Galactic Gale

Chapter Twelve

Oh, Kaat

The station's snaking corridors, narrow doorways and small rooms caused Kael and his companions a considerable amount of trouble trouble while trying to find the kaat. They had been forced to split up so they could move more efficiently rather than following one and other in single formation, and Abe had been the first to admit he did not like it.

Amara had grouped them into pairs – a familiar move for her to make. Only this time, she chose different parties, putting Cyre with herself, Valour with Ry, and Kael with Abe. It was almost as if she wanted her crew to squabble.

The curses Cyre had thrown about the new arrangement still drifted through Kael's mind as he scurried down the corridor, twisting to avoid an open doorway. He had an idea about what had caused Amara's new system.

No one liked Abe. Valour found amusement in teasing him, Ry was frightened by his extra limbs, Cyre had no time for his conversations, and Amara had lost her temper when Abe had suggested he stayed on the ship. She had sworn if she were left alone with him, she would shoot him before any of the local thugs could.

Kael hoped Abe had not noticed the crew had turned a cold shoulder to him. The alien was an upbeat and optimistic being, and Kael thought it would crush his ancient heart should he discover those he was riding with wanted him gone as soon as possible.

A stranger dressed in a navy suit rounded the corner. Kael thrusted his blasted into the stranger's nose, kicked him firmly, then finished him off with a blow to the underside of his chin. With Abe's help he hid the unconscious stranger in a storage cupboard nearby.

"I approve of your methods," Abe said in his airy voice, nodding at the man.

Considering Abe was yet to deal with any of the hostiles they had come across – even when they had stumbled into a room of them – Kael did not pass a compliment in return. He only nodded his head, locked the door, and led them onward.

Tel Tontha was a fuel station, neatly placed by the side of its mother city, Tothiani. Every trade route from Uterca to it neighbours passed through the area. Captains and their workers alike were roaming the upper floors while below them a crime organisation held Retch Verters' pet hostage.

The Crimson Cartel was a small, but well armoured group of rogues who had split from the Red Runners, claiming Retch had not treated them fairly. The Cartel had stolen the kaat for a ransom Retch was not willing to pay, and Amara's crew were the fourth lot he had sent to recover his beloved pet.

What had happened to the pervious crews, Kael did not allow himself to imagine.

With any luck, Amara and Cyre would find the kaat, snatch the creature up and call the others back to the ship. Kael had lost interest in the mission. He needed to sort things with Nona, not rescue stolen pets, regardless of the credits it would pay.

Static crackled through his earpiece. Kael heard a faded warning from Amara concerning the central rooms and motioned for Abe to turn. The alien, having no recognisable ears, could not wear one of the devices himself.

"Too many of the Cartel ahead. Amara wants us to double back and regroup," Kael said.

"Surely the more gangsters, the closer we are getting to the creature," Abe said. He had stopped, refusing to retrace their steps and try another route. "I think we should keep going this way."

If he had been with Amara, Kael would have agreed. It made sense for the heavily guarded area to be where their prize was being held, but he had no intention of getting into a fight with Abe by his side.