Stellar Saviors

eighth chapter

    Stirling. I wonder if he knew it was there. He was so calm now that I recall that day. He just let it happen. Maybe I should be mad that he took the others down with him, he could've warned them at least. But no, I just feel betrayed. He left me, in maybe the worst way possible.
     Sitting up in bed I felt the plush fall off my chest. I couldn't be bothered to pick it up now. There was a nag in my brain. His necklace. It might still be at the tower, or my old house. Or my brain. Or maybe the Outside teams base. I don't remember when I last had it, its been too long. Maybe...
    I can ask Lolti, I just have to find her. I found the bag once more and changed into a new outfit. Some sort, just better suited for outside. Denim shorts and a loose top, I was glad none of this stuff was bunchy. I rushed through the house, putting on my shoes by the door. I had to double check for the keys as I finally left, locking the door as I went.
   If I just back tracked my steps and got to the tower maybe she'll be there. Thats what I was hoping for at least.
    I passed by that house again with the grey children. I didn't know what else to call them. They weren't out yet, maybe its too early for kids to be allowed out. The sun was rising, but not many people were outside at all. Strange.
    Back at our tower, before the Shakall came to collect me. It would be busy on the ground with people working. I was lucky. I applaud my people for not dying of fatigue I know they wouldn't want my applause through. I forget most of them hate me. Stirling never hated me. My pace quickened.
    Nobody seemed to notice over me today, probably since I didn't have Lolti towering over me. It's a good thing though, made it a quick trip to the tower. As compared to the neighborhood sector, the tables and stations had more active people. The early risers must be those who were giving out stuff yesterday They weren't giving out stuff currently, instead it looked like they were preparing to.
    I didn't see many Khagvek out there, but it seemed like they were all inside the tower. It was busy here too. Everyone was walking in all directions. Some sorting papers into stacks, some carrying large bags over their shoulders from one room to the outside, others stood and were in deep conversation. I didn't listen in this time and instead began to snake my way past them, it felt weirdly crowded. If I could get to the elevator I'd be alright.
    It began to feel strangely less dense as I walked through the Khagvek. Their heads turned in my direction and then backing up. I slowed my pace, that uncomfortable feeling building up again. I hesitantly turned my head to follow where they looked. It wasn't me they were watching.
    The Beacon of Rebirth, and . . . One of the other beacons. I remember her from the meeting.
     Instead of spikey or sharp horns that stuck up, hers were smooth and sloped down under her ears.  Most of her skin had been covered then and now but she looked almost a shade of violet. Her hands were clasped together, resting in front of her thighs as they waked. Her face hidden mostly under a veil, two braids fallen against her shoulders. The Beacon of Rebirth, I noticed, was wearing a similar wrapped outfit as hers. Except his was a shade of grey rather than black.
    I glanced at the other Khagveks and began to inch myself out the way. The last thing I wanted to do was something disrespectful and cause a problem. I could feel cold stares on me now, one particularly from the beacon. He loomed beside me now, covering the light that was on me from view. My head slowly raised to meet his eye and I saw the faintest change in his look. I couldn't pinpoint what emotion it was.
    His hand snaked forward and found a place to settle on my lower back, nudging me forward. The other beacon stood by the elevator doors, clicking the butter to signal them open. When we walked past people began to go back to normal, eventually the volume returning to what it was before. The beacons now stood at both sides of me in the elevator. The man was the first to speak,
    "Human, meet the Beacon of Divinity, Meitlakia " He introduced as she lowered her veil. I could see now she did indeed have splotches of light violet over her skin, other patches were a pale white. Her eyes were like the mans, a single shade of tan with the pupil blending in. She too had black markings on both her cheeks and the shape of a diamond over her nose bridge. She had to tug the fabric from her horns in order to fully take it off. She had droopy eyes that slanted like her horns, I thought they were very pretty. She gave me a smile without showing her teeth and reached a hand to rest on top of my head.
    "The other humans call Milky if that'd be easier for you, a nickname as they call it. Say it's easier to pronounce," she had a wispy voice, like it just floated into nonexistent wind. She lowered her hand from me after a few moments. Should I introduce myself too, I've been labeled human by the other Beacon. His hand was still on my back.
