The X Pathogen

Chapter Twenty-Six

Ash opened their eyes and rolled off their mattress. Three days had passed since they'd freed a dozen prisoners from the Black Rygnars. Kyo had managed to escape with only some bruised ribs and a mild concussion, which all things considered, was pretty good. They were still sleeping in Jay's hut. He'd been more than willing to share his home, especially since Kyo had gotten him in touch with some people in the GSA about his mysterious girl.
Ash grabbed a jacket and headed outside. A shadow shot above their head. Nadil had started practicing with his new wing the second they'd gotten back to Verdome. His first few attempts had been laughable. He'd crashed more times than he would ever admit to in public. Regardless, Nadil eventually got the hang of it. Once he'd mastered the basics, the rest came easily.
Gemma had invited Saji on a hike with her and Deya to an overlook. Saji eagerly accepted, but Ash chose to stay behind. Since Kyo was in the hospital, they needed to file a mission report. Or at least that was the excuse they'd given at the time. In all honesty, Ash just wanted to sleep in. 
They really did need to file that report though. Ash shoved through the branches lining the path back to the ship. Their communication device onboard would allow them to submit the report they'd finished the night before.
A few minutes later, Ash hit submit and leaned back in their seat. At that exact moment, the door slid open behind them and Jay walked inside.
"Oh, uh... sorry. I didn't realize you were in here," he stuttered.
"What're you doing here?" Ash asked, surprised.
"Agent Kyo gave me permission to use the ship to contact some people with the GSA about... some stuff."
Ash leaned forward, "what kind of 'stuff'".
Jay glared at them, "personal stuff I don't wanna talk about."
Ash folded their arms, "normally I wouldn't pry but you're being really weird about this. Answer the question."
"Fine. If you must know, I'm looking for someone."
"Who?"
Jay groaned, "Not that it's any of your business, but I ran away from home when I was a kid and had to leave my sister behind when I ran. I haven't seen her since and I'm trying to track her down to make sure she's okay."
Ash looked down and scooched away from the communications device. "Okay, that's a pretty good explanation," they mumbled.
"Mph," Jay grunted and started typing.
The ship was dead quiet. Ash felt weird leaving a stranger on the ship alone, so they stayed on board. After a while, they started doodling on their reampad to pass the time.
"You got any siblings?" Jay asked, finally breaking the awkward silence.
"I- had a brother," Ash said uncomfortably.
"Had?"
"He's gone."
"Oh. I'm sorry."
"It was a long time ago, it's fine."
"Still hurts though?" Jay said quietly.
"Yeah. still hurts," Ash muttered.
"I miss my sister every day."
"At least you know she's alive," Ash pulled their knees to their chest.
Jay sighed, "I want to believe she's alive, that she's out there somewhere, but it's been two years since anyone's seen any trace of her. If the GSA can't find her..." his shoulders hunched up, "let's just say I'm down to my last bit of hope."
"You're giving up?"
"Not giving up, exactly," Jay shrugged, "moving on. Sometimes these things are out of our control and... I don't know, Adar has a point. I have a responsibility to this place."
"You two are close?"
"Like brothers."
Ash turned off their reampad, "he seemed really stressed out while you were gone."
"He gets worried. I think he's scared I'm going to disappear one day and never come back."
"Would you?"
Jay started, "No! Absolutely not." He sighed, "I guess I could do more to prove it though."
Ash shrugged, "probably."
Jay groaned, "I know you're right but you are the worst."
"So I've been told by Nadil. Constantly." Ash grinned.
Jay finished whatever he'd been working on and turned off the communication device. "So," he said, "what's the deal with Nadil anyways?"
Ash's eyes narrowed. They weren't sure why Jay was asking about Nadil, but given both of their histories with the Black Rygnars, it couldn't be a good sign. "What do you mean?" they said innocently.
"C'mon, he was acting weird the whole time we were on the ship."
"That's just how he is," Ash shrugged.
"Hm" Jay definitely wasn't buying it, but apparently decided it wasn't worth the effort to pursue the matter any further. "So, where are you from?" he'd dropped Nadil and shifted focus to Ash.
"None of your business," Ash snapped.
"Woah, hit a nerve there," Jay muttered.
"Sorry. I don't like talking about this stuff. Our squad isn't big on sharing."
Jay nodded, "Can't really judge. I'm the same way."
They returned to awkward silence. Jay started drumming his fingers on the armrest of his seat while avoiding eye contact. Ash chewed the inside of their cheek. They desperately wanted to leave but it felt wrong to just walk out without saying anything. Ash was about to say they were going to go check on Kyo when Jay's personal communicator started beeping.
Ash let out a sigh of relief and said, "I'll let you deal with that," and stood up to leave.
Jay connected his communicator into the ship and played the message.
"Hello Jay Aerthen. I am Boss Devark, though you would know me better as the head of the Black Rygnars."
Ash froze with one foot out the door. Jay paused the message. They slowly turned around to look at Jay who motioned for them to sit down.
The message showed a Scorpcilian man in his mid sixties. He wore a fur collared cloak that framed his narrow, fox-like face. Two tentacles with venomous stingers at their tips extended from his temples.
Jay resumed the message.
"I heard you've been looking for your sister," Boss Devark gave a sinister smile, "I have some good news for you."
"No," Jay whispered.
Boss Devark stepped to the side revealing a girl of about fifteen. The girl was gagged and restrained, her blue eyes were wide with fear. "I'd like to make a deal, Mr. Aerthen."
Jay stared at the girl in the message. His eyes were welling with tears, his shoulders slumped.
"Give me the location of the test subjects you've stolen from my organization, and all will be forgiven. You and your precious sister can go free." Boss Devark stepped back in front of the girl, blocking their view of her, "You have three hours to meet me at the coordinates included in this message. Fail to make my deadline, and she dies."
Jay immediately downloaded the coordinates attached to the message.
"What are you doing?" Ash demanded.
"I'm going to meet him. I'm sorry but your ship is faster and I can't risk missing that deadline."
Ash crossed their arms, "look I don't blame you for wanting to rush into this, if I was in your position I'd probably do the same thing, but we need to tell the others about this."
Jay shook his head, "I'm not giving up their position, but I'm not letting that girl die either. Go let them know what I'm doing if you want."
"Fine." Ash settled into their seat, "but I'm coming with you."
Jay stopped booting up the ship, "I- listen you don't have to do that."
"I'd do anything to see my brother again. You have a chance to get your sister back, I'm gonna help."
Jay grimaced and continued getting the ship ready, "that girl isn't my sister."
"What?"
"My sister has brown eyes," Jay said, "she has blue eyes."
"So why are we-?"
"It doesn't matter who she is. No one should be left in the hands of the Black Rygnars."
Ash nodded, "Okay. Let's go then."
"You're still coming?" Jay blinked. The look on his face was so utterly shocked and baffled that it almost would have been funny under different circumstances.
Ash didn't answer. They just pressed a button to close the hatch and started strapping themself in.
Jay nodded, "okay then. Let's do this."