Stellar Saviors

fourteenth chapter

     The door opening flooded white light into the room, sending a signal to my eyes. They peeled open, allowing the figure of Ahvertaa to form in my vision.
     "Come on Marlee, everyone needs to start getting prepared," he left the door and stepped over. Lowering to a crouch by the bed. His eyes looked their brighter red again. I noticed now he wasn't in his usual robes, instead in a frame fitting jumpsuit, small section of armor on his arms and torso. Maybe he wasn't entirely ready yet.
     The hairless end of his tail came into view, curling up by his foot. I sat up, rubbing my eyes. Could I ask him a personal question as well since it'll be a risky day?
    "Ahvertaa, are you sick? Like with cancer or something," I dared to say. He didn't look offended, helping me to stand out of bed.
    "There are sicknesses within our species that will drain the affection of their life very slowly. Even as a beacon, a sickness was born with me. I don't remember being healthy, but some days are better than others. In terms of fatigue," he explained as he led me out to the hallway.
     "How come you're still a beacon, shouldn't you be getting help?"
     "My particular sickness isn't treatable. We call it Stardom, known across the universe. It's the infection of small crystalline shards inside my body. One day, it will take me entirely," he had a dejected look on his face. He brought us to the elevator and continued inside, "Maybe the other Khagvek don't think a new Beacon of my area has been born yet, or maybe they feel sorry for me. I don't want them to, so I'll keep on."
      I thought he was just weak before, and maybe he is, but he's determined. He kept looking forward until we met the lobby.
      I saw Lolti and a few others carrying crates out of the building. Milky rooting her on as she wrote in a folder. I recognized the beacon from my first day, Stilgik, speaking to her. Something about other colonies he's been away at.
      "Lightyear is putting you on Robreal's advance team, he hopes your connection to Glaxxon will aid him in the hunt," Ahvertaa mentioned while we left the tower. Truthfully, I wasn't ready to go out there. After the event with Stirling, I would only go outside the wall for emergencies.
     This could be considered more than an emergency. They needed me to help.
     "In this building you'll find the others on his team, they'll set you up with armor and a weapon. I have to go help transport items to the ships," he motioned to the building we approached. It looked like any other, just was a bit more distant.
     I waved as he hurried off, doing as he instructed me to. Inside I didn't seem to recognize anyone, they all looked focused. Armor and weapon. That's what I need.
      Treat it like an outside run. You and Stirling used to go on so many together.
      One of the men walked up to me, "Marlee right? We got a locker set up for you. Unless you'd prefer one of the Khagvek weapons, there's a rifle in there." He led me to a locket. Inside was the gun and armor, almost identical to how my colonies were. Fairly easy to equip.
      Taking hold of the rifle I could only be reminded of that night, that things smile when I shot it. Horrid beast.
       A ring sounded from the communication device still in my pocket. I opened it to see the familiar 'fight' symbol pop up.
    "We're ready at the ship."
    His voice came from the device. It disappeared quickly and I looked at the others of the team now. Tension filling the air. I wonder if they knew everything or if they only think we're hunting a mutant.
     Nevermind that, we packed a few extra things into our pockets then left the building. Maybe an announcement was sent out, not as many people were outside today.  The humans still had their shops setting up, but not many. Though, it is still sunrise, give them time.
     I saw Salem at the city's edge when we passed, he marked us as leaving. There were four ships on the landing docks, I could see a beacon at each. Lolti had the party size of two beacons, of course she didn't mind that. My team walked straight to Robreal's ship.
     We exchanged only a glance before sitting down. Tightening the buckles over my torso, my rifle hung up on the wall. I could see a couple of crates at the back of the ship, a strange long black box among the group. I had a feeling of what might be inside, but I didn't want to ask.
      Robreal had armor on for today. Much like Marganz did. His shoulders spiked and the chest pieces reminded me of diamond shapes. There was a belt around is hips with two bags attached. Whatever he needed those for, I didn't ask about that either.
      For some reason, I had no wish to speak to him at the moment.
     Was it the tension? Or was it a Golden One thing.
     Either way, we didn't talk for the whole flight.