    "I'm Marlee," I finally spoke, my voice awfully quiet. I felt the other beacons hand raise and settle on my shoulder, it felt like he squeezed it. Milky nodded her head and looked forward at the elevator doors.
"How come you were coming to the tower? Did you need someone, "She questioned, sounding very sure of what she asked. Did I make it that obvious?
"I hoping to find Lolti, she's who transported me here. I was hoping for a trip back," I explained, gaining another squeeze on my shoulder, that time it caught my attention. I looked up to him, noticed his eyes looked strangely darker.
"Why do you want to leave so soon," he probed. The air suddenly feeling thicker. He made it sound like such a personal thing. I began to mess with the end of my sleeves.
"Well, I wanted to see if I left something at my colonies tower. I didn't really have the chance to pack my stuff before I came here," I replied, my voice faltering. Being in this small space with two alien warriors, very nerve racking! He made a quiet grunting noise and took his hand off my shoulder, earning a glance from Milky. She parted her lips to say something else but then the elevator doors spread open.
I quickly stepped into the cold room to gain some space from the two. From where I stood I could see Lolti in the meeting room we were in yesterday, her and a few humans. Before I could run up to her, Milky glided straight for her. Leaning over where she sat and whispering something. Strange. . .I shook my head to get the thought away and began to walk towards them. Lolti turned her head at me, flashing a smile.
"Beacon of Divinity informed me you wanted a trip back to your colony, just a day trip," she asked, her eyes gliding behind me. Almost on cue, Beacon of Rebirth walked forward and took a seat at the table. His tail kept flicking on my direction
"Yes, just for today. I want to see how my people are doing too," I nodded in confirmation. They hate me, they won't want to see me. And yet I
worry. I noticed a wince from Milky as she sat down, her hand clutching her lower stomach. I worried for just a moment before she sent a smile my way.
"We can depart at any time, I'm needed at your Colony so it'll be a one way trip for me. One of the other beacons can come with us to provide you safe passage to and back," Lolti explained and turned to the humans. Looking at them now I recognized a few. They're from my colony. I see. She waved them off and they left the room.
   I nodded my head, tilting it to the right ever so slightly. I heard a quiet noise echo through the room. A faint fellow. That familiar noise. Beacon of Rebirth shifted in his chair and leaned forward with his elbows on his knees.
"Send Beacon of Silence with him, he's been wanting to get out," he pitched in, earning a nod from Lolti. Was the bellow from him? Are the other just ignoring that? Is it just normal from him.
    Lolti walked into the hallway and I heard a dial tone from a phone sound a few times. I was alone with the two again.
    I know I've seen all the beacons in a room together but I didn't pay attention to their apperance then. If I had a flyer and list of name maybe I could try and guess who is who. Their horns were all distinct at least, I could remember them based on that.
   Like the Beacon of Rebirth. He only had one horn, not any less impressive though.
    Impressive? It's just their biology, I shouldn't be fond of it. Almost secretly I glanced at him. He was basically across the room from me, but his eyes were dead on me. It was a little scary. He's the only Khagvek I've seen that has the same expression all the time. Almost sad looking. But also kind of pissed off. He had angry eyebrows, as funny as that sounds. They were narrow and slanted towards his eyes. His lips are what made him sad. Full and stuck in a frown.
    I was going to keep thinking but it popped in my head that I had been staring. He had been too though, still is actually. I don't know where exactly he was looking. Maybe I should be worried. I could have something on my face again or maybe my hair is messy. Cautiously I raised my hand to smooth my hair down. This earned a quiet chuckle from him. It was something at least. Was it a sign I really had something messed up though? I didn't like being stared at like that
     Lolti returned to the room with a large bulky man clumping behind. He had spikey armor on, I was curious what for. He wasn't hurting people right? His look reminded me of the maniacs a lot. He had a shaved head with two horns straight up out of it. Or.. one and a half. One was broken in the middle, I remember seeing those on the flyer. He has normal eyes with a deep black color to them. He didn't say a word as he woke in, only breathed very deeply. Maybe that's why he's the beacon of silence.
     "Alright, come on we'll be there before the sun reaches its highest. Farewell beacons," Lolti waved a hand to the two still at the table and led us to the elevators. Leaving the room I glanced at him and again, his eyes were still on me. It wasn't until the door was finally closing that he finally looked at Milky.