Star Storm

Chapter Thirty-One

​​​​​​​Warm Welcome

Kael followed Amara across the quiet landing bay, the Henere at their heels. The two Celestial Watch vessels remained empty and untouched, the single station worker resting below them. Colateryll was eerily still as the group hurried along.

The only sound was Kael's footsteps. He felt ashamed of his lack of stealth and blushed when his companions glanced at him. Every step made him wince.

"Here we go," Amara said, a hand held up to stop them. Kael almost collided with her but Dennice grabbed his tunic and held him back. Without speaking, Kael nodded his thanks.

The lights in the corridor blinked. Kael sunk back on his heels and raised his weapon, ready to spring to action if Amara called for help.

Slowly she peeked around the corner – the same one Kael had looked around before they had fled the Colateryll. Amara's body tensed and she moved into the next corridor. Sensing something was wrong, Kael sprung after her.

"Took you long enough to get back," Cyre snapped. The rogue stood in the glass doorway of the medical area, blaster in hand and a smug grin playing on her lips.

Behind Cyre, Kael saw the Celestial Watch officers tied to the bedposts. They appeared to be unconscious. Ry and the rest of Kael's tired crew were watching them, each armed aside from Nona. Meri looked particularly fierce.

Holstering her weapon and telling the others to do the same, Amara smiled at her friend. Dennice embraced Cyre in a warm hug and their two newest companions introduced themselves. Both Amara and Cyre appeared to know Beu and Franc already.

"Did you take the dip?" Cyre asked Amara, eyes wide.

"Promise Amara a ship and she'll do whatever you tell her to," Dennice said.

Kael could not help but notice Ry step closer to Cyre, his attention pinned on Dennice. Jealousy was not easy to hide, and Ry was not doing a good job of keeping his feelings concealed.

"Did these idiots have anything interesting to tell you?" Amara said. She motioned towards the Celestial Watch members with a thumb and Cyre's grin widened.

"Our good friend Hu Waan has moved his fleet north," she said. "A group of Sorii ships has also been busy around the same location. Seems they're nervous."

"It's the base," Traen nodded. "They know we're coming."

"Lover boy thinks we're going to blast some star controlling station apart. But that wasn't in our job description."

With a jolt of surprise, Nona strolled to Traen's side and clutched his arm. Her eyes seemed to look through Kael into the white hallway. Kael tried to meet her gaze, but his sister was having none of it.

"No," Amara said. "It wasn't in our job description." She paused to crack her fingers and looked at each of the crew in turn.

"Lezorith's people killed Jet!" Meri sneered.

"They took me hostage," Nona snorted, her complaint weak compared to Meri's.

"Those storms almost killed every one of us," Kael said. "And thousands will have suffered when stars hit the cities and planets."

"And," Amara added, "they almost put an end to the Rapid."

"I understand if anyone wants to leave now. Your payments, as promised, will be delivered." Kael took a deep breath to steady himself. He did not want to address them quivering, but his nerves were getting the better of him. What he was about to ask was a lot.