Alzigo shook his head. “It was abandoned on your planet at the early stages of it being Infused. Any claim of ownership was forfeited the moment they broke galactic law and brought it down to the surface.”

“That’s a relief,” Lana said.

“Yes. It would be much more reasonable to assume the newcomer came looking for the equipment that was left on the moon.”

Lana frowned. “That’s not much better.”

“They are welcome to try and get it,” Bulco growled, his fingers cradling the grip of his giant revolver.

Their host shook his head. “This station is neutral territory. I will allow no violence here. From either side.”

“Understood,” Nori said. “Can we rely on your discretion, keeping what you know of us to yourself?”

“Of course, as I said, this is neutral territory.”

“In that case, I think we should be leaving.”

Alzigo nodded. “The last of the Trinium is being converted and most of the ammunition has already been loaded onto your ship. It should only be a few more minutes.”

They got up and hastily made their way back to the docking tube. As they walked through the wide corridor, the docking bay door next to their own opened and an Inthidlon stepped through.

The creature’s blue body was almost entirely covered in a futuristic-looking, gold and white body armor. He was built like an ordinary human, except that every part of visible skin was covered in short fleshy bristles.

He stopped abruptly as he noticed them.

Fle'gak, Inthidlon, Level 9, Faction: Inthidlon 3rd fleet

Path: Scout → Unveiler

??

??

Lana looked at the line of text with surprise.

The creature, Fle'gak, examined each of the humans with obvious interest. As he turned his head, the short bristles covering his face swayed gently, like some sort of thick, rubbery fur. Then he opened his mouth and to their surprise, spoke in clear English.

“Hello, humans.”

Lana stared at him. “Err … hello, Mr. Flek … I mean Mr. Fleeg ...”

“For simplicity sake, you may refer to me as Fleak.”

Nori bumped Lana’s shoulder.

“Right, sorry. Erm … sorry, Fleak, we’re in a bit of a hurry.”

The four turned to leave but the blue alien held up a hand. “One moment, please. My sensors have detected only a single ship on the station, yours I believe. I have some questions I’d like answered.” He lowered his hands to his waist, close to the hilts of twin pistols. Lana wasn’t a gun expert, especially not when it came to alien guns, but she thought they looked even meaner than Nori’s old Disruptor.

Bulco face clouded. “We said we’re in a hurry. We have no time for pesky fleas, you got a problem with that?”