Eclipsed Star

Chapter Twenty-One

Roman POV

I backed away from the guard, my hands up in defeat. I didn't want to give him any opportunity or motivation to retain me further. The Cyper my pocket burned.

Once out of his sight, I ran to the marketplace and found Roy, the Vwasak Jake had a run-in with the other night.

"Roy." I placed a hand on his shoulder to pull his attention to me. "I know you're probably still pissed at me but I really need your help."

He smirked but didn't reply, just leaned against the wall he stood next to. The table next to us was covered in herbs and other colorful objects meant to deflect attention from the contraband mixed in with the legal items. There was also a bag sitting underneath the table filled with contraband technology.

"Does the little prince have something he needs?"

"I need to get out of the sector. I need to do it right now. I know you know how to break this bracelet or deactivate it somehow. The Trags do it and I know you know how. Can you get this thing, bracelet to stop transmitting? Roy, I need your help." I killed me to lay it all out at his feet like that, but I had no other choice. I didn't have the time to play politics while Jake was dying.

"Well and that's exactly the kind of thing that could get a law abiding Atrian like me in a lot of trouble, even thrown into the crate. Why would I risk helping you? Plus, I'm really not the kind of guy that handles things contraband like that."

I ran my hands through my hair and let out a breath, really trying not to lose my temper. I wanted to beat the crap out of him right then, showing just how serious I was. But he gave me no option other than to beg for help. Following my instinct to pound him into a puddle of goo wasn't going to get me anywhere at this point especially with everybody watching.

"Name your price." I whispered

"I need a sim card from one of the new i9R series phones. Bring me one of those from the outside world and I'll be happy to get your bracelet to stop working for a day or two."

"No, I need now-tonight. I need to get out right now. I'll bring you whatever you want tomorrow. I'll find a way to smuggle it past the guards, whatever I have to do, but I need you to help me first."

Roy smirked, "Little Prince, that's not the way the world works. I'm afraid if the humans have taught us anything it's that we can't trust anyone. Even our own people."

My heart feel to the ground burrowing its way underneath the concrete sector floor until it found its way to the sludge and death below. Fury rose up within me and I clenched my hands. The need to feel his bones crack beneath my fists began to overwhelm me.

"Please," I said softly, hating what I'd been reduced to.

Just then Sophia walked up and wrapped an arm around my shoulder. "What are you doing talking to this Vwasak degenerate?" she asked with a smile on her face.

"Trying to convince him it's in his best interest to help me," I said.

"No payment, no product. Commerce is a simple thing. Do you have anything you can offer up inpayment little princess?"

Sophia dropped her arm from around me and glared at him. "You know, I heard a little something about Mona -- that girl you have a crush on -- her Pod cluster has an opening. Somebody, maybe a little princess, would be it able to help someone who wanted to get to know her better relocate to a pod nearby."

Roy frowned. "Do it then I'll help him," he said. "Payment comes first"

"Unfortunately, that's not going work." Sophia had a way of making her voice smile that charmed everyone she met and when she really turned it on, her face glowed like an angel. She could even get her marks to glow on command, conveying her sincerity and happiness. Something few people could accomplish honestly, but Sophia could do it while lying through her teeth. The sector is a tough place and I've had my share of battle scars, but the one person I'd never fuck around with was my sister. She seems sweet and nice but when she set her mind to something there was no stopping her.