“But she was a stowaway. I think the ship was her home.”
“She lives with me.”
“You—and Pika?” The thought surprised me. Pika had shown an odd loyalty to Neptune even though she was afraid of him.
“She left Colony 7 and bummed around the galaxy. I found her living on my property a couple of months ago. Didn’t see the point in scaring her away.”
“You let her on the ship.”
“She followed me to the space station and snuck on board. That made her my responsibility.”
“Security protocol demands that Federation Council be notified of stowaways aboard a passenger-bearing vessel. Based on Dakkar Teron’s death, they would have instructed you to make a stop at the nearest space station and turn her over to their custody.”
“Pika wasn’t a threat.”
“You wanted to take care of her.”
“I didn’t want to leave her to fend for herself.”
“You’re not so tough after all.” I grinned at him.
Neptune’s face softened. He looked out at the sky. It was lavender, a shade not too far from my part Plunian flesh. The sun, in contrast, was a small yellow circle over five hundred million miles away. As I absorbed the beauty of the galaxy, I had a hard time believing in the threat of space pirates and fighting amongst planets, of dry ice shortages and intergalactic wars.
“What’s next for you?” Neptune asked.
“I’m going to live at the space academy and get my degree.”
“There’s a position for you here if you want it.”
“There will be more moon treks.”
“You know the only way I got onto this ship was because I lied about my credentials.”
“You’re more qualified than any candidates I ever met. The corporation is launching Moon Unit 6 soon. Bigger ship, longer trek, more demanding passengers.”
Before I had a chance to answer, he continued. “Think about it before you turn it down,” Neptune said. He didn’t look at me. “We make a good team, Stryker. Moon Unit Corporation would be lucky to have you.”
I studied Neptune’s profile: his intimidating stance, his arched eyebrows, his inherent toughness. And then I turned and looked the other direction at Vaan. Member of Federation Council. Part of the law and order of the galaxy. Plunian, like me. The men represented two different avenues: one to my future and one to my past. The decision was easier than expected.
“What’s the range on that micro-transmitter in my security uniform?”
Neptune looked from the sky to me. “Why do you ask?”
“You’ll need a way to reach me when Moon Unit 6 is ready to go.”
He grinned. “See you soon, Stryker.”
About the author
After two decades working for a top luxury retailer, Diane Vallere traded fashion accessories for accessories to murder. MURDER ON MOON TREK 1 is her first outer space mystery. She also writes the Madison Night, Samantha Kidd, and Lefty Award-nominated Costume Shop and Material Witness mysteries. She started her own detective agency at age ten and has maintained a passion for shoes, clues, and clothes ever since.
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Also by Diane Vallere
The Samantha Kidd Series:
Buyer, Beware
The Brim Reaper
Some Like It Haute
Grand Theft Retro
Pearls Gone Wild
Cement Stilettos
Panty Raid (2018)
The Madison Night Series:
“Midnight Ice” in Other People’s Baggage
Pillow Stalk
That Touch of Ink
With Vics You Get Eggroll
The Decorator Who Knew Too Much
The Pajama Frame (2018)
A Disguise to Die For
Masking for Trouble
Dressed to Confess
The Material Witness Series
Suede to Rest
Crushed Velvet
Silk Stalkings
Sylvia Stryker Outer Space Mysteries
Murder on Moon Trek 1