Love, Against All Odds

II - Chapter 5

A/N: Double update! Happy reading :)

After entering the new guestroom, Becca took off the old jacket and placed it on one of the chairs beside the table. She turned to the bed, feeling the desire to fall into it for a nap. It was early afternoon, and she was worn out from visiting Dorlon. After leaving the Hall of the Commanders, they had gone to the market and searched for Raine. The stall had been busy like last time, but Raine wasn't working it. An unfamiliar Earthling mentioned that Raine would return tomorrow. Becca would try later, keeping her promise to Dorlon.

Now staring at the bed, she considered her next few hours before dinner. She was exhausted from being up before dawn with Kal and sore from walking around today. As she considered her next move, a beep started in her pocket and changed her pending plans. Pulling out the techbit, she noted the name, and hope sprang to life in her chest.

Becca answered the call and switched to Jero. 'Hey, Sallarus.'

'Hello, Becca.' Sallarus's pale blue features, three eyes, and flat-nosed face formed within the holo screen when Becca set the techbit on the table. 'I received your data package.'

'Did you have any luck figuring out who this guy is?'

Sallarus revealed his razor teeth and replied, 'I did, but it'll cost you.'

Becca rolled her eyes, but she expected it from Sallarus, who didn't give away anything for free. 'What is it?'

'Two hundred stills,' Sallarus replied. 'And don't tell me you don't have them after finishing a job on Kander and losing two crewman.'

Clenching her teeth, Becca fought to keep her tone even. 'I also lost my ship,' she reminded him. 'I'll give you a hundred and fifty.'

Sallarus remained quiet, features tight and unreadable, and then he smiled. 'Fine.'

Becca sighed and tapped the techbit once, which activated the holographic keyboard. She swiped and tapped a few times until she had the money transferred to him. 'So what did you find out?'

'Victor is military. His full name is Victor Petrov,' Sallarus replied, and his attention shifted to something else, perhaps another screen with the information Becca needed. 'That symbol on their transporter and uniforms is a seal. It's the Seal of Serrato.'

'Seal of Serrato?' Becca dragged her fingers through her hair, tangling them. 'Serrato planet?'

'Yes.' Sallarus tapped something, then Becca's screen flickered to the familiar symbol that had been a bit blurry when she saw it on Victor's transporter. 'What do you know about Serrato?'

'I know that Earthlings settled there. But the planet is practically useless,' Becca replied. 'Nothing much grows there due to the planet's rocky terrain. There are barely any resources to speak of, except maybe some metals. I forget the native race there.' As she stared at the symbol, she started picking out the details in it, which made her gut churn in worry.