“But your parents?”
He shrugs. “I don’t know. They were different.”
“Well, I’m glad they made you.” I lean toward him as we follow Aurelius toward Earth. “Now, tell me why you didn’t mention the portal we took to Lazario.”
He kisses me. “Portals are considered unregulated weapons.”
“So they’re illegal.”
“For everyone except Amphirs like Aurelius. They have lived the longest among the stars of all of us. Because it is a way of life for them, they are permitted to use them.”
“But you—”
He chews a lip. “MONA can do it. I don’t know why.”
“Maybe your people developed portals, too?”
He shakes his head. “Don’t ask. MONA doesn’t know either. It has just always been a part of the system.
“Now, hold tight. I’m going to get us into jump speed so we can get this over with.” He talks with Aurelius, and soon the ship is racing toward Earth.
“Fifteen minutes,” MONA reports.
Elix calls the Sol Federation and gives them his report.
“When you arrive at the complex, please stay put,” the officer says. “We’ll handle the ghostfleet if they approach. But I doubt they’ll enter our territory.”
Elix drops us out of hyperspace.
“I’ve heard of them only offhand,” I admit. “But they had amazing ships, so I can’t see what they might want with me or my father’s gold and credits. I have nothing on my own, so that’s got to be the only reason.”
“Greed doesn’t have a limit. It’s sort of in the definition.” Elix gets clearance to land and docks us in a different hangar than before. When we enter, a pair of ABR guards greet us.
At the end of the hallway, I see holographic ribbon, sectioning it off.
“Still cleaning up?” Elix asks.
“Their blood stains everything. You made quite a mess,” a guard grumbles.
“UV burn bar should smoke it right off.” Elix pats the guard’s shoulder.
Aurelius steps in from the adjoining dock. “‘Sup.”
An officer slaps a device to his chest that ignites a red-violet hue. “No discharging at the complex,bro.”
“Eh, you’re no fun.” Aurelius sulks toward us. “What good is a big purple alien who can’t use his skills to have a little fun?”
“You’ll have your turn, Prince Aurelius,” an officer says. “Next month. Do not get ahead of yourself. You’re here as security.”
“Right, right.” He sighs. “Well, where do we get some grub? All that working and racing has me starving.”
I survey him as Elix leads us to the lunch hall. “I don’t think you know the meaning of that word. You’re huge, Aura.”
Elix grumbles, so I take his hand and squeeze it. “Do not forget, Aura, what I told you about Zariah and many of the other females here.”
“My apologies. I was not always this healthy,” Aura says. “But I will be more sensitive, Miss Zariah. Thank you for the reminder. My mouth can run away from me sometimes.”
When we enter the lunch hall, the whole room quiets. Then someone whispers.
