Chapter 24

Chapter

Twenty-Four

Allie

T he wooden walkway creaked realistically under my feet as I made my way back towards the main part of the station. I passed a pathway leading to a tiki bar where several couples sat sipping brightly colored cocktails adorned with tiny umbrellas. For a moment, I was tempted to stop and ask if anyone knew Maxxon, but I decided against it. The couples looked very into each other, and I didn't want to make a scene with my search

I reached the inclinator and stepped inside, only to realize I had no idea how to control it. The smooth white walls offered no clues, no buttons or levers. Hesitantly, I waved my hand in front of what looked like a control panel.

The inclinator dropped suddenly, making my stomach lurch, then shot sideways. Lavender light pulsed around me, and an instrumental version of "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" played softly in the background. Was everything on the station retro-themed?

Just as abruptly as it had started, the inclinator stopped. The doors slid open with a soft whoosh, and I stumbled onto what had to be the Promenade. I remembered Maxxon telling me about it and how it had been modeled after exclusive shopping districts on Earth.

The floor was cobbled, like an old European street, with trees and flower beds interspersed between shops and cafes. Striped awnings extended over glass storefronts and petite tables dotted the area in front of the cafes. I breathed in the scent of coffee and freshly baked pastries, my mouth watering.

I couldn't resist craning my neck, looking up at the vast interior of the station from below. The giant chasm rose above me, crisscrossed with walkways and inclinators zipping back and forth, reminding me of a giant, three-dimensional game of Chutes and Ladders.

I scanned the Promenade, searching for Maxxon's tall figure and dark hair, but I didn't see him anywhere. There were plenty of Drexians, their bronze skin and impressive height making them blend in with each other whereas on Earth they would stand out, but none of them were him. Along with the Drexians in their sharp uniforms were plenty of human women and a smattering of other alien species.

"Hey there!" A cheery voice called out. I turned to see a couple of human women waving at me from a nearby table. "Want to join us?"

I shook my head, forcing a smile. "Thanks, but I can't. I'm looking for someone."

The strawberry-blonde laughed, her eyes twinkling. "Isn't that why we're all here?"

I felt a blush creep up my neck. "I guess."

My pulse jangled at the reminder that I was supposed to be meeting my "matched" Drexian mate at some point. Which meant I needed to find Maxxon fast, before anyone realized I wasn't playing by the rules.

Tick tock, Allie. Tick tock.

As I walked, the aroma from the coffeeshop slowed my steps. I paused, eyeing the display of pastries longingly. I hadn't eaten since before the jump to the station. Maybe a quick snack wouldn't hurt, I thought.

"No," I whispered furiously to myself. "Find Maxxon first, eat later."

I just hoped I didn't pass out from hunger before I tracked him down.

I spotted a Drexian standing to one side peering at a device and decided to take a chance. "Excuse me," I said in a low voice as I sidled up to him. "Do you know a Drexian named Maxxon?"

The alien looked down at me, his bright blue eyes curious. "Maxxon? No, I'm afraid not. I just arrived myself." He must have seen the disappointment on my face because he added, "If you're looking for a member of the station crew, you might try the staff cantina or the bridge level."

The bridge sounded a bit too official for my liking. I did not want to wander there and have to explain myself. "The cantina? Where's that?"

He gave me directions, pointing towards the bank of inclinators. "It's on one of the lower levels. It's not as fancy as up here, but that's where most of the crew hang out when they're off duty."

I thanked him and set off, hope rekindling in my chest. This had to be it. If Maxxon was anywhere on the station, surely he'd be where the other crew members gathered.

The trip down was less eventful this time, though I did catch myself humming along to an instrumental version of "Take On Me". When the doors opened, I stepped onto a very different part of the station.

Gone were the gleaming white walls and fake palm trees. Here, the corridors were utilitarian, with dull gray floors and plain metal walls, but I liked it. I wouldn't worry about getting something dirty down here.

I followed the increasing buzz of voices until I reached a wide doorway that opened into a massive space filled with long tables and chairs. The lighting was dimmer here, and small robots zipped around between the tables, beeping as they delivered trays of food.

Gone was the rich aroma of coffee and buttery pastries. In the cantina, the smells were savory and pungent, and there was no background music to mask the sounds of scraping cutlery and clanging pans from the open kitchen.

The eatery was packed with Drexians and other aliens I couldn't even begin to identify. Some lounged at tables, others stood in groups, chatting and laughing in a cacophony of different languages.

I scanned the room desperately, searching for Maxxon's familiar face. My heart sank as I realized he wasn't here, either. Where was he?

Disappointment and frustration welled up inside me. Maxxon could be anywhere on this massive station. He might not even be here at all. What if he'd been sent on another mission? What if—

"Allie?"

The sound of my name, spoken in a familiar voice, jerked me roughly from my thoughts.. Slowly, I turned around.