What mental hospital have you escaped from?” She wanted to laugh, but he looked so serious. “Prove you’re an alien. Rip off your disguise. Show me your antennae. Where’s your union card?

Vivi stood and crumpled the report. “Who’s the CEO at Slakerian?”“Jakes Echabarne,” her assistant said, not glancing at any notes. “Arrange a meeting.” No one messed around with Hunting4TrueLove, whether she held the reins or not.

Jakes nodded his dismissal. “Workable. Set up a meeting.”Mitchel stood. “Who would you like to send, sir?”He smiled. “Ivy, I’ve neglected my duties as commander of The Baldain. I’ll transport down to Earth and handle this matter myself.

Kidnapping is a harsh word.”“But accurate. I assume you’re not going to hang around Mars until I fix the software bug, if a problem ever existed. I’m on a one-way voyage to Slakeria, right?

The door to Jakes’ office slammed against the wall, and Vivi barreled through the opening. “Turn this ship around right now.