Imminent Danger: And How to Fly Straight Into It Read Online Free PDF Page B

time,” she said. “You say minutes, but your minutes can’t be the same as my minutes. And neither can your hours or days. Every species must have a time system that’s based on how long their planet takes to rotate, right?”
    Miguri’s hair fluffed up. “You are correct. But just as the lamri translates our words, it also translates time.”
    “So when I say ‘one minute,’ you hear something completely different?”
    “Yes.”
    “That’s cool.”
    They noticed Grashk approaching them, but he was not carrying breakfast as they had expected. “Come,” Grashk commanded. “Captain Hroshk orders all prisoners to the bridge.”
    Grashk and Tarsis escorted the prisoners from the cell block. As they marched through the blue corridors, Eris noticed small, circular portholes set high in the outer wall. She couldn’t remember if she had seen them the last time she had been brought before Hroshk. I was probably too busy being terrified out of my mind. Not that I’m all that calm this time around. Deciding to take a chance, she said, “Grashk, can I look outside, just for a second?”
    The other guard reached out as if to grab her and pull her along, but to Eris’s surprise, Grashk stepped between them and said, “You are not in command, Tarsis.”
    Since Grashk hadn’t actually said no, Eris decided to chance a peek. Quickly stepping toward a window, she grabbed the sill and pulled herself up on tiptoes. She was astonished to see a brilliant white orb hanging in a backdrop of black velvet and twinkling stars. Off in the distance, she could make out another star, this one white-blue and even brighter than the first. Occasional shadows passed across the face of the white-blue star. Spaceships?
    Grashk pulled Eris away from the porthole, and they continued down the corridor.
    “That was amazing!” Eris whispered.
    “The Sirius stars are one of the most stunning sights in the galaxy,” Miguri agreed. “Did you spot any of the Psilosian cruisers?”
    “I think so. Near the big star.”
    “I do not remember if I told you, but the Psilosians were one of the few species to help my people after the Rakorsians destroyed my planet.” His hair drooped sadly.
    “I think I hate the Rakorsians,” Eris said.
    “It is best not to hate without a more thorough understanding of the situation,” Miguri cautioned. Then he grinned up at her with needle-sharp teeth. “However, in this case we will make an exception.”
    Eris returned the smile. “So which of those stars was Sirius B?”
    “The smaller white star.”
    “And that’s where the slave market is?”
    Miguri bowed his head. “Yes. The Psilosians have been trying to shut it down for over three hundred years but to no avail. Smugglers and thieves thrive in the darkest corners of the galaxy, and the black market of Sirius B’s asteroid belt is dark indeed.”
    They reached the lift, and as the circular platform raised them to the command deck, Eris felt a chill of fear creep up her spine. Approaching the gruesome portal, she noticed that Miguri’s hair was standing on end, and his tiny hands were clenching and unclenching rapidly. He looks even more scared of Hroshk than I am, thought Eris. And here I thought that was impossible.
    The massive door spiraled open. The two guards herded their prisoners into the center of the bridge, where Hroshk was lounging on his huge, coral chair. The captain had clearly been waiting for them, for he immediately fixed his reptilian stare on Eris.
    “Tarsis tells me you managed to survive your first Pull without too much whimpering,” Hroshk said, his purple eyes cold. “My Vekrori agent will be pleased that I’ve brought her such a hardy specimen.”
    Eris had no idea what he wanted from her. Am I supposed to grovel?
    Hroshk’s gaze flickered to Miguri. “As for you, Claktill, I have located a new home for you on Ssriss. A rich friend of mine is looking for a … pet.”
    Miguri emitted a high-pitched squeak.
    “What a