Love, Against All Odds

II - Chapter 8

Becca had groaned, in satisfaction and loss, when Kal pulled out, the friction reminding them both how good it felt to be together. But they had been spent after a long night of sex that involved both the sitting room and bedroom. Becca had tried to forget that at first light she would be preparing to leave Kander. For days, she had wanted to escape the planet, until last night. She'd known that too soon the twin suns would rise and cast away the darkness that they'd used to hide from prying eyes.

'You should sleep,' Kal had told her, resting on her back next to Becca in the middle of the bed.

Closing her eyes, Becca sensed her exhaustion and also soreness from having sex so many times in one night. Another attempt at it would have become more painful than pleasurable, and Kal would have resisted. After a sigh, she had whispered, 'I know.' Still, she reached over and traced the bicep so close to her fingertip and heard a low purr from Kal. 'I guess I just know I might not make it back after this one.' She'd been tired, confessing her deeper worries to Kal. Guilt wrapped around her heart after telling her fears to Kal, who also seemed concerned about the mission. Still, she continued speaking the truth. 'Every mission is dangerous, but something about this one....'

Kal turned her head to Becca and whispered, 'It's different because your emotions are involved in it.'

Biting her lip, Becca realized that Kal was right. For someone who operated without emotions, Kal was perceptive to them. 'Ja, I think so.' She rolled onto her stomach and pushed her long hair aside before she propped herself up on her elbows. 'I guess that's why Kalatas wipes your emotions and memories. So you can think clearly and make the best decision in the heat of the moment.'

Kal studied Becca, features calm, and hints of light shined in her dark eyes. 'It has its benefits.' She paused and then whispered, 'I'm not plagued by anger, revenge, or anguish. I don't make rash decisions.'

Becca remained quiet, head hung down. She considered what Kal might think of the mission to rescue Starr and released a shaky breath. 'Do you think it's a bad decision to go after Starr?' She peered up, watching Kal's face for any clues.

Shifting, Kal seemed to be buying time, but then she released a soft rumble. 'Joh.'

Closing her eyes, Becca was surprised that Kal agreed with her decision to save Starr, dead or alive.

'But it is a poor decision to try and kill Victor,' Kal whispered, but her voice was firm. 'That could cost you your life.'

Clenching her teeth, eyes still closed, Becca grappled with her anger toward Victor for killing Raakor, taking Starr, destroying her ship, and even killing her. Victor might assume Becca was dead if the assassin, Morris, wasn't linked to Victor. So far, from what Kal had shared, it didn't appear that Morris and Victor were linked and that Morris acted on his own free will. Becca refrained from asking why Morris attacked her, assuming that it had something to do with the minor group of rebels that Dorlon had mentioned to her. Regardless, it wasn't Becca's place or her concern, because she was just a mercenary residing in outer space.

'Even if you succeed in killing him,' Kal had told her, 'you will only make enemies of Serrato Corps.'