Soldiers of the Stars

Chapter 24: Through the Dreams and Disasters

TAKODANA - 38 BBY

     "Please, Pa! One more story?"

     Captain Xander Acrux pulled the covers up around his daughter and placed her pink stuffed flurrg, Nu Nu, beside her. "We've had enough adventures for tonight, Firefly. It's time to get some shut-eye."

     Bryka's big blue eyes pleaded, but her father threw back a similar look. He always caved, but tonight he needed them to sleep. Xander glanced out the window overlooking the forest that hid their congenial cabin. The distant firelight drew closer, dancing across the massive trunks and between the shelter of extended limbs and foliage. Their hidden sanctuary would soon be discovered. The pirates were here.

     "But we're not tired, and we want to know more about the Cursed Treasure of Suhail Allenian." Kendall, Captain Acrux's eldest son sat up in his bed.

     "Tomorrow night," Acrux promised, meeting Kendall's deflated gaze. His dusty hair and freckled face reminded him of his nine-year-old self. Kendall would soon be nine, a good age to begin learning how to hold his own. In time, he would teach all his children to fight. Takodana radiated paradise compared to the rest of the galaxy, but danger ran rampant through Acrux's homeworld. He would not have his children fall into the lifestyle he fought so hard to leave. "For now, you all need to rest."

     Protest rose from the three children in their beds as Brietta Acrux entered the room carrying their two-year-old son, Ryland, who rubbed his sleepy eyes. She tucked him into the third bed with her second-oldest, Jaron, and planted a kiss on both their foreheads. Jaron wiped away the kiss. "Ma, tell Pa to finish his story. We need to find the treasure."

     "Home is the greatest treasure, Jaron." She used that phrase often. It was her way of saying that they had everything they needed, leaving no room for complaints. She walked over to Bryka, who requested that she and Nu Nu receive a goodnight kiss as she kicked off her covers. Brietta tucked Bryka back into the bed. "It's time for the little convorees to cuddle up into their nest and dream sweet dreams." Then she added, "Though, I don't know how your father's swashbuckling tales don't give you kids nightmares."

     "They don't get their bravery from me. That's for sure." Xander winked at Bryka before standing and throwing an arm onto his wife's shoulder. "I'll strike a bargain with y'all. If you go to sleep, I'll finish the story of Suhail Allenian tomorrow night and start the story about how I single-handedly escaped the Dathomirian Nightsisters on a Rancor after losing a bet on my ship."

     The children were not convinced. They heard the story of their Pa and his miraculous escape many times. And each time he told it, their Ma would remind him that she was there too. In fact, she was the one who got them out of that mess. All he did was complain about busting out the toe of his favorite pair of boots. Well, he did lose the bet, and technically, he attempted to steal a starship with enhanced weaponry and hyperdrive – a serious upgrade from his previous ride.

     Brietta rolled her eyes exasperatedly at her husband. She was undoubtedly the better negotiator. "And if you all go to sleep now, I'll make chocolate chip hotcakes in the morning," Brietta bribed them in a soothing, sing-song voice. That offer was favorable. Collectively, the four children hushed as they sunk deep into their covers and pretended to fall asleep. Brietta dimmed the nightlight. "Goodnight, my loves," She said softly. No, softly wasn't the right word. It was low – as if her tone was weighed down, taking the whole air of the bedroom with it, leaving only a melancholy uneasiness in its wake. Bryka peeped one eye open to study her parents. Though the room was dark, Bryka could sense the pain strung across her parents' faces as clear as the Southern Crystal Lakes. Her Ma disappeared down the stairs, but her Pa remained propped up against the doorframe.