Chapter Eighteen
The first impression of Yelmurn shocked Taly. From space, the planet looked like a green jewel. Stepping onto it, she discovered only brown lifelessness.
“It’s a spaceport,” Ranvir said quietly, knowing what she was thinking. “This area is where the less ‘attractive’ ships are berthed.”
Taly turned and looked at the Troubadour with its long sleek lines and reflective surface.
“She stands out like a power crystal in space,” Ranvir agreed as he pulled her hood up to cover her hair. The cape shielded the majority of her face while allowing her to see. “Which is why we need to hurry before the tower realizes she’s not the Celerity.”
Pulling up his hood, he guided her across the tarmac and into the city’s dusty streets surrounding it. Moving quickly, his eyes continually scanned for threats.
Yelmurn was mainly a peaceful agricultural planet, but every planet had its dark underbelly, which is why the Cyborg Elite were here. As they moved deeper into the city, the streets changed from dirt to stone, which widened into its central market.
Taly gasped, taking in the scene before her. The market was filled with colorful stalls set close together, so customers had to follow designated paths. Each stall had pendants flying from the point of their roofs, listing the goods they sold.
It was a symphony of sights, sounds, and smells that had Taly smiling from ear to ear. She loved places like this. They fed her creativity, so she made a point of visiting them on all her tour stops.
Ranvir’s grip tightened on her arm when she paused at a stall full of beautiful scarves. She looked up.
“We don’t have time for that,” he murmured, pulling her away before the owner noticed her interest.
She knew that was true. Still, she couldn’t resist one last look at the stall. As Ranvir led her deeper into the market, a vendor would occasionally step in front of them in an attempt to stop them and hawk their wares. It only took a glance from Ranvir for them to quickly realize their mistake and scurry away.
“There.” Ranvir gestured down the path with his chin to a stall with a banner proclaiming it had an intergalactic link.
Taly took in the cafe with its bright blue and white panels extended out to provide shade for its customers sitting outside at little tables and was delighted.
“Oh, it’s charming, and look, it says they have homemade buns.” She clapped her hands together. “We have to try them.”
“We don’t have time for food,” he told her gruffly.
“But…”
“No, Taly. We’re risking enough just being here,” he reminded her, his gaze scanning for threats. “We send the message, then get back to the ship.”
For a moment, she’d forgotten the danger they were in.
“Welcome,” a blue-skinned female greeted with a beaming smile, “I’m Vanni. It’s a beautiful day. Would you like to sit on our patio?”
“We need a comm station,” Ranvir told her abruptly. “One with an intergalactic link.”
“Of course.” The greeter’s smile dimmed at his gruffness. “Right this way.”
Ranvir silently followed behind Taly as they were led to a station near the back of the cafe. He noted who looked up as they passed and who ignored them.
“This is perfect,” Taly told the female. “Thank you.”
“Your server…”
“We don’t need one.” Ranvir cut her off, his hard look causing her to bump into another table as she hurried away.
“That wasn’t necessary,” Taly murmured as she sat down at the surprisingly clean station.
“We’re not here to make friends,” he told her.
“We’re not here to make enemies either. We have enough of them.” Sliding the credit strip into its slot, she waited for the system to boot up. Once it did, she entered the channel and destination for her message on the keyboard. When it was verified, she approved the transfer of credits from the credit strip and began typing her message.
‘Hi, big brother. I hope you are well with everything that’s happening right now. I’d love to talk with you and catch up. Call HOME when you can. Love you, your little sis.’