terminal. He had his head and sword hidden beneath a dark cloak as he worked.
"Forty-seven meters and closing," Boost announced.
Trevor completed the search and found that the killer's ship had actually passed through recently but had left thirteen days ago. Another missed opportunity. He slammed the computer access shut and left as inconspicuously as he could.
He patted Boost's head. "Good work."
After finding a burial service that handled Ecath and Nymarian rites, he had to excuse himself at the service station for another one of his tremor attacks. This one had put him on his back and almost caused him to black out. To make matters worse, his veins were turning a lighter shade of blue and he had a headache he couldn't shake off—more reminders his time was running out.
The two pushed their way through the crowd of traders, visitors, and locals. He nearly tripped over the large roots of a Loira'lei tree, which pushed through the cement walkway. Flowers were in full bloom and floating through the air, bringing acidic rose flavors to the air.
The cities of Flora had pretty heavy speeder traffic too. Hover cars and bikes thundered overhead on aerial roads. Ground level had crowded foot traffic. With the glowing blue leaves of the Loira'lei growing around buildings into the sky, it was truly a city that was always aglow. It never slept, and on this side of the world, it was forever night. He placed a hand on a nearby tree’s bark and heard the odd whispers of the tree. It eased his pain with a song he couldn’t understand.
Then, he wound his way around the bustling streets and found the bar he recognized. As soon as he entered, he heard the usual grumbles of "Earthborn." It was a slur throughout this part of the universe; "as stupid as an Earthborn" was a common insult. Just another aide-mémoire that those still left from Earth had lost their world and their respect in the universe.
Trevor pulled up a seat at the bar and ordered two Ecath dishes with which he was familiar. Since it was always dark on this side of Flora, it was always time for breakfast.
The barkeep was a female Ecath, a deviously beautiful, long-eared, furry-skinned version of Daphkalian. She, like all Ecath, was a tall mix of feline features though the female’s ears were as long as a rabbit's. "Impatient to die like all Earthborn," she sneered.
Trev realized he was cutting in line to order at the bar. He apologized and waited his turn.
He realized he wasn't the only flight crew member out to get a quick meal. There were some common alien species like Asterions; Preslich, which were like large thin snakes with two arms and legs; other beautifully feral Ecath; and Gymon, which were a purple-skinned telepathic race that looked like what might happen if whales and humans were combined into something. One large Gymon in particular was leering at him over his drink, wide-set eyes unblinking, and skin appearing sickly wet and slippery. Trev turned away.
Boost popped up next to him. Oblivious.
"Did you get the usual supplies?" Trevor asked him.
Boost nodded.
An order of oddly colored meat and eggs appeared before him. He picked up a fork and knife and went to work. Like a starving man, Trev plowed through the meal in minutes. He washed it down with an orange moko, which was basically all alcohol with a bite of citrus.
"Ready?" Trevor asked pushing himself from the bar.
Trev paid his bill at the exit, scanning his wristband.
"Should we get some more…" Trevor began. His voice trailed off when he saw Daphkalian a good hundred meters away talking to a dark-cloaked figure. He could really be talking to anyone, but Trev felt in his gut it was sinister.
Daphkalian nodded a few times and pointed toward the dock where they were parked. As he continued to speak, he kept checking around
"Forty-seven meters and closing," Boost announced.
Trevor completed the search and found that the killer's ship had actually passed through recently but had left thirteen days ago. Another missed opportunity. He slammed the computer access shut and left as inconspicuously as he could.
He patted Boost's head. "Good work."
After finding a burial service that handled Ecath and Nymarian rites, he had to excuse himself at the service station for another one of his tremor attacks. This one had put him on his back and almost caused him to black out. To make matters worse, his veins were turning a lighter shade of blue and he had a headache he couldn't shake off—more reminders his time was running out.
The two pushed their way through the crowd of traders, visitors, and locals. He nearly tripped over the large roots of a Loira'lei tree, which pushed through the cement walkway. Flowers were in full bloom and floating through the air, bringing acidic rose flavors to the air.
The cities of Flora had pretty heavy speeder traffic too. Hover cars and bikes thundered overhead on aerial roads. Ground level had crowded foot traffic. With the glowing blue leaves of the Loira'lei growing around buildings into the sky, it was truly a city that was always aglow. It never slept, and on this side of the world, it was forever night. He placed a hand on a nearby tree’s bark and heard the odd whispers of the tree. It eased his pain with a song he couldn’t understand.
Then, he wound his way around the bustling streets and found the bar he recognized. As soon as he entered, he heard the usual grumbles of "Earthborn." It was a slur throughout this part of the universe; "as stupid as an Earthborn" was a common insult. Just another aide-mémoire that those still left from Earth had lost their world and their respect in the universe.
Trevor pulled up a seat at the bar and ordered two Ecath dishes with which he was familiar. Since it was always dark on this side of Flora, it was always time for breakfast.
The barkeep was a female Ecath, a deviously beautiful, long-eared, furry-skinned version of Daphkalian. She, like all Ecath, was a tall mix of feline features though the female’s ears were as long as a rabbit's. "Impatient to die like all Earthborn," she sneered.
Trev realized he was cutting in line to order at the bar. He apologized and waited his turn.
He realized he wasn't the only flight crew member out to get a quick meal. There were some common alien species like Asterions; Preslich, which were like large thin snakes with two arms and legs; other beautifully feral Ecath; and Gymon, which were a purple-skinned telepathic race that looked like what might happen if whales and humans were combined into something. One large Gymon in particular was leering at him over his drink, wide-set eyes unblinking, and skin appearing sickly wet and slippery. Trev turned away.
Boost popped up next to him. Oblivious.
"Did you get the usual supplies?" Trevor asked him.
Boost nodded.
An order of oddly colored meat and eggs appeared before him. He picked up a fork and knife and went to work. Like a starving man, Trev plowed through the meal in minutes. He washed it down with an orange moko, which was basically all alcohol with a bite of citrus.
"Ready?" Trevor asked pushing himself from the bar.
Trev paid his bill at the exit, scanning his wristband.
"Should we get some more…" Trevor began. His voice trailed off when he saw Daphkalian a good hundred meters away talking to a dark-cloaked figure. He could really be talking to anyone, but Trev felt in his gut it was sinister.
Daphkalian nodded a few times and pointed toward the dock where they were parked. As he continued to speak, he kept checking around
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