The Endeavour in Sector H

Chapter 8

Upon his arrival, Lnar went to look for Ghir, he wanted to talk to him before the ship takes off. He got bored waiting for him in Ghir's quarters so he went to the bridge. The crew was busy, making last preparations before the takeoff. Ghir walked in. "Status." Lnar turned to the new person on the bridge, not recognizing him immediately. He hasn't seen Ghir for a week. The guy now had a messy beard, the contrast of his hairs and skin more prominent. He looked wild and in a severe need of sleep.

"We're ready to go, waiting for Hor. He's still in the town." - Falin answered him.

"If he doesn't get back in the next 10 minutes, I'm leaving his late ass here." - Ghir grumbled.

"Ghir, I need to have a word with you." - Lnar demanded.

"Tell me. How can I be of service?" - Ghir's attitude changed, it was hard to decide if he was mocking Lnar or not.

"In private." - Lnar's tone hardened.

Ghir led them to a small room next to the bridge, officers quarters.

"I met today a madman who claims that on the moon next to us is the female we're looking for."

"Are you fucking kiddin' me? You, the sceptical Ruler, want to check a madman's ramblings?"

"I have a good hunch. We need to do this. I'm not sure if we'll find her but for some reason we need to check."

"A hunch? Have the Ferri girls fuck your brain to oblivion?"

Lnar moved without a hesitation, his left fist making a contact with Ghir's jaw. Ghir stumbled back, catching the wall next to him to not fall down. His lip was busted and bleeding.

"Don't forget, royal Ghir, who I am. You'll treat me with respect even when my request seems odd to you."

Ghir spit blood on the floor, composing himself back up.

"I apologize, Ruler. We will check your request." Ghir slightly bowed to him and left the room.

Lnar looked up, cursing his temper. Not the first time he lost it.

Falin raised an eyebrow when Ghir got back. Ghir gave him a "don't ask" look.

"Are we complete?"

"We'll be in 30 seconds." - Falin pointed at the screen. Hor was running towards the spaceship, a small posse at his heels.

"Seems we're doing an emergency takeoff. Activate weapons and target the pursuers. Don't fire."

Hor dived in the ship, hitting on the door's close button. The engines roared and lifted them off.

The shouting from the ground grew more distant as they were exiting the dome.

Hor went to the bridge to face the consequences.

"What happened?" - Ghir asked.

"They didn't like me winning."

"No one likes when the opponent has additional help."

"They were begging for it."

"We're going to Lec to investigate a possible clue. You'll sit that one out."

"Yes, boss."

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Ghir went straight for his bed. He ignored his failure for a week but this morning it came crashing down on him. He made a fool of himself and in front of the Ruler. It'd be hard to spin this off. Getting drunk was also his latest bad move, he usually avoided being intoxicated as his mouth blabbered too much. This wasn't his week for sure.