* * *
The door to the command deck swished open and An Kohli stepped through.
“What the freaking hell have you been doing?” demanded Gala. “You look like you’ve been working in an abattoir.”
“Tell me something I don’t know.” An Kohli stepped delicately around the room, trying not to let her blood soaked clothing touch anything. Gala kept the command deck spotless and there were some unwritten rules that An Kohli had to adhere to, even on her own ship, if she wanted to avoid her co-pilot quitting on her.
The door swished open a second time and Thomaso stepped onto the command deck, squeezing in behind An Kohli’s willowy frame. “That’s him safely bagged and tagged.” He reported.
An Kohli was pleased to see her co-pilot almost melt into a puddle of lust as she caught sight of the Aloisan. “Who… who is thish, I mean this.” She stammered.
“This is Thomaso, without whom I would have struggled to capture our target.”
“Actually I’m not Thomaso.” The Aloisan interjected. “Sorry, An Kohli, as I told you earlier that was just my cover name. If he hadn’t been killed Biggar Fro was the type who would take his spite out on the hides of my family, so I couldn’t risk him knowing my real identity.”
“Which is?” An Gala gave him the sort of look that suggested she didn’t really care as long he was soon to be found naked in her bed.
The Aloisan ignored her obvious lust and directed his answer to An Kohli. “My name is Veritan. Very pleased to meet you both.”
“Veritan. I’ve heard of that name. One of the up and coming generation of bounty hunters.” An Kohli gave her grudging admiration.
“Thank you for saying so. I have done quite well over the last couple of years.”
“Well, your role in getting Biggar Fro will help to further build your reputation.”
“Not always a good thing. If my name becomes recognised then so will my face. That was a disadvantage for you tonight, and not just because I spotted you. The casino manager tipped Biggar Fro off about your presence.”
“That oily little…. I should have guessed. I’ve been there before.”
“See what I mean?”
“Well, enough of that. I have to go and burn this outfit. Even if it lived up to the manufacturer’s guarantee regarding the ease of stain removal I could never bring myself to wear it again. Then I think a shower, or maybe several showers, are needed to get Biggar Fro’s blood off my skin. Oh, Veritan, what do you know of the Fell?”
“Not a lot. I’ve heard stuff about them, of course. They’re all over the newsfeeds. Biggar Fro seemed to be a great admirer. He thinks… or rather thought, it would be good for business.”
“Well, considering what his business was that’s probably true. Gala, show Veritan the newsfeeds while I’m taking my shower. Oh, and set a course to Dysac. We still have a bounty to collect.”