The Avalon Chronicles

Chapter Thirteen

Riian's crashed ship was on the other side of the Likkua Settlement, and was in worse shape than Ryver could have imagined. When the ship had crashed, it had also flipped several times, breaking off the wings and crushing the bow, coming to rest upside down.

"Has your crew been living in that?" she asked, shocked, hurrying closer to the wreckage. She could see the debris trail behind the husk of the ship, the trail of destruction so wide that scrappers had not even bothered to grab the fallen parts, knowing they were too damaged to be used.

"Yes," Riian answered, jogging after her. "Wait one moment," he said quickly, grabbing her shoulder to stop her. "Let me tell them who you are. Everyone's been very on-edge. I don't want any of them pulling a weapon on you."

Ryver nodded, allowing Riian to approach the ship first, waving his arms in the air before climbing into a hole in the hull of the L44-9 ship.

Even though Ryver knew that she should remain at a distance, she still approached slowly, looking over the badly-damaged ship. The L44-9 was a small ship, often used as private passenger ships or charters between planets, and its sleek design showed that its appearance was just as important as its engines. Seeing the slim, silvery body lying in pieces against the sand was upsetting. She hated seeing ships destroyed, but to see that the captain had completely disregarded all crash-landing protocol made her shake her head in disappointment.

She placed her hand on the side of the ship, pushing against the panel to see how weakened the structure was. When it buckled under her pressure, she knew that the ship was beyond repair.

Even though Riian had not returned to tell her that the others knew she was an ally, Ryver began walking around the ship, looking over the body design and rounding the back to the bent thrusters, one scraped to half its size while the other jutted out of the sand in relatively good condition apart from some bends around the exhaust.

She climbed onto the frame, contorting around the metal to read the part number on the interior, hoping it would match the Avalon's destroyed thruster-igniter and thus save her from having to barter with Kavo.

"Hey," Riian called, rounding the back of the ship. She lifted her head quickly, barely managing to avoid bumping her skull on the bent exhaust. "Hope you don't mind that everyone else is staying hidden in the ship. We've lost many already and everyone is being cautious."

"That's fine," Ryver said, leaning back into the thruster. "Assuming that this part isn't fried, I could use it to repair my ship. It's compatible enough to get us to a different planet."

"You are welcome to look over the entire ship and see what parts you can salvage for yours," Riian said. "Provided that the parts buy us passage on your ship."

Ryver could not help but scoff.

"You nobles and your fancy jargon," she groaned. "I'll take you off this rock if you help me repair my ship. We've already agreed on that." She sat up, looking around the thruster. "Well, that's one part I don't have to buy or trade for. I also need a few engine parts. Mind if I take a look around the engine compartment?"

He shook his head.

She hopped out of the thruster and around the other side of the ship, surprised to see it even more damaged than the first side.

"Was your captain inexperienced?" she groaned. "This ship is destroyed. How hot did you come in?"

"To be honest, it's a blur," Riian answered vaguely.