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Oh-kay…
“Understood.” Dar nodded politely at the trees before gently pulling the delicate metal chain connected to Emilia’s choker.
She followed him obediently down the marble stairs, she on his right side and Cubbie on his left. She was glad her role didn’t require her to mask her anxiety, because there was no way she could look as composed as the two experts beside her. Dar was in his element, and the rabbisaurus might as well be out for a walk in the park.
As the double doors began opening before them, Emilia took a deep breath before exhaling slowly.
Showtime.
The second her eyes registered what lay beyond, Emilia gaped once more.
A mansion, you called it? Scratch that thought, Emi: you’re in a palace.
Gigantic columns like the ones in Ancient Egyptian temples supported a ceiling even higher than the one outside. Huge chandeliers hung low and reflected the pale-blue light of the torches, revealing intricate stone carvings on the ceiling and colorful wall paintings. Golden cages were levitating in between the chandeliers with mind-boggling creatures inside. And spread throughout the enormous hall were aliens of all shapes and sizes, each with another alien chained to their side. The diversity of galactic life on Funk’fru had prepared Emilia for the sight of so many extraterrestrials in one place, but here their clothing was so over the top that she felt underdressed.
A waiter approached their trio the second they walked away from the entrance, Cubbie now in her arms. The alien had the same froggy looks as the guards at the landing pad but unlike them, he gave Dar a neutral rather than suspicious onceover and didn’t say anything. He only brought closer the tray levitating over his hand for Dar to choose food that looked as unappetizing as hell.
Dar went for a bite-size sponge the color of vomit and ate it right away. When another waiter, this one offering drinks, showed up right after, Dar selected a shot of thick brown-colored liquid that he downed without hesitation.
Emilia was glad no one expected her to try any of the food and drinks, because she would have seriously struggled to keep up appearances. And to keep down what she had eaten.
Once the waiters left them alone, it was time to mingle. According to Dar, the hosts would eventually approach him to get acquainted. If that didn’t happen, a speech to address the guests might provide a good incriminating recording. Until that happened, they had to stay and collect as many images of slavers as possible.
As they moved across the hall, Emilia found herself focusing on the chained aliens rather than their abductors and ‘owners.’ What she saw made her even more determined to continue with the mission, as scary as it was when she thought about the number of criminals and guards between her and the exit.
The poor creatures were either terrified or completely out of it, their eyes glassy and their bodies moving on autopilot. There were both males and females among them as well as individuals that appeared a mixture of both. All were barely dressed. Emilia was probably the most covered-up armpiece in the hall.
She also appeared to be the only human present, which could explain the looks she was getting. Curious, covetous, leering – she had her pick. Dar was getting looks, too, mostly envious and suspicious ones.
Want to know how this unfamiliar slaver got his hands on a species none of you have? He offered the ride of a lifetime on hisDickion, that’s how.
Inner jokes out of nerves aside, it was terrifying how easily humans could be snatched. If these criminals weren’t stopped, alien abductions on Earth would soon be not a laughing matter but an everyday occurrence.
Their team had walked slowly through the center of the hall for no more than two minutes when Jabba the Hutt approached Dar.
It is decided: George Lucashastraveled to space.
The similarities between the alien standing before her and Jabba were simply too many to be a coincidence. The main differences boiled down to the number of eyes – Sluggy here had six small ones – and the lack of a Princess Leia beside him. Instead, the chain in his slimy hand was attached to the collar of a Na’vi male fromAvatar, just green-skinned and dressed in a strategically placed red leaf.
“Good cycle, you lucky son of an unchaste Luvian female!” the green blob said through a creepy grin, one line of eyes focused on Dar and the other, on Emilia.
“Good cycle to you too. Who do I have the honor of addressing?” Dar’s tone was boastful – so not like him.
My man is really good at this undercover stuff. No wonder he unintentionally fooled me into thinking he was a jerk back on Earth.
Jabba puffed his chest up. “Jurra Halsik’hian.”
“It is an honor indeed. To turn the abduction of Magis into a specialty is a brave move worthy of respect.”
Jurra’s grin threatened to split his face in half, while the captive beside him snarled at Dar.
“Now, now, behave, my pet. Unless you want a taste of agony this early in the cycle?”
The Magi bared his teeth at his captor, but lowered his head obediently.
Hold on, green guy, we’ll set you free… eventually.
Dar had assured Emilia that once the slavers got arrested, their victims would be sent home and offered the financial and psychological support needed to recover. As much as it was possible to come back to your normal self after such an experience, that was.
