The woman, Gavra, sighed, and rolled her one eye. Proof.
The holo image flickered again, and then the crowd gasped collectively as the sleek, dark lines of a Black Wraith ship appeared.
He swore under his breath. 8th Wing protected even the images of Black Wraiths, ensuring that PRAXIS didnt get enough visual information to make educated guesses about the ships construction.
But this scavenger clearly cared less about 8th Wing security.
That satisfy you pieces of shit? sneered Gavra.
Show us the pilot, a barrel-chested man shouted.
Lieutenant Jur appeared in the holo image. Except for a fading bruise on her jaw, she looked relatively unharmed. Kell was expecting the crude catcalls, the vulgar suggestionsCelene Jur, with her long, dark hair and silver eyes, was a beautiful woman in addition to being an excellent pilot. She glared defiantly at the camera. The crowd reacted to her appearance just as he anticipated they would, but it still made him want to bash peoples heads in with a barstool.
Shes stunning, Mara murmured beside him. Gavra could net a lot of creds for her.
He made a noncommittal noise, not trusting himself to speak.
If all 8th Wing pilots are that fuckable, Barrel-chest hooted, Im gonna join up tomorrow.
Kell didnt realize he was growling until people nearby started edging away, glancing nervously in his direction.
Mara stretched up on her toes to whisper in his ear. Throttle down, Kell. Well need that fury,
later . She held his gaze meaningfully.
He nodded, and took a deep breath. Later. Save it for Lieutenant Jurs rescue. And recovering the Black Wraith ship.
The face of Gavra reappeared in the holo image. Thats all you galactic asses get for free. Both the ship and the woman will be on display at the auction site. She glanced down, presumably at a keyboard, because suddenly numbers began to scroll at the bottom of the holo. These are the coordinates for the auction location. Im holding the auction in five solar hoursenergy storm or no.
If you arent here by the time bidding starts, youre screwed. We clear?
The mob grumbled its assent.
Bring your creds. Gavra smiled unpleasantly. Then the transmission winked out.
More muttering from the crowd before it began to disperse. To the annoyance of Kura,
few bought drinks as people drifted toward the waiting elevator.
Kell led Mara to an unoccupied corner. Can we make it to the auction site in five solar hours?
Without the storm blocking us in, Id say no problem. She planted her hands on her hips,
considering. Just fly up, out of the atmosphere, and fly back down. A quick, straight shot. Storm hasnt let up, though. Meaning were going to have to stay under it, adjust our speed accordingly.
Well make it.
Yesbut its going to be a squeaker, time-wise.
So we need to get the hell out of here. Every minute costs us. He glanced over toward the crowd, thick around the elevator. It was going to take an hour just to get out of the damned club. The crowds moving as slow as a drunk laiskasloth . He looked around, eyes alert, attentive. Theres got to be another way out of here.
Wouldnt be much of a smugglers club if there wasnt.
Somehow, out of everyone here, I figured you would be the one to know the location of this hidden exit.
She grinned wickedly at him. Very sharp, pleasure slave. I made a good purchasemore to you besides muscles and a pretty face.
He raised an eyebrow. Pretty is the least of my qualities.
True.
He wasnt vain, but that stung a little.
Never seen a more gorgeous man. She said this softly, almost too softly to be heard, with a kind of shyness he never would have anticipated.
Their gazes held, and he was lost in the crystal green of her eyes, the depth there. She showed him a rare fragilityand he understood how privileged he was to be given this extraordinary insight.
It took strength to show her vulnerability, much more so than bluster and bravado. It was humbling.
Precious.
There wasnt time to explore this further. They had to get to her ship and reach the auction site before the bidding began.
Youre our guidance system. Take us to that secret exit.
She nodded, taking his hand. Yet he couldnt help but feel as though he had squandered a rare opportunity.
Mara guided them through the club, away from the crowds waiting to leave. She slipped into one of the smaller side rooms, empty except for a cleaning bot listlessly circling the floor. Booths and tables stood waiting for the next round of patrons eager to drink themselves into nothingness. The performance platform in the center of the room seemed bereft without people writhing atop it in the throes of impersonal pleasure.
Never been here in the morning. Mara glanced around and grimaced. Shabby. Sad. This place was a kind ofhome. Emphasis on was . She strode toward a booth in the corner.
Thats a shame, he muttered without remorse. She deserved better than this pit.
Once they reached the booth in the corner, Mara braced her hands on the round table. She turned it like a giant wheel. It stuck for a moment, so he stepped beside her and lent his strength to rotating the table. There was a hissing sound, and then a panel in the wall beside the booth slid open, revealing a passageway.