Page 6 of Alien Naga's Prize

“Not anymore. I quit,” I respond.

“You can’t quit,” the commander splutters.

“I just did.” I turn and grab the dressing gown off my bed before I remember how short my T-shirt is and how I’m wearing a very racy pair of knickers because everything else is in the wash. “So, you can all fuck off.”

Three stunned faces greet me as I turn back, pulling on the gown. There’s an awkward, brief silence.

“This is about”—the captain clears his throat—“the Starlight Lottery.”

“I’ve been informed I have won, which is why I quit,” I reply. “And why you can all fuck off.”

“You don’t get to leave the service like that,” the commander says, recovering his composure and turning his usual shade of red. “There are protocols...”

“Fuck them.”

“We can stop you claiming your prize,” Captain Charlesworth says, contemplating his shiny boots.

“No, you cannot. I won, and I’m going.” I bristle.

“You’ll need clearance to leaveBritannia. You know the rules,” he says.

I do know the rules and I know he’s right. I fold my arms over my chest. I know this visit isn’t about stopping me from going to Starlight Lottery either.

“What do you want?” I glare at the captain because he’s clearly the one calling the shots.

“We’ve heard the Lottery is a front for something else, something which is a potential threat toBritannia, so we need someone on the inside to give us information, to find out what’s really going on,” he says.

“In what way is it a threat? Is it dangerous? All the information I was given said the Lottery only involved friendly aliens,” I respond.

I’ve met quite a few aliens in my work. They pass through the ports onBritanniaas traders. I enjoy meeting the different species and the vast majority are polite and pleasant, unlike most humans.

“It’s not dangerous,” the captain says hastily. “Not at all. You’ll be perfectly safe. We simply need you to feed back information to us about the Lottery operations.” He proffers me a small box.

I hesitate and then take it from him, opening it to reveal a wrist comm.

“I have one of these,” I say.

“This one will allow you to send intel directly to us via an encrypted service,” Charlesworth says pompously.

“So, what’s in it for me if I agree do to this for you?”

“Whatever’s happening with the Starlight Lottery, we guarantee we’ll pull you out if requested, and you’ll be reinstated on theBritanniaat your current rank and station.”

I look at the commander.

“First class,” I say.

“Pardon?” He glares at me, turning scarlet.

“I want to be reinstated as security officer first class.”

Commander Smythe splutters. “Nowomanhas ever been first class.”

“Yeah, I wonder why.” I don’t let my gaze leave him for a second. “Can’t risk the competition? Those are my terms. Take them or leave them.”

The captain leans and whispers something in the commander’s ear. The color drains from Smythe’s face.

“Agreed.”