Galactic Gale

Chapter Thirteen

Blown with the Wind

Dread washed over Kael. He stood behind the others, hiding from the Red Runners as much as he could while Amara, Cyre and Abe crossed the street to where a cluster of Retch's people and aliens were gathered.

Sending Abe with Amara and Cyre was a risk, but he was the only one able to carry the kaat without it hissing. No one would be impressed if Amara's crew failed to keep the creature happy whilst transporting it. Letting Abe go had been their only option.

Uterca was dead around them, not a single soul moving down the street. The stores had closed for the night and with no bars or clubs in the area, the locals had either retired to their beds or headed to a more ideal location.

Amara had brought the ship safely down in the centre of the street where the Rapid had been left, a risky move considering parking off designated areas was an act worthy of imprisonment - not to mention potentially harmful to the ship. The authorities were not Kael's biggest concern, however.

From what little he had seen of Retch; Kael had learned enough about the man to safely say he did not like him. There was a dangerous look in his eye, a warning not to mess with him. Kael had no desire to speak with someone so threatening.

It was not his appearance that unnerved Kael. Retch was not particularly tall or large, and he was as human as one could be, with dark hair and smooth skin. He dressed well in expensive three-piece suits. The only weapon he carried was a small gun strapped to his thigh.

No. What worried Kael was not so much as what Retch was. It was who he was.

"There's my captain!" Retch whistled, a bright smile on his face. He clicked his fingers at Amara and ushered his men forward to collect his kaat.

No messengers this time. No stand-ins or representatives. It was never a good sign when the Red Runner's leader showed his face, especially out of his own territory.

Unconsciously, Kael's fingers tapped against his holstered blaster. Something was wrong.

"What's this? A creature from the depths?" Retch stuck his tongue out and make a mock expression of disgust at Abe, his shoulders bouncing up and down. "You certainly have an interesting taste in company, Captain Lee."

"I hate to bring it up, but you have our payment, yes?" Amara wore a smile of her own, but it was bitter and not her usual humorous grin.

"Payment? Yes." Retch waved his hand again, another of his people stepping closer. "Money means little to me. But my precious Catto," he paused while giving the kaat a pat between the ears, his grin growing. "My baby means the world to me."

"Perhaps you should consider giving her better protection," Kael muttered under his breath. The words were lost thanks to the soft rumble of ships in the distance.

"It's hard loving things in a life like this." Retch straightened up and took the case that his guard offered him, twisting it in his hand and thrusting it towards Amara. "Payment. All three hundred and forty-seven credits."

"As we agreed." Cyre took the case and dropped it by her side.

"A pleasure, as always," Amara said with a nod. She started turning back to the ship, arms crossed, when Retch's people raised their weapons.

In a second, Kael and his companions had done the same, trapping Retch, Cyre, Abe and Amara in the middle of the opposing groups line of sight. If anyone were to start shooting, the four of them would be the first to drop.