Chapter 31: Another Message from Relda

Music blared from the speakers. Ethan and Story controlled the playlist from his tablet. Commander Conner, Maz, his young Nessa, Scion, Elektra, the bodyguards, Alayna, and Dannon occupied three table and chair sets pushed together. They feasted on nutrient packages flavored like Italian food. Dr. Moses led his triplet daughters to the four empty seats near the others. Maz kept an eye on his implant, and by the end of the first course, had checked his messages twenty times.

“Everything okay, Maz?” Commander Conner asked. “Waiting for a message?”

“His girlfriend’s coming,” Scion teased, and Eklun burst out laughing.

“She can’t be,” Maz argued. “She’s another species. Her skin is blue.”

He nudged his father and asked, “Can she come in here? She’s from Raylay and Ty’s galaxy. We’re friends with her.”

“I’ll give them clearance,” Trevon consented.

Maz texted rapidly on his implant, and he glanced into each visible opening until a sound rumbled in the distance.