Hard Luck Hank: Screw the Galaxy
Page 30
“What? Why?” Garm asked.
“That’s what the Boranjame want. It’s either that or 300 planets. I figure we got a good deal.”
“Delfiblinium?” she asked, dazed.
“I didn’t exactly have a lot to trade.”
“You didn’t blow them up?” she asked.
I threw my arms wide, showing the obvious answer.
“What? You sound upset I’m still here. The Boranjame are gone. Our civilization isn’t in ruins. I thought I did pretty well.”
Garm seemed to suddenly snap-to.
“So we’re safe?” Garm asked, still unsure.
“As safe as Belvaille ever gets,” I replied.
She looked at the contract again.
“What’s the ‘good and valuable services’ part of the deal they owe us?”
I held out a small round device in my palm.
“This,” I said, smiling.
“What is it?”
I clicked it on and the face of the Ontakian artifact glowed brilliant blue. It rumbled a deep organ in your chest that medical technicians probably had a name for.
“I’m going to make a necklace out of it,” I stated, holding up my bartered item with glee. I bet those Ontakians would be upset to know the Boranjame gave it to me.
“You and your toys. Doesn’t that hurt?” she asked, disapproving.
I clicked it off.
“Yes, but it lets me know I’m alive.”
I then took Garm in my arms, dipped her back like the cover of some cheesy romance story, and kissed her as passionately as I knew how. When we broke apart, Garm smiled and then laughed.
“Wow,” she began, “you haven’t kissed anyone in a while, have you?”
As I was preparing excuses for my romantic deficiencies, Garm put her hands behind my head and kissed me on the lips as it was meant to be done.
Yes, indeed. Good to be alive.