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Chapter One

Transit Station Three

Just inside Imperial Space

Year 6296, Saurellian Calendar

“How’s Giselle this evening?” Vetch asked expansively as he walked into the bar Giselle winked at hihter captain’s usual run, and he carin and leaned forward across the bar, flashing her cleage at hi better all the time What can I do for you?”

“My friend and I needed a coht of Manya’s,” Vetch said, ga to ht his glance darting doards Men always looked at her chest first She was used to it by now

“They’re still there, hon,” she whispered conspiratorially “Don’t worry, I check on ’e, just for you”

Vetch blushed, and she gave a deep, rich laugh Then he started laughing, too, and to her surprise he leaned forward and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek

“You’re one in a million, Giselle,” he said “But I have business to take care of this evening Can you set upbusiness is thirsty work”

“Is there anything that’s not thirsty work for you, Vetch?” a ht

Vetch had always seehter captain His face was hard, angular, and a nasty scar twisted one side of it, pulling his features into a permanent snarl

Startled, she looked down quickly, but she couldn’t seem to take her eyes off him He wore tall, black boots that sees Leather was expensive… Her eyes hened pair of black breeches that clung to every lean s A loose, black shirt draped his upper body, and he carried a leather jacket cradled in one araze ht her attention again, and she found herself looking at it with e like that, and why hadn’t he gotten it fixed? He cleared his throat fully Embarrassed, she flashed a smile at him She had been rude He didn’t smile back In fact, he didn’t respond to her at all Instead he looked away, checking out the roo trouble Her intuition pricked, and she made a mental note to keep an eye on hi, she’d bet her last credit it would coht with you,” she said to hi not to let him see how uncomfortable he made her She’d be damned if she’d show him weakness

“Thanks, Giselle,” he said softly He rolled her na its taste and sound