Having the water filtration system up and running was not the blessing I had hoped for. Even with the temperature set on cool, my body had remained overheated from my slumbering nocturnal naughtiness with Ash. I’d ended up pleasuring myself several times while thinking about him. I’d left the bathroom physically cleaner, but feeling mentally dirtier. So much for not thinking about him.

I’d never been attracted to anyone the way I was to Ash. Most of the men I’d been with were easily forgotten after I’d taken them for a ride. The only exception, besides Ash, was my boyfriend from when I still lived on New Earth. Of course, he’d dropped me faster than a hot asteroid when I’d tested out as a ‘normal human’. I shot him in the arm and left shortly after that. There was no love lost between us, and even though I’d been attracted to him enough to stay with him, I think it was mostly misguided teenager attachment. He’d been my first sexual partner, and therefore I thought I loved him. Or maybe I did love him, I just wasn’t in love with him. No one had ever made me physically feel what he had before, or since … until Ash. And what Ash made me feel was beyond anything I could ever have imagined. To think I’d just met him. What if I let him—

I shook my head. What the hell am I thinking? I will not have sex with that man again. I will track him down and exchange him for a large chunk of cash. End of story. There would be no visitations from me when he was contained on my ship either. He was just another one and done, as far as I was concerned. My subconscious was going to have to cool it, too.

“What has you looking so pensive?” Zula asked, as she glided into our eating lounge.

“Just trying to come up with a plan on how to track Ash.” One that doesn’t end with us naked and him inside of me.

I picked up my spoon, scraping the edge of my bowl, and forced a bite of the beige sludge into my mouth. It was mushy and runny, without much flavor. I swallowed, pushing the rest of my meal away. I’d prepared it like I’d been instructed, but either oatmeal wasn’t the Earth breakfast delicacy I’d been told, or I’d done something wrong.

“Have some of my rations. It may not be Earth food, which let me remind you—”

“I know!” I snapped. “I wasn’t even born yet when Earth was destroyed. You don’t have to keep reminding me.”

Sitting down at the table across from me, Zula started munching on what looked like a blue sandwich while she eyed my oatmeal. “Apparently I do have to keep reminding you.”

“Yeah, well, maybe I’m afraid eating blue food will turn me into a Smurfette like you.”

“Do not call me that,” Zula growled, blue crumbs falling from her mouth.

Every. Single. Time. It never failed. I loved having something that riled her up faultlessly. “It’s a genuine concern.” I picked up my bowl, and took it over to the food waste disposal unit. After I’d vaporized the oatmeal, I began rummaging for something actually edible. “I think we need to stop somewhere to get better food. I—”

“Wasted all of your money on Earth food and Earth clothing,” Zula finished for me.

Straightening my spine, I adjusted my Steampunk outfit. I was going to have to look into tracking down more clothing like the pieces I’d recently purchased. I was enjoying the mix of functionality with style that Steampunk Earth clothing offered. Plus, it was a part of my heritage. I met Zula’s gaze, and cracked my neck, sighing. “It’s never a waste. I told you that my clothes are all part of the job.”

“You’re not on the job now.”

“I will be soon. I’m just trying to come up with a good pl—”

“Jane,” Tamzea’s voice echoed through the ship’s intercom, “we’re being hailed by a UGFS diplomatic cruiser. They’re requesting to speak with you personally.”

“Ohh—ookay,” I stammered. What reason would someone on a UGFS diplomatic cruiser have for wanting to talk to me? I haven’t done anything wrong … lately. I don’t think. I bit the inside of my cheek. “I’ll meet you in the control room.”

Hurrying out of the eating lounge, I sprinted down the long corridor and climbed the ladder that took me to the upper level of The Pittsburgh. Just outside the entrance I paused to catch my breath, wiping sweat from my forehead, and smoothed my hands over my clothes to make sure I was presentable.

I inhaled deeply, and rounded the corner, hoping I didn’t appear as flustered as I felt. “Hello, Captain Sevis here. How may I be of service?” I directed my question to the large communication screen on the wall.

An attractive male humanoid, who appeared to be in his early thirties, with dark hair and dark eyes, smiled at me congenially. He was wearing the dual toned blue uniform of all UGFS personnel. By the larger insignia on his chest and decorative pads on his shoulders, I knew immediately he was the ambassador on the cruiser. My apprehension racketed up another level, fresh sweat gathering along my hairline. “Yes. I am Ambassador Aralias. There is a sensitive matter I wish to speak with you about. Are your lines secure?”

I shifted, locking my hands behind my back so my fidgeting fingers weren’t visible, and bowed in deference before responding. I wasn’t the best at etiquette, but most of the time if I at least appeared to be trying it would be good enough—or at least that strategy hadn’t failed me yet. “Our lines are secure, Ambassador. What would you like to discuss?”

“I was recently informed that you expressed interest in the bounty on the creature simply known as Ash.” The ambassador blinked at me expectantly.

I cleared my throat. “Yeah … I mean, yes.”

“We, of the UGFS, would like to make you aware that this Ash has stolen some highly sensitive material we must have returned to us. It’s a data chip carrying the standard UGFS verifying code and seal. The information contained on it is top secret. We need the chip and Ash both in one piece. However, if you find yourself in a position where you may have to choose … bring us the chip. If you can do it within a fortnight your fee will be doubled.”

“Doubled?” I squeaked.

“Yes, Captain Sevis, doubled. I have been informed that you are one of the best at what you do, but I also need the issue of the chip to be kept secret. If the information on that chip is leaked, it could lead us to … many problems. If you are confident you can do these things for us, I will pull Ash from the database, and officially the job will be yours.”

I was rendered speechless. Normally bounties were listed in the database, and if you had the clearance to view them, then whoever got to the bounty first collected. I had higher clearance than most, but I’d never heard of an exclusive contract with the UGFS before. I was pretty sure if one had been out there, at any point, one of my competitors would have bragged about it. I cleared my throat again. “I won’t let you and the UGFS down, sir. I’m honored that you have entrusted me with this job. Is there any other information I may need?”

“No. Thank you for your time, Captain Sevis. I look forward to the successful outcome of your mission within the fortnight.” The ambassador smiled at me again, but it didn’t reach his eyes. I could have sworn his gaze raked over me with disdain, but the emotion was gone so fast I was sure I’d imagined it because of my unease.

“Thank you again, sir.” I tipped my lips up in what I hoped looked like a smile, remaining still until the screen went blank. It was followed by the beep signaling Tamzea turning everything off on our end as well. I blinked rapidly in shock, unable to stop staring at the screen. “I’m not sure if I should be nervous or excited about this.” My gut fluttered with anxiety. Something felt off about the entire situation. Of course it also could be that bite of oatmeal I just had. The stuff was sitting like a rock in my stomach.

“Maybe … maybe we shouldn’t take this job,” I muttered.

“What?” Tamzea approached me with shock etched into the worry lines on her face. “Are you feeling okay? I mean, you were planning on bagging Ash anyways, but now the fee will be doubled. That money would not only pay for everything Masha has been pushing for, but it could keep us all very comfortable for some time. You would only have to take easy bounties for a while. No Class 4s—”

“How much money did we get from the guy who tried to rip us off? Did Masha tell you?”

“Not enough to get her everything, and definitely not enough to keep you and the rest of us happy. Especially with how quickly you blow through your funds on fashion.” She tilted her head at me, studying my outfit. “What’s with the goggles? Were you helping Masha with something?”

I reached up, adjusting the Steampunk goggles perched on my head. “Nooo, they go with the outfit. But you know, I may need them … for something.” My nostrils flared when Tamzea’s lips twitched up into a smile. “Not another word about my clothes, got it?”

Attempting to appear innocent, even as a grin spread across her face, Tamzea flicked her gaze away. “So, the job?”

I gnawed on my lower lip, considering. I had no sane reason not to accept the job from the UGFS, and technically I already had. Plus, Tamzea was right. I was going after Ash regardless, so none of the rest should matter. I just couldn’t shake the feeling of trepidation that had settled over me.

“Yeah, I’m going to do it.” Why do I feel like those words, and the decision to take the job, are going to change everything in my life? And not for the better.