Without A Thousand Stars: Part II

Chapter 2

**5 years earlier**

Orion stood in the airlock of the Lewis residence, the purified air thick with tension. Behind him, two bot agents flanked his sides, their emotionless faces scanning the surroundings. He shifted his weight, the sternness of his duty heavy on his shoulders as he raised his hand to knock on the worn metal door.

The door slid open with a hiss, revealing Aelara. She looked exhausted—dark circles beneath her eyes, her hair slightly disheveled. Her eyes were red, the clear remnants of tears hinting at recent grief. She had just been released from the hospital, still reeling from the events of the past few days.

"Hello, Aelara," Orion said, his voice measured. "May we come in?"

Aelara's face softened slightly at the sight of him, though her weariness was evident. "Orion... yes, of course..."

Before she could step aside, Orion interrupted, his tone more formal. "Please, I'm here on official business. Chief Quinn will do."

A flicker of irritation crossed Aelara's face. The formality felt out of place, almost pompous, especially after years of friendship. "Yes, of course, Chief Quinn," she replied, the sharpness in her voice unmistakable. "What can I do for you?"

Orion glanced around the small, modest home as if sizing it up, but his focus remained unbroken. "Where is Alyce?"

Aelara froze, a flicker of confusion crossing her face. "Why are you looking for Alyce?"

Orion's expression hardened. "We have reason to believe she's working with rebels and was responsible for the bombing last week."

The words hit Aelara like a blow, her shock quickly turning into anger. "What? Alyce had nothing to do with that!" Her voice trembled with disbelief.

"We know that a large amount of classified information was downloaded the day of the bombing, using Izra's ID." Orion said coolly, his gaze unrelenting. "And since we haven't been able to recover his body..."

Aelara's anger flared, her chest tightening as memories of their recent tragedies resurfaced. "Why would she be involved in something like that?" she snapped. "Her brother was just sick, the corporation saved him! Why don't you go and find the people who killed my husband, instead of harassing us!"

As if summoned by her words, Zayne appeared at the top of the stairs. His steps were slow, hesitant, his body still frail from his illness. His once-vibrant skin was marred by scars, remnants of the blisters that had nearly taken his life. He was a shadow of his former self, but he was alive.

"Mom? What's going on?" Zayne asked, his voice weak but laced with concern. "Did they find Alyce?"

Aelara's expression softened as she reached for him, pulling him close with a protective arm around his shoulders. "It's okay, sweetheart," she murmured, her voice gentle, though her gaze remained fierce as she looked back at Orion.

Orion recoiled slightly at the sight of Zayne's scars. For a moment, something unreadable flickