Dragon Pearl(12)
“Oh, that’s old news,” Eunhee said dismissively as she tried on another ring.
A third guard, a man with orange highlights in his spiky hair, joined in. “The real action is in the Ghost Sector. According to a drunk spacer who was spilling secrets last night, a lot of ships—even Space Forces battle cruisers—are gathering there, despite its reputation.”
The Ghost Sector had earned its name from what had happened to a planet within it, the Fourth Colony, whose entire population had perished when they’d angered disease spirits a few centuries ago. The planet had remained uninhabited ever since, and it was thought to bring bad luck to anyone who tried to land there. Then what was drawing all the ships? I wondered, but I didn’t dare ask my question aloud.
“I guess even Space Forces Command can’t keep a lid on that much activity,” the one-eyed guard said with a snort.
“Maybe they’re doing a sweep of the pirates,” ventured the fourth guard. “ ’Bout time, if you ask me.”
“I’ve heard rumors that the tiger captain—you know, Hwan?—is involved,” said Spiky Hair. “I’ve never trusted supernaturals in positions of power.”
“I’ve never trusted supernaturals anywhere,” said the fourth guard, and they all laughed.
Uh-oh. That was my cue to leave, before they figured out what I was. “Uh, I need to wash my hands before we eat,” I said, standing up.
The one-eyed guard nodded. “Eunhee, go with her.”
Eunhee looked longingly at the rings I’d left on the table but got up as ordered. We asked the server to show the way, and he led us through the arches and into the restaurant proper. Eunhee walked closer to me than I found comfortable, which was undoubtedly the point. If I’d been an ordinary human, she would have been able to grab me easily.
We passed a doorway to a private dining room that stood empty. I made the most of the opportunity and snaked out my foot. Eunhee tripped and fell forward, knocking down the server.
While they were untangling themselves, I dashed into the private room, out of their line of sight. Quickly, I changed myself into the most innocuous thing I could think of: an extra chair.
“Where did she go?” I heard Eunhee demand.
The server wasn’t having any of it. “If you have some notion of sneaking your associate in to rob this establishment,” he said in a loud voice, “I assure you that I am not fooled.”
“What’s all the ruckus about?” The manager had emerged from the back.
“Your employee is falsely accusing me of being a thief,” Eunhee said. “I could write him up for that. And there could be consequences for your restaurant.”
By the time they’d taken the argument to the manager’s office, I was only too glad to shift into the form of a server, complete with a uniform and tray, and glide back out the way I’d come.
It wasn’t until I was several blocks away from the restaurant, when I paused to catch my breath and change into my sixteen-year-old disguise, that it occurred to me—I’d left my backpack behind.
I’d lost the jades! And, even more precious, the only portrait I had of my family. I couldn’t conjure up replacements—they wouldn’t last. I considered venturing back to retrieve my backpack, but with the restaurant staff on alert and four city guards angry that I’d cheated them of their “emeralds,” that wouldn’t be a good idea.
How was I going to book passage without real, permanent money? My bad luck today had shown me that magic wouldn’t solve every problem. But now it was literally all I had at my disposal.
I decided to keep going toward the spaceport and hope for the best. I thought furiously as I hurried through the streets. From what the guards had said, it sounded like something fishy was going on in the Ghost Sector. I wondered if Jun’s battle cruiser was there. If I could somehow find a Space Forces officer, I might be able to trick them into giving me classified info.
For most of the way, my view had been obscured by Hongok’s spires. I rounded a corner onto the road that led to the spaceport proper and my breath caught in wonder. A dazzle of lights flashed from the landing area, like a necklace of captive stars. A control tower rose from the main building, piercing the sky. It wasn’t as tall as the spires I had passed, but it was better maintained, shining red-gold in the sunlight.
By now it was late afternoon. I hadn’t made as good time as I’d hoped when I set out, and I didn’t want to be wandering around after dark. There were some hostels near the spaceport, but I couldn’t stay at one of those even if I’d had the money. I wanted to get off-planet tonight, in case anyone was searching for me.
My heart hammered as I approached the entrance to the main building, which was flanked by two glass booths. Inside each one was a guard wearing a badge that displayed a red star and a stylized dagger, representing airport security. I slowed, not wanting to appear too eager. I’d learned from the news that on a planet like Jinju there were always people desperate enough to try to stow away on a ship and seek a better life on a richer world. The guards were there to prevent that from happening. They were looking out for both the ships’ interests and the would-be refugees’, since some captains weren’t above mistreating unauthorized passengers.
Unlike other runaways, though, I had the advantage of fox powers. As I joined the line to get in, which was only a few people long, I exerted just a touch of Charm, hoping it would get me past security. I didn’t want to wear myself out using it too often, but this particular hurdle—making it into the spaceport—was a critical one.