The Starlight Lancer

Chapter Fifty: A Fresh Start

"Settling into a new normal takes time. Unfortunately for us, in our line of work we have little time—and no hope of 'normal,' whatever that is."

—Legendary High Lancer Pria Song, as quoted by her apprentice Kadelaw Bringer in his biography, Collections of Riiva: The Life of a Lancer

Zaina waited for about an hour before a young woman approached. She was a human and wore regular clothes—a white blouse and black slacks, with sandals. Her hair was short and dyed bright blue, and her nose was buried in a vis-screen projected from her wrist.

"Zaina Quin?" she shouted, clearly disinterested.

Zaina jumped off the ship. "That would be me."

"Yes, very good. Follow me."

Zaina nodded. At least this person didn't seem to hate her immediately.

Always a plus.

She tagged along behind the woman, who was still studying her clipboard.

A question burst from Zaina's lips. "So, where are we going?"

In an absent voice, the woman said, "We're going to your housing unit. It's a starter, nothing special. Then, to your sector armory. There you'll meet the person who will teach you how to be a lancer."

"Are you a lancer?"

The woman looked up from her clipboard. She turned and stared at Zaina with bright green eyes. "I was. I renounced my powers on my thirtieth birthday. Now I work for High Scholar Elest Vae as an attendant."

"That's really cool. Well, you know my name. I think it's only fair you tell me yours."

The woman chuckled. "No one's asked me my name in a long time. I'm Ovela Midor. Pleased to meet you, Zaina."

"Pleasure's all mine," Zaina said with a grin, and Ovela returned it. "So really, no one's asked your name in a long time? What, are people here not very friendly?"

Ovela shrugged. "Oh, I don't know. I guess lancers are really busy—I know I usually was. People like me kind of fade into the background."

As they continued moving Zaina asked, "Well, you're not in the background to me. You got any tips for a beginner?"

Ovela thought for a moment. "I'd say, aim for the stars. To be honest, I feel like I could've done more in my time. We don't have long to do this—make it count." She blushed and turned away. "There are times I wish I could have it all back, even for one day. But, such is not the Path of Riiva. Either way, here's our ship, right there."

She pointed toward the nearest platform, right by the edge. A small transport awaited, big enough for four people at most. It was rectangular in shape, and the gray exterior was chipped and rusted. Zaina stooped to fit under the raised door and then held on to her seat as the craft sputtered and spat.

Ovela turned to her and said, "Don't worry. She does that sometimes."

They floated up. The controls extended toward Ovela, and she grabbed them and pulled back, accelerating a bit faster than Zaina was comfortable with. Her grip on the seat tightened, and every muscle in her body tensed up in a single moment as they hurdled from the landing pad, back-flipping off the edge and tracing the jagged rocky ceiling at high speed. Ovela weaved through some of the island's engine struts before pulling away.

Zaina took a few deep breaths. "Well, I wasn't expecting that. You're a hell of a pilot."

Ovela chucked, then said, "Thanks. I don't do that for everyone, though. Our little secret."