“WELCOME TO ALPHANE station, ser Boorck, lady Nazdru. We hope you enjoy your stay. Will you be taking the shuttle planetside or transshipping?”
“The shuttle…for now…for…some culture…” answered the man.
“That we have. That we have. The shuttle concourse is to your left.”
“Laslo, you are so masterful,” commented the woman with the sparkling red-and-silver hair and the matching nails, blissfully unaware of the stares she was receiving from the conservative Alphane residents returning planetside.
“Thank you, dear. You know how I value your judgment.”
“You should, dear. You should.”
“But you know I do. Why else would I be here?”
“Now, Laslo, don’t get sentimental. We have a shuttle to catch.”
The big man sighed, loudly, and motioned for a porter to follow with the two heavy black leather bags.
The three stepped onto the moving strip in the center of the corridor and were carried toward the shuttle concourse. Lady Nazdru continued to draw stares. Few noticed Ser Boorck at all, except as an overweight man obviously dominated by a younger, if experienced, woman.
“You’d think that they’d never seen someone with colored hair, dear.”
“Not like you, dear.”
“You’re so kind, Laslo.”
The porter coughed. “Ser…lady…”
“Oh, yes, thank you.” The man stepped off the moving strip and toward one of the staffed counters.
“May I help you, citizen?”
“I unfortunately neglected to arrange for shuttle passage…”
“That shouldn’t be a problem. Do you have an Imperial I.D. or an outsystem passport?”
He handed over the flat I.D. card.
“Your print, citizen?”
The man complied.
“Does she need mine, too, Laslo?”
The woman behind the counter scanned the red-and-silver-haired woman. “I don’t think that will be necessary. Your…husband’s I.D. is clearly adequate.” She shifted her glance back to the man. “How do you wish to pay for passage?”
“How much is it?”
“Three hundred each, plus tax.”
“This should do.” He handed over a credit voucher.
“Just a moment, citizen.” She laid the voucher on the screen.
Bleep.
“That will clearly suffice, ser.” Her voice showed much greater respect. “It will take another moment to print out a revised voucher.”
“When does the shuttle leave?”
“You should not have to wait long, ser. The next one is for Alphane City. That is in thirty-five standard minutes. The next shuttle after that is the one for Bylero. That is in fifty minutes. If you want the southern continent, take the shuttle for Dyland…”
Burp.
“Here is your credit voucher, ser. And your passes. They are good on any shuttle. Just check in at the lock, or make arrangements at any service desk.”
“Laslo, have you reconfirmed our accommodations at the Grosvenor Hill?”
“I will, dear, I will, just as soon as I arrange for our shuttle.”
The shuttle clerk suppressed a smile as the man motioned to the porter and waddled toward the service counter. With her eyes on the woman, she did not notice that the man made no attempt to reconfirm the accommodations.
The heavy man and the woman leaned toward each other, out of apparent earshot of the shuttle clerk.
“But, Laslo, dear, I did so want to see Dyland first.”
“I understand, honeydrop…I understand.”
The shuttle clerk smiled amusedly and returned her attention to the screen.
“You didn’t tell me you had business in Alphane City.” The woman shook her red-and-silver hair.
“Put the bags here.” The man nodded at the porter, then extended his hand with a five-credit token.
“Thank you, ser. Will that be all?”
“You promised, Laslo. You promised…”
“That will be all.”
The porter left with his cart.
“You promised…” Her voice trailed off.
“I can only do my best.” The man shrugged. “What if I meet you in Dyland…the day after tomorrow?”
“Laslo…”
“Tomorrow?”
“And you’ll take me to the Crimson Palaccio?”
“Yes…the Crimson Palaccio.”
“You’re a dear, Laslo.” She threw her arms around him and gave him a theatrical hug, whispering in his ear, “Look behind me.” As she broke away, she added more loudly, “And be careful. Don’t forget your diet, dear.”
“I’ll see you then, honeydrop. Don’t buy too much…”
“I won’t, Laslo. You know I won’t. And we’ll talk about that at home.” She beckoned to a porter.
He watched as she waltzed away, shaking his head slowly.