Chapter 3: Spaceship Tickets
Yuka took a deep breath.
The butler, sounding guilty, suggested, "How about we go back and fly our own spaceship now?"
Just as Yuka was about to reply, she noticed a smoking man approaching. He glanced casually at Yuka's high-end opticomputer and, licking his lips, smiled at her, "Hi, sunshine, are you here for a trip?"
"I also do some tour guiding on the side. If you're looking for a hotel, a meal, or a match to watch, I'm your guy," he said with a friendly smile, rubbing his hands together. "I can get you the best service in town. You just need to pay me a little."
Yuka sized him up: a worn-out leather jacket, unkempt hair, an honest smile - fitting the image of a man trying to make a living. But the calluses on his hands, the sharp look in his eyes, and the unmistakable air of a bandit revealed his true nature.
Seeing Yuka not responding and unable to read her expression through the helmet, the man grew impatient and bit his cigarette holder, "Sunshine, I'm the boss around here. No one dares to challenge that. I can get you anything you want..."
"Anything?" Yuka suddenly interrupted.
The man paused, then flashed a smile again, "Of course."
"Good," Yuka nodded and pointed to an alley nearby, "Let's talk over there."
The man glanced at the alley and genuinely smiled, thinking her to be a naive, wealthy young lady. He had planned to rob her right there, but she made it easier, leading him to a secluded spot, perfect for his plans.
"Sure thing," he said, putting out his nearly finished cigarette on the wall, tossing it on the ground, and leading Yuka into the alley.