Chapter 6 #3
"There's a hooded sweatshirt in my closet that should fit you," she called from the other room. "With sunglasses, we might be able to get you across town without causing a scene."
Solar set aside the empty mug and rose from the bed, his natural golden light now clearly visible beneath his skin. The complete failure of the skin-suit created tactical disadvantages, but he found himself unconcerned by the vulnerability. Here, with Dani, concealment seemed unnecessary.
A memory surfaced from his training. Adaptation to changing battlefield conditions was the mark of a superior warrior.
This situation was not a combat in the traditional sense, but it certainly required adaptation. Milano's hunters, Galaxy Brides' extraction timeline, and his own unexpected connection to an Earth female were all variables requiring strategic reassessment.
Dani returned with clothing, her expression determined. "These should work. The hoodie is extra large, and these sunglasses are the darkest I've got."
Solar accepted the offerings, examining them with curiosity. The garment was black with faded text across the front reading, "Firewalker Festival 2019." The material was soft but substantial enough to block some of his light emissions.
"This will restrict visibility," he observed, holding up the dark glasses.
"That's kind of the point," Dani replied with a smile.
"Better for you to bump into things occasionally than for everyone to see you're literally glowing from within.
Around here, you can get away with looking like you have body paint and tattoos as long as you limit the swirling beneath your skin, but your eyes will give you away.
I swear they hold an entire universe inside of them. Human eyes could never do that."
Solar conceded the logic and began dressing in the Earth clothing.
The loose-fitting garments were more comfortable than he expected, though still restrictive compared to the freedom of his natural state.
Once fully clothed, with the hood pulled forward and the dark glasses in place, he turned to Dani for assessment.
Her expression was a mixture of amusement and approval. "Not bad. You look like a hungover rock star trying to avoid paparazzi."
"This is an effective disguise?" Solar asked skeptically.
"In Duskrock? Absolutely. Half the tourists here are trying to look mysterious and spiritual." She approached, adjusting the hood slightly. "Just keep your hands in your pockets and try not to set anything on fire."
"I maintain precise control of my thermal emissions," Solar informed her with dignity.
"Tell that to my curtains." Dani nodded toward the window, where the edge of one panel showed distinct scorch marks.
Solar had no memory of causing this damage, but given the intensity of their activities the previous night, some unintentional energy discharge was not implausible. "I will pay for replacements. They gave us Earth currency. I do not need it."
"Don't worry about it." Dani waved dismissively. "I'm considering it a souvenir. How many women can say their curtains were singed during alien sex?"
Her casual acceptance of such damage puzzled Solar. On Zorveya, resource efficiency was paramount, and any destruction, even accidental, required formal compensation. Yet another difference between their worlds.
"I should contact Eclipse immediately," Solar said, refocusing on tactical priorities. "Milano's interest creates danger for all three of us."
"Use my phone," Dani offered, retrieving the device from a table. "Does Eclipse have a cell number?"
"We were not provided with Earth communication technology," Solar admitted. "But the retreat where Rowan works should be able to connect us."
Dani nodded, quickly looking up the number and placing the call. After a brief conversation, she handed the phone to Solar.
"They're patching us through to the Desert Suite," she explained.
After several moments of silence, Eclipse's voice came through the device. "This is Eclipse."
"Solar," he identified himself. "We have a situation. Galaxy Brides has made contact. Milano Enterprises is tracking us."
There was a brief pause before Eclipse responded, his voice lowered. "We are aware. Rowan was approached by a Milano representative last night."
"They have accelerated the extraction timeline," Solar continued, summarizing Gary's communication. "Forty-eight hours at coordinates I will transmit separately. We must decide our response."
"Agreed. Return to the suite. Lunar must be informed as well." Eclipse's tone carried the familiar diplomatic caution Solar had come to expect. "This development changes our mission parameters significantly."
"I will arrive shortly," Solar confirmed before ending the call. He turned to Dani, who had been listening with obvious concern. "I must go to the retreat. Eclipse and I need to coordinate our response to this threat."
"I'm coming with you," Dani said immediately, already gathering her keys.
Solar considered objecting on tactical grounds, but quickly recognized the advantages of her assistance. She had local knowledge, transportation capabilities, and direct experience with his true form, which could prove valuable if his disguise failed.
"Your assistance would be appreciated," he acknowledged.
Dani smiled, clearly pleased by his acceptance. "Let me get dressed. We can stop for breakfast burritos on the way."
"Is food consumption a priority in this tactical situation?" Solar asked, genuinely curious about her reasoning.
"Food is always a priority," Dani replied as she pulled on jeans and a t-shirt. "Especially when planning how to avoid shadowy government organizations hunting aliens. Plus, I'm starving after last night."
Solar could not argue with her logic. Energy replenishment was indeed a strategic necessity, particularly given the unknown demands they might face in the coming hours.
And the memory of their night together created a warm surge in his energy field that momentarily brightened his golden glow beneath the concealing clothes.