Exit Strategy (Tales Of The Citadel #58)(5)

“The embedded microdots would give someone with a scanner the details.”

“There are chips in my face?”

“Of course. No one could be expected to take your word for rank markings. The seals of the Citadel are in every bit of information in your skin.”

“Oh. That is interesting. I am guessing I should have read the file more closely.” She grimaced.

“I am apologizing once again. I tried every other option, but you were my last resort. They would not believe it if I brought in another Guardsman.”

“Right. No, it is fine. So, tell me about your upbringing. I feel this is something I should know about.”

He nodded and started to speak. It was time for him to part with personal information. He already knew most of hers.





Chapter Three


Yna got up and prepared her meal. Her brain was buzzing with all the information she had just crammed in, but she thought she would be able to keep it straight.

She checked the data pad for information on casual and formal wear and concentrated on coaxing her Masuo into the formations on the screen.

The casual designs were loose and comfortable and similar for both genders. She smoothed her hand over her wrist and the fabric cuff at the edge of it.

Ahlgos came in, rubbing his hand through his hair and freezing in place when he saw her. “Where did you get that?”

“I have Masuo. I got the pattern off the vid display.”

“It looks like something my sister used to wear.”

She smiled slightly. “That is the idea. The cut is surprisingly comfortable.”

“Yes. They are. I have to admit, the clothing suits you.”

Yna chuckled. “That is the Masuo. It is part of me now, so it makes everything flattering.”

He went to the food dispenser and ordered a meal. “We will touch down in ten hours. Are you ready for the conduct lecture?”

“Sure, but let’s see. As your fiancée, I am allowed to touch your arm, and you can do the same in public. The clothing I have on is fine for casual daily wear, but at events leading to the wedding, I need to be wearing something like this.”

She concentrated, and her loose and comfortable clothing became more fitted, glittering and translucent, barely opaque with a wide swath of skirt hiding her legs. The upper body was faithfully outlined.

“That is... what are those marks?”

She didn’t need to look. “Scars.”

“They follow the outline of your suit.”

“Yes. It was an interesting day.” She tried to downplay what he was about to ask.

“When did that happen?”

“The day they found me. It happened hours before.”

His fist slammed into the wall above the food dispenser, denting the metal.

Ahlgos drew in a deep breath. “I thought they were able to heal you.”

She nodded. “They did, mostly. The suit that I was fused to burned into my skin along the exposed points. Since there was a genetic component involved, it wasn’t possible to reset the cells to normal, healthy tissue. I will always wear the scars.”

His hands flexed. “I am so—”

She held up her hand and reset the dress to the casual one. “Don’t. In this case, it wasn’t you. It was one perverse man who met his own comeuppance.” Her grin was not pleasant.

“Is he dead?”

“He wishes he was. Well, he is now a bit of an inaccurate description. I think that he is in parts now, all around research facilities.” She reached for her water glass and sipped slowly.

“Did you...”

She looked at him innocently. “Me? No. I assure you that he did not meet his end at my hands. He simply ran down the wrong alley at the right time.”

“What happened?”

“He owed a lot of money to the wrong people. It seems that his wealth escaped him after my rescue.”

Ahlgos grabbed his food tray and sat across from her. “Really?”

“Yes, apparently, he made a large purchase that ended up costing him. It was all very tragic.” She was smirking, and she knew it.

He stared at her before eating his meal in quick bites. “I am guessing that you are a very dangerous woman.”

She shrugged. “I always was; I just didn’t use it until after the rescue and reclamation.”

His expression showed a dawning understanding. “So, your activities have not been exaggerated.”

“No, they have not. In fact, having read the official reports, they don’t know the half of it.”

“May we start over?”

She cocked her head and considered what she had learned about his family. He came from honourable people, and his desire to help his sister was genuine. He had a good heart; he just happened to be the face of her worst moment.

“Yes, we can start over. I am Yna of Citadel Balen. I am an instructor and escape specialist.”

She extended her hand to him.

He gripped her hand before releasing it. “Ahlgos of Remuyan, born to the Ikato family. I am a member of the Sector Guard and stationed on Balen.”

“Oh? What is your talent?”

“I have a few, but my family talent is viniculture. I have access to the strength of the vines and trees around me.”

She chuckled. “That is a little vague.”