The Starlight Lancer

Chapter Ninety-Five: A Lancer's Arrival

"Some worlds are known for their lush forests, the impressive harvests of their nutrient-dense soil, or for the special properties of their rare metals; but alas, our world is known for nothing, and is completely unremarkable."

—Udi Olet, Vyzrian poet

Zaina stepped off the ramp of Xyrthe's ship and took in the Deonago spaceport. It was unlike any other she'd been to—for one, it wasn't flat; the port and the city were built in the middle of a mountain range. Steep cliffs surrounded the harbor, their walls smooth as if they'd been carved with a precise mining instrument of world-spanning size.

Circular platforms arranged in layers jutted from four tall, massively thick metal beams that seemed to descend into Vyzria like spears into flesh. The beams, along with the mountains, supported a larger platform above where cargo ships docked, their engines deafening the sky and leaving trails of thick smoke. Zaina was glad to have her lancer mask on for this one.

Immediately, heads swiveled to ogle them—two lancers dressed head-to-toe in their armor. Zaina had a feeling they'd be met with much less mistrust without their marks visible.

"Don't get distracted, kid," Xyrthe said. "We're on the clock."

"Right."

Xyrthe pulled the coordinates to the Strato's Office up on her vis-screen and darted off toward the spaceport's exit, which seemed to cut straight into the heart of a mountain. People watched and whispered while they walked by. More than once Zaina heard the word 'savior' tossed out. While she appreciated the sentiment and hoped they were right, a drop of bitterness soured any potential gratitude; how different would their reactions be with the masks off?

Their path terminated at a lift loop—the surrounding façade was green, and the lift itself was built into the mountain. An empty tubecar, big enough for four people, awaited atop one of the stations leading into the loop.

Xyrthe sighed and stepped into the tubecar. There wasn't much legroom—Zaina squirmed through the small doorway and more or less fell into the seat opposite her mentor. Xyrthe reached for the button to activate the tubecar.

Before she could, a shout came from outside. "Hey! Wait up! Got any room for two?"

Xyrthe turned to Zaina and whispered, "Don't you dare."

Zaina leaned her head out. A young Elevaran man and a very pregnant Elevaran woman greeted her. Their skin was dark gray, and their ears were wide and round; but they were otherwise humanoid.

"We saw you coming in," the young man said. "You're lancers, aren't you?"

"Of course we are," Zaina replied.

"Mind if we join you two? My wife and I have never met a lancer before—much less two!"

Zaina glanced over at Xyrthe, who was shaking her head and making threatening gestures. Then she said, "Yeah, come on in!"

Xyrthe groaned and crossed her arms. Sometimes Zaina felt good annoying her mentor—and it was so easy to do. The couple climbed into the tubecar; the man sat next to Zaina, and the woman sat next to a steaming Xyrthe. The man happily pushed the button, and the tubecar lurched into the lift loop before shuttling off.

"So," the young woman said, "my name is Vina, and this is Mic. It's good to meet you two."

"I'm Zaina, and that's Xyrthe. She doesn't talk much, but I promise she doesn't bite."

Xyrthe mumbled something inaudible in response, but neither of their new friends seemed to mind.

Mic shook his head and said, "I can't believe they called in lancers. Dirzo's serious this time. Those filthy heretics don't stand a chance."