Chapter 21

The Top Asteroid glided gently into the dock of the enormous DarKat space station, where they had tracked the Jorvlen ship that they suspected carried the Desolation Stone.

Layla was astounded by the size of the station. It looked as if it was almost as big as a planet. She couldn't imagine anyone growing tired of space travel, even in her ill-health. There was always something new to see.

"After you, my lady," Zyair said as the gangway descended down to the busy dock. Individuals of all races walked in bustling corridors surrounded by uniformed workers loading and unloading cargo in all directions.

Layla looked across at Zyair's rugged features, her soon-to-be husband, with whom she had fallen so in love. Her hand gently caressed her belly, wondering what the little royal would look like.

No regrets,she thought.

There were a lot of broad-shouldered D'Narvius and quite a few Noxxans. She figured they would be useful for their strength. She even saw a few other Lorr with their massive curled horns and purple skin. Occasionally, she would spot a fellow human. Invariably, they would nod a greeting to her.

As they walked, she thought she had worked out a plan. She dragged Zyair into a side tunnel and explained what she had in mind.

"See all these uniforms around?" she said. "We find ones that fit us, and we infiltrate the station workers who are supporting the activities of the Jorvlen ship. That gives us a chance to poke around there."

"Sounds perfect," he said. "I think that might just work."

They stepped back out into the main corridor. The next human wearing a dockworker's uniform Layla saw, she pulled aside. "We've just arrived for dock work, and we're looking for the storage bays," she said to him.

"Second left, section C," he said with a smile. "There's a worker shortage on, so Vic'll be happy." She thanked him and they went on their way down the corridor again.

They halted at the door marked Section C. It had a swipe lock on the outside barring their access. "So what now?"

"We wait. I think it might raise some suspicions if you start battering your way in there. In fact, it might be better if you wait at the end of the corridor. I figure I can sweet talk my way in."

He didn't love it, but he acquiesced.

Before long, someone came along. Layla couldn't believe her luck. It was a woman, and she obviously had human ancestry. She smiled at Layla as she approached. "Forgot your swipe card?" she asked. "I do it all the time."

"Me, too," said Layla. "I don't have time to go back and get it before my shift."

The girl smiled and swiped the door open, holding it for Layla to go through. "Thanks," she said.

"My name's Dana," said the girl, extending her hand.

"Layla," Layla replied, shaking her proffered hand.

"Do you want to meet up with me for a drink after your shift? A few of us go to the Terran Bar just off Fifth if you'd like to join us?"

"Oh, I can't, I'm seeing my boyfriend later. Maybe another time?"

Dana looked a little disappointed but shrugged. "Okay, catch you later," she said and went into a changing room.

Layla was left alone in the corridor. She wished she'd asked Dana which of the many doors led to the storage warehouse. After a few attempts, however, she found it.

The uniforms were neatly folded on the shelves, coded not only by size, but by species. It took her a while to find suitable uniforms for them both. She put hers on over her clothes and then stuffed Zyair's uniform underneath her shirt. She really did look pregnant now.

She found her way back out of the building and discovered Zyair waiting directly outside the door.

"Why are you waiting here?" she asked.

"Bodyguard duty. I'm on shift. Thought I might have to batter the door down to check on your well-being if you weren't out soon."

Layla looked at him wide-eyed. She had heard of the legendary Lorr warrior charge. It was said, To contain a Lorr warrior, you have to put him in a cell ten-feet thick, or he'll simply batter his way out.

"Well, it's good I came back when I did, then!" She handed him his uniform. He grunted his acknowledgment and went off down a side alley to put it on. "Adorable," she said when he returned.

Zyair gave her a sharp look. "Not a word of this to my brothers when you meet them!"

"I make no promises," Layla countered with a mischievous twinkle in her eye. In truth, he would look dashing in a sack, she thought. Just something about the way he carried himself projected authority.

They headed for the dock that held the Jorvlen ship, and she could feel her nerves returning as well as her nausea.

No one gave them a second glance as they identified the vessel and got to work on loading. They blended right in, and when no one was looking, they boarded the ship and looked for places the crew might have been hiding the stone.

Jorvlen crew members were everywhere. For a while, Zyair and Layla made a show of stacking boxes while they scanned the area, keeping one eye on the dock to make sure they could escape before the ship took off. The last thing they wanted was to get trapped on an enemy ship where they'd be prized for information.

"That corridor looks quiet," said Zyair quietly. "I'm going to check it out. If anyone looks like they're going to enter, stall them if you can. No matter what, though, Layla, do not put yourself in danger."

Too late for that, Layla thought, but she wasn't going to argue that point to Zyair. She waited anxiously by the entrance pretending to take an inventory. She was too far in at that point to back out, and given how much Zyair needed her, she didn't want to.

Nausea rose in her throat again. Layla glanced at the open door to the ship hold, trying to convince herself she was safe. She kept alert for any sign that the ship was getting close to liftoff. She figured they had a few more flicks before having to worry.

Zyair reappeared and beckoned Layla to follow him. She took one last glance at the open door that led back to safety. Then with a feeling of impending doom, she followed Zyair down the corridor.

Suddenly, they heard footsteps. She glanced back toward the hold, but the entrance was too far away to return. Zyair grabbed her and pulled her through a side door. It turned out to be a utility closet with barely enough room for the two of them, but they were safe from potential interrogators for a little while at least.

"When my brother was hiding out on a ship like this, he said they hid in the air ducts," Zyair told her.

They both looked up and saw the hatch above them in the ceiling. They smiled at one another, and then Zyair helped her up through the hatch into the vent beyond.

The vent was cramped and difficult to maneuver in, but it felt a lot safer than the corridor outside.