Galactic Gale

Chapter Four

Imperial Intervention

Thanks to a handful of smoke pellets Amara found at one of the nearby stalls, Kael was able to create quite the distraction. He rolled the metal cylinders through the open door of a club. They slipped inside, hidden by all the feet moving in and out. He activated the pellets from a safe distance and allowed himself a small smile.

Smoke bellowed out from the club, followed by a sea of bodies and angry complaints. One the unhappy customers, a giant alien with thick legs, grabbed the bouncer and threw him against the wall.

"Nice job," Kael told himself as he slipped closer to the Rapid, one eye on the club and the other on his destination.

Just as he had hoped, the guards turned their attention to the newly sprung chaos – but not for long. They were far more preoccupied with finding the Rapid's captain, or as Kael thought, the prince they had been sent to retrieve.

While the guards' heads were turned, Amara swung up the ladder and into one of their cruiser's defence ships. It was neat little craft with four windows and the same number of wings. Nothing fancy, but not a cheap vessel either.

One. The defence ship's lights flickered to life.

Two. The engines started to warm up.

Three. Amara had the wings rotating into place and the ship rising from its parking spot.

One of the guards caught sight of Amara twisting the vessel against the blackness above. He grabbed his companion and pointed to the ship as it rose higher and higher into space.

It did not take long for all the royal guards to dart across the bay, weapons drawn in response to their ship's escape. Too concerned about catching the vessel, none of them noticed Amara dropped from the emergency exit.

She rolled to covered beside Kael, a smirk spreading over her face. "That sure felt good."

"Autopilot?" Kael asked.

"Autopilot. I sent the course to take them to Sorium."

Kael bit his lip to stop himself from laughing. Sorium was at the other end of the galaxy. If the guards were lucky the ship would run out of fuel and be forced to stop halfway there, otherwise they would be taking a long holiday.

The guards rushed into their remaining ships. While they took off on their hunt, Amara and Kael snuck past the remaining cruisers. They were too large to be send on a hunting mission, so remained helplessly at the bay. Kael clambered into the Rapid via the newly attached ramp, Amara just ahead.

Stopping by the door, she inspected the bolts used to keep the ramp in place. "Not too bad," she muttered mostly to herself, then raised her head to meet Kael's gaze. "I'd say I got my money's worth."

"I'd say it's time we moved the ship." He helped her to her feet, her hand without warmth between his fingers. It was the way of the Henere to be cold. Their blood was put together by different components. Kael sometimes wished was the same. Being warm blooded was not particularly helpful when they reached the sun-deprived colonies of the Regions' outer edges.

Quickly, Amara led the way to the central room of the Rapid. They had been heading directly for the bridge, but Kael grabbed Amara's arm when they had reached the first of the ship's three lounge areas.

One long leg crossed over the other, her bright hair neatly weaved atop her head, Nona Galtionie was enjoying a cup of what Kael could only presume was tea on one of the sofas. She wore a most elegant and eye-catching dress – as always. The fabric was red and covered with lace and small gems at the neck. Gold glitter on her fingers and wrists.