Chapter 775: Cobra’s secret.
Sunshine and Vortan materialized in Acacia at the exact coordinates Bjorn had provided. The moment the shimmering light of the teleportation faded, they found themselves standing inside a cozy-looking pet cafe.
She blinked, spinning in a slow circle. "Well, this was not the location I was expecting." she muttered.
"Because we got exact coordinates, so we don’t have to run around in a city searching for your friend." Vortan told her.
Sunshine nodded, pinning her eyes to the wide glass window. Acacia was beautiful. It was the most similar environment to Earth she had seen in all her travels. Outside the cafe, different types of creatures moved around freely, and they were acting in a similar manner to humans.
Some were holding hands, sipping what Sunshine guessed was coffee or tea, from the steam rising from the cups. Mothers were pulling children; a man was carrying a pet that looked like a husky on his shoulders. It was complaining loudly through yips.
She saw street musicians strumming strange, glowing instruments, teenagers in neat school uniforms chasing each other with laughter. There was traffic, with hovering transport pods a few feet from the ground, honking at each other in a way that felt strangely nostalgic.
It all reminded her of life on earth before the apocalypse, before the rifts, before the monsters, before everything became a fight for survival.
But of course, this world was more beautiful. Every building had a waterfall pouring downwards from the top floor or some kind of garden growing on the walls. It was a strange mix of nature and modernity. Somehow, it was organized and perfect!
Vortan, usually serious was actually smiling. "Beautiful, isn’t it?" he asked, his voice soft. "I’ve always told myself that when I finally leave the Organization, this is where I’ll retire. No wars, no politics. Just good food and a nice view."
"What kind of world is this?" Sunshine asked, watching a furry, six-legged creature walk a tiny, lizard-like pet on a leash. She snapped a picture quickly for Earl and Berry to see.
"A mixed-race world," Vortan explained. "There is no nation with sovereignty here. No ’us’ versus ’them.’ Those who get tired of the chaos on their own planets come here to just... live. It’s the ultimate melting pot. A neutral planet that all the galaxies agreed to keep out of conflict. But don’t assume it is easy moving here. There are like a thousand barricades before you become a temporary citizen. Repairmen are the exception. Our duty to the galaxy earns us a free pass. But we are not permanent residents either. Nobody here is."
Sunshine nodded, her eyes lingering on a flower shop across the street. The flowers were so bright and big! "It makes a lot of sense that Cobra would hide here. In a place where everyone is a stranger, no one stands out."
Vortan jutted his chin toward the cafe door. "Is that your friend?"
Sunshine followed his gaze and saw Bjorn stepping out. In person, Bjorn was much taller than her hologram suggested. A towering, muscular female with a presence that commanded the sidewalk.
"Sunlight?" Bjorn asked, stopping in front of them. She looked Sunshine up and down, a small smile playing on her lips. "I’ve only ever seen you through an untraceable channel. You’re smaller than I thought, earthling."
Vortan arched one eyebrow at the name. "Sunlight?" he echoed, looking at Sunshine.
Sunshine cleared her throat, feeling a bit embarrassed. "It’s a long story, Vortan." She turned to introduction them. "Bjorn, this is Vortan. He’s, my supervisor."
Vortan stepped forward, his eyes going cold and professional. "Let’s get to business. We aren’t here for the pets."
Bjorn nodded, though her expression turned nervous. "Don’t be shocked by whatever I’m about to reveal. And please," she looked specifically at Vortan, "don’t cause me any trouble. I’m sticking my neck out for Sunlight."
"I won’t give you trouble if you don’t bring it to me," Vortan replied simply.
Bjorn led them to an awaiting sleek, black transport pod that moved on magnetic rails. Inside, the seats were made of a soft, jelly-like material that molded to their bodies, and the windows were tinted to look like a moving art gallery.
They were driven toward a massive, shimmering lake in a park and then boarded a small, silent boat that glided across the water. They arrived at another town on the far shore, this one even busier and louder than the one they had been in.
It was like a crowded countryside on the day of an open market. Too many people!
Bjorn hailed a taxi that drove them to a street Sunshine could not pronounce. She expected a secluded hideout, a dark warehouse, or a basement. Instead, the taxi stopped in front of a medium-sized, charming house with a well-kept garden.
When they walked up to it, Bjorn paused at the front gate, her hand trembling slightly on the latch. "Okay, listen. This is my family home. My parents are inside, and they think I’ve just invited some work friends over for dinner."
Sunshine and Vortan exchanged a look of pure confusion.
"I thought we were meeting Cobra," Vortan said, his hand twitching toward his hidden holster because suspicion was on the rise.
"The only person who can lure Cobra out is her mother," Bjorn explained. "I asked my aunt to invite her over for a family dinner tonight. It’s the only time she lets her guard down."
Sunshine’s brain did a quick backflip as she put the pieces together. "Wait...Aunt? Are you related?"
Bjorn sighed. "Cobra is my cousin. And yes, she works for the Repairman Organization."
"She?!" Sunshine shouted.
"What?!" Vortan shouted at the same time. "The most feared information broker in the galaxy is a female working for the organization?"
Bjorn nodded. "I’m only doing this because Sunlight said her life was in danger. But please... whatever information you want, make sure my cousin doesn’t get in serious trouble. She’s just... she’s always been a bit too smart for her own good."
Vortan let out a long, weary sigh, the kind that came from centuries of dealing with nonsense. "Bjorn, your cousin is already in trouble. Deep trouble. But if she cooperates with us tonight, we might be able to keep the Organization from punishing her severely."
Bjorn’s face paled. She looked conflicted, her hand hovering over the doorknob. "What did she do?"
"She did something very dangerous," Vortan said, his voice dropping to a serious whisper. "She sold the location of a repairman. If the higher-ups find out, she won’t just lose her job. She may end up in prison."
Bjorn cursed under her breath. "I knew it. I knew one day that stupid girl would sell the wrong secret." She wiped her face and straightened her jacket. "Fine. Let’s go in. Just... try to be nice during dinner?"
"No promises," Vortan muttered. "But I will try."
As the front door opened, the smell of roasted meat and spices hit them. From the hallway, a cheerful voice called out, "Bjorn! Is that you? Bring your friends in! The soup is getting cold!"
Sunshine looked at Vortan, who looked like he wanted to pull out a weapon, or the code of conduct for all those who worked for the organization.
"Smile, Vortan," Sunshine whispered, patting his furry arm. "We’re here for family dinner."