Stepping into the familiarity of the spaceport, Rafe spent a moment scanning the almost empty area, just another sign this way station was remote and not on any major trade routes, not any more.

Usually, the outer rim of the space station was always the busiest, as all the docking arms spilled into this general area. Only two dozen or so ships were docked, a tiny amount considering the available berths. The loss of the Lhavva galaxy when the star went super nova killed most of the business coming to Triple Cock—Rafe’s nickname for the place.

Still, a lack of ships didn’t mean the place was entirely empty. By some standards, it could even be considered busy—if you’d been raised in a small village, in a remote area. Various small groups of entities moved about, along with small lift vehicles carrying pallets and, in some cases, passengers who found too much walking a chore.

No one took immediate notice of them, always a bonus. While the way stations were supposed to be neutral zones, how neutral depended on those who owned and ran the joints.

Some space stations prided themselves on being bustling commerce centers, and as such, they allowed no untoward actions, not even robbery or murder. Other pit stops, however, succumbed to the lure of the mighty credit and turned a blind eye to things that happened in shadowy corners, things he sometimes played a part in.

Rafe wasn’t a stranger to the Triple Cock, having visited this station before. The current owner, according to rumor, wasn’t a strict rule enforcer, but he frowned on full-scale attacks and bombings—in other words, anything that might cost money to repair or affect the structural integrity of his domain. When it came to kidnapping, theft, and discreet assassinations, the Triple Cock owner tended to turn a blind eye, which meant Rafe should keep close watch. He’d not forgotten the bounty hunters on Earth or that trio of ships intent on attacking. Crimes of opportunity or something more? He hoped to find out from his informant.

To Rafe, everything appeared normal, business as usual, but his definition of normal wasn’t anything close to Emma’s. He couldn’t help but note the expression on her face as she took in her very first alien spaceport. Her eyes widened with wonder. Her lips parted on a gasp.

Had Rafe ever looked upon anything with such curiosity and delight? For a moment, he wondered what she thought. How did she see the things he took for granted? He had grown up with this. To him, this all seemed very normal and boring.

This is, but what of when I first arrived on her planet and saw the lushness of the land? I can still recall the field I wandered into, the lush grass a spongy carpet under my feet, the air fragrant with sweet greenery.

He’d loved it, wanted to roll in that grassy field then dig it up and bring it on board to covet. Which was why he’d changed locations that very night to somewhere barren and dry.

Some might wonder why he would leave something he’d considered a veritable paradise. Because he had to. Because he was Rhomanii. A traveler. A man with no home and no roots. This simple fact meant that, one day, no matter how much he loved it, no matter how much this paradise planet called to him, Rafe would have to move on. His kind always moved on.

But sometimes I wish I didn’t have to.

He shook his head, shaking the maudlin whining free. Agitated by his own thoughts, he grabbed Emma by the arm, probably tighter than necessary. It seemed important he stake his claim, here and now, show those who cast glances his way just who she belonged to. She’s mine. It was stake a claim in public or toss her over a shoulder and cart her shapely ass back to the ship.

A knot in his gut proclaimed danger lurked, and not just for him, but her. Especially for Emma. It seemed the height of folly to have Emma out in the open, visible to the miscreants that surely lurked. A human, a prized Earth-born human, a lure to anybody who wanted to make money.

A delicacy for those who liked sweet and fresh meat.

A temptation to anything with a dick.

Admit it, you don’t want anybody else to touch her.

Of course he didn’t, at least not until he got a turn. He’d put in the time. If anyone got to taste her, it should be him, and he’d do it in a way that left her alive and not digesting in some alien’s gut.

Staking his claim was for selfish reasons—that was what he told himself—and yet, even he couldn’t deny the realization that he’d never before worried about a female companion. His mother? Sure. Sisters too. But they were family. He was expected to protect them. Emma, though, she was…an enigma to him.

An enigma he’d crack, just like he’d crack the other secret he’d set out to conquer.

At least no one knows what I have aboard.

“Stay close to me,” he muttered under his breath as he strode toward the nearest access tunnel leading into the belly of the station. “The last thing I need is for you to wander off. In a place like this, I might never find you again. Don’t make me waste my time looking for you.”

“I am not a child. I will not wander off or get lost.” She said it with bravado. As if she’d ever admit defeat.

Brave words and yet he noticed she stuck close to him. Perhaps she wasn’t as certain of her decision to check out the place. Too late now.

Returning her to the ship might prove riskier. Her presence would have been noted. The defense on his ship was top notch, when working. Problem was he couldn’t rely on it, just like he couldn’t rely on his computer. He truly had to wonder about his AI’s mental health.

I swear Annabelle got infected by some kind of worm from that damnable Internet. She’d gotten much too big for her circuits, and he needed to rein her back in. He really needed to speak to the mechanics about her current attitude and takeover of his vessel.

She might have gotten us through that wormhole, but I don’t know if I like her just ignoring my commands. Just like he didn’t like Emma’s ability to make him ignore his better judgment.

Bringing her onto the station and showing her off was a bad idea. He’d probably have to fight to keep her.

He could use the exercise.

An extremely jointed Lorffn rotated his red head to continue looking at Emma as it passed by. Rafe ensured it noted his hand resting on the blaster at his hip. He patted it and smiled, a full-toothed grin that said, Bring it.

The Lorffn declined the invitation and faced forward. A shame.

Maybe Rafe should nudge her out into the open and see if anything took the bait. Best to get it out of the way early and remind any others who got ideas why they should abstain.

Emma clung to his side and whispered, “I feel like everyone is looking at me.”

“And how would you know? Are you looking at them?” he countered.

“I’m not staring.” She paused. “Much. But I mean, come on, have you seen some of these guys? They’re like something out of a Hell movie.”

“Ah yes, those monsters your media depicted as demons. A nice race for the most part, but they do have a thing for human women. And the women love them. Something about extra shit happening at the head and base of their cocks. It supposedly stimulates a woman’s clitoris and interior sweet spot at the same time.”

Her eyes widened. “Are you seriously talking about that out here?” She slapped his arm. “That is totally inappropriate.”

“Oh, come on, admit it. You’d want to know. It’s what everyone wonders at one point when they meet another race. Even I’m not immune.”

“That’s because you’re a man. Men are programmed to see everything in terms of sex. As in can I or can’t I?”

“I always do. Eventually.” Wink. “But keep in mind, the fact that I’m patient doesn’t mean everyone you encounter in here will be. There are people you really should avoid. They might seem nice at first and feed you pretty lies, but don’t fall for it. Out here, people seldom do things because they’re nice. There is a price. There’s always a price.”

“If you’re trying to scare me, it’s working.” She glued herself closer. “This is a bit more intense than I expected.”

“And yet you begged to come.”

“Of course I did. I won’t get anywhere hiding myself. I have to learn to handle myself in this new public eventually.”

“I guess there are worse places we could have tested your first excursion. At least if it comes to a fight out, we won’t have as many forces arrayed against us.”

“You think it might come down to a fight?”

“I should hope so. A pirate’s reputation wouldn’t be complete without one. Add in a sexy woman—”

“You calling me sexy?”

“Are you fishing for compliments?”

She tossed her head in reply.

He almost laughed. Best not show the wench she amused him. She probably already knew.

“Are you taking note of the area we’re docked in?” he asked, changing the thread of the conversation. They’d almost reached the access tunnel, and it occurred to him that, perhaps, he should teach her some of the fundamentals of spaceport survival.

“If by take note you mean the Roman numeral above the door we came out of, then yes.”

“Glad to see you peeked. Now also make sure you memorize this one.” He angled his head towards the arch.

“I’m looking at it, but that symbol won’t be as easy to remember.”

“Try because, if you need to find the ship, you don’t want to take the wrong tunnel and end up somewhere you shouldn’t.”

“How about if I just stick close to you?”

“Good plan. I’ll protect you.” His chest swelled.

So she pricked it. “Let’s hope you can since you were too pussy to let me have something to defend myself with.”

“I’d say your tongue is sharp enough.”

“Actually”—she whirled and leaned in, her warm breath brushing his skin—“it’s very wet and wild.” She uttered a husky laugh.

“That was wicked.” He shook his head. “And cruel. You are a tease.”

“So are you.”

“Ah, but the difference is I’m not holding back. I’m ready and willing to go all the way.”

“Good for you. Now, what about if I can’t find those symbols? How will I find my way back?”

“I thought the plan was to stick together.”

“It is. But”—she shrugged—“you never know. Shit happens. I mean, have you seen what’s happened so far? Expect anything. Or expect the worst. Then you won’t be so shocked.”

A funny speech that he noted was uttered with excitement. The wench wanted some excitement. How perfect was that? “If we do happen to get separated…” Because he’d lost his head, literally. “See those screens by the arches?” He pointed to a pulsing yellow square. “They also serve as maps because these stations can get confusing, especially as many of them have been added to over the years. Just ask it to find our docking bay.”

“Got it, Captain.” She presented a mock salute. “Now that we’re here, where do we have to go first?”

“We need some parts. Lots of parts or I’ll never hear the end of it from my ship.” A ship that also needed a machine equivalent of a lobotomy. Some personality was nice, but too much was a problem.

“I’ve noticed Annabelle is rather opinionated.”

“Yet she’s not supposed to be. I blame the Earth’s Internet.”

Emma giggled. “You should have used some parental controls.”

“But then I couldn’t have surfed my porn.” He winked.

The wench giggled even louder, very cute, and yet it veered too many gazes their way.

“Quiet down, you’re drawing attention.” Keep it up. His fingers were itchy. No one gave him any sport. Pity.

“Sorry, Captain.” Snicker. “So where do we buy the ship parts?”

“First, the repair shop then the marketplace. Never know what you might find or get for a steal.”

“Speaking of steal, I’m surprised you’re willing to leave the ship like that,” she said. “I mean, you didn’t actually lock the door on it or anything, which begs the question, can you lock the door of a UFO?”

“And it’s that kind of talk that’s going to give away the fact you’re not from around here.”

“Well, maybe if someone would have taught me more than the fact gypsy dudes from space are always horny then we wouldn’t have to have these talks in public.”

She did have a point, and he grudgingly admitted it. “I guess it’s past time you began to learn more about the cultures you’re going to encounter.” Kind of late now and partially his fault. The ship was not designed to teach. The things he had to keep himself entertained weren’t in a language she could understand. The ones with pictures would enhance only one aspect of her education.

“How am I going to learn? Is there like some implant we can buy that will make me instantly learn all kinds of stuff?”

“No. Yes.”

“Which one is it?”

“No, there’s no implant that can tell you everything. That kind of overload tends to fry a brain.” And yet the scientists kept trying. “But yes, there is one that can help with languages. We should probably get you one of those because, while most folks have the implant and thus can speak galactic English—which by the way, we totally began on Earth—there are some who are purists and will refuse to do anything but speak in their birth tongue.”

“Will an implant teach me Spanish? My teacher used to say if I got dumped in a Spanish-only-speaking village I’d starve before I learned to speak it.”

“You won’t need Spanish, but you will learn Chinese. It’s the second biggest common language, other than English.” Their symbol alphabet, too, was eerily similar.

“So if I can’t have a super cool implant that makes me super smart, then how will I learn the rest?”

“Books and maybe a few programs we can throw on the computer. While we are at the market, we’ll look into getting you some literature. Something to get you to lose that wide-eyed-girl-from-Earth look.”

“Can you blame the look? I mean, come on…” She leaned in close and whispered, “We just passed a purple blob. With like a hundred eyeballs.”

“That blob, as you called it, is actually a shapeshifter. Those of that race can assume any form they like.”

“And he chose that?” Her nose wrinkled.

“She, which is distinguished by her mauve color, chooses that form because it allows her to pass unmolested by groping hands and gives her a 360-degree view.”

“That’s actually quite brilliant then,” she murmured, peering behind them, her tone thoughtful.

The narrow corridors they used meant they passed close to the beings also about their business. Following the signage, Rafe located the mechanical shop, where he ordered parts, plus some. He also made sure to complain loudly about, “Piece of junk. Can’t go two galaxies without something breaking down.”

The mechanic, a one-eyed fellow with more metal parts than flesh, grunted. “That’s how it is with the older ones. But at least you can fix it. These newer vessels...” The fellow spat something wet and thick onto the floor. It sizzled. “They have a sensor blow and you’re waiting way too long for a replacement.”

“Say, have you worked much with the AI units? The ones coming out of Sylika?” Rafe posed casually.

“More and more ships are getting them.”

“Have you heard of any problems with them?”

The mechanic’s one eye narrowed; the other, an orb that swirled with color, fixed him. “Problem how?”

“Attitude problem, as in talking back. Doing stuff without being ordered.”

“They are programmed to be autonomous. It allows ships to run with smaller crews as they monitor all aspects of the ship.”

“Anything more than that?”

“Are you having a problem?” the mechanic asked. “I could take a look.”

Let him on to his ship to hook directly to the computer? That was asking a lot of trust and his gut said hell no. “Nope. No problem. I was thinking of getting one, but you know, you hear rumors.”

The reply to that was a grunt.

Perhaps his issue with Annabelle was an anomaly. Or perhaps he overreacted, not used to having a machine that spoke to him as a person.

“How long to get those parts delivered? A few hura?”

“Most of it, yes, a few hura, but the refrigeration unit could take longer.”

That made him frown. He’d not planned on lingering. “See what you can do. I need that piece of junk outfitted.”

Only when they left did Emma lean close. “The Annabelle isn’t that bad. Why act like she is?”

Such naivety. He still had to teach her the basics. “If you own a luxury car with all the bells and whistles, do you go around bad neighborhoods bragging about it?” He arched a brow as he waited for her reply.

It was mumbled. “Good point.”

Yes, another point for him because he was great. So great he missed the body that darted from the shadows and yanked Emma away from him before he could move!

Okay, he didn’t miss it. He totally saw it, but he let it happen. Emma needed to respect the danger here and he totally wanted to see what would happen next.

And if he had to step in and play hero? Didn’t Earth girls always reward them?