A drawer in its body slid open; the tentacle plucked out what looked to be an envelope and waved it briefly in the air before returning it to the drawer.

Niko sighed but chose not to fight this battle. She jotted her name on the data pad, and held out her hand expectantly. The drawer reopened, and this time the tentacle deposited the envelope in her hand.

Real paper, made from rag pulp. Expensive and ostentatious. Had Takraven sent some additional message, some instruction that he had neglected to mention earlier? But, no, there were no markings on the envelope.

She turned it over in her hand, wondering if she should scan it first. But it would not have come through the system without passing through any number of scans. She slid a fingernail underneath the flap that sealed it, and tugged it to loosen the paper. Unfolding the paper inside, she read it quickly:

Dear Niko:

I’m glad that you made it away alive.

I’m working on a menu of my own, you see.

Tubal Last

“Momma Sky,” she breathed out. She crumpled the paper in her hand.

“Will a gratuity be forthcoming?” the waiting bot asked. “In case you are new to the customs of this station, it is the norm to acknowledge personal service with a small tip, amounting to five to fifteen credits and payable by tapping the requisite panel.” The requisite panel slid out helpfully.

“Go bilk some other naïve tourist,” Niko told it.

She watched it trundle away.

“Thing,” she said.

“Yes, Captain?”

“Prepare to depart.”

“May I ask our destination, Captain?”

Despite the chill that had run up and down her spine upon reading the words from Tubal Last, Niko couldn’t help the tiny smile as she turned to head to the pilot room. She had her crew, one of the fastest ships in the world, and someone to find. She straightened the lapels of her Free Trader coat and stroked a thumb along the purple fabric, fresh and shiny and unstained.

“Where else?” she said. “Adventure.”

The ship felt excitement.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

So many people have cheered me on during the journey that led me to this book that I cannot name them all. But I want to mention one particular institution, the Griffon Bookstore in South Bend, Indiana, where I used to buy science fiction and fantasy and dream of the day my works would be on those shelves. Thank you, Ken and Sarah, for all you’ve done not just for me but for all the smart, geeky kids who loved to read and play games and who found shelter beneath your wings. I wouldn’t be who I am today without you.