Soul Eyes

CHAPTER FOUR

 "Jaysa wait! Wait," Novi called behind her. Jaysa did not slow her pace but waved her arm wildly. If Novi wanted to help, Jaysa would not to stop her. A few others joined along.

"What's the plan here?" Novi questioned, catching Jaysa's pace easily.

The Astral vibrated heavily on the left so Jaysa turned a pile of debris, ignoring the limbs protruding from it.

"I have a friend out here," Jaysa said, eyes on high alert for her damaged ship.

"This friend is worth risking your life?" Novi glanced around, eyes alight with dismay at the carnage before her, "And you're sure he's alive?"

"He's too stubborn to die," Jaysa laughed. "But yes."

They ran into no one as they came upon Loop'd'Loop, smoke billowing to the stars and hull dented throughout. It was in a sad state. Marlie was going to have Jaysa's head for this. Not if I fix it, Jaysa smiled, looking down at the Astral, her grip tightening again.

"There's no way to get this thing flying right now. It's got extensive damage," one of the newcomers remarked, stepping forward, one hand resting on the hull.

Novi looked to Jaysa searching for answers.

Jaysa said nothing as she held the Astral to her heart, Novi gasped when she saw it, her expression shocked. Jaysa closed her eyes and whispered lowly to the Astral, hoping Eshra could hear her. She had a feeling she could. When she was done, the Astral alighted with purple flames, of which none harmed Jaysa. The flames licked along her skin in a motherly nature.

Suddenly, the Astral pulled itself from Jaysa's grasp and pinned itself to the hull of Loop'd'Loop. Upon impact, the ship morphed into repair, pieces flying in from all over the fallen space station. They swirled in a metallic tornado above the ship as each one then descended into its respective place. Jaysa noticed more pieces than were needed were fitting themselves in, transforming Loop'd'Loop in a bright, blinding burst of light. Everyone shielded their eyes, shuffling back as the light grew.

Jaysa blinked, waiting impatiently for her eyes to readjust as the light dissipated. She gasped loudly, along with Novi and the four others, when they were able to see again.

Before them was Loop'd'Loop but twice the size it once was, sporting machine gun doors on each side and a second set of wings. The hull was polished and shimmered a delicate orange from the surroundings. It carried six engines, the turbines resting high above them. A ramp lowered with a wispy hiss from under the new and improved Loop'd'Loop.

"You're going in there?" one from the group asked, fear coating her voice.

"I'm not asking anyone to come with me," Jaysa replied calmly. "Everyone is welcome to leave."

Novi ground her feet in place, all arms crossed sternly in front of her. Her eyes were ablaze with determination as she spoke, "You're going to have a lot of injuries, I know it."

Jaysa smirked and turned to the remaining three, noting they all looked very similar in face shape and body frame. Diamond faces with button noses, short slender frames.

"That was the wildest thing I've seen," the boy smiled, showing perfect, white teeth.

The girls stepped forward, the bald one saying, "We're with you. Screw cowering and dying. If you'll let us, we have flight combat experience."

"This is Agatha, Remington, and Olivia. They've served as security escorts for high ranking officials," Novi added in. "And I'm not a bad pilot. You're going to need someone while you shout orders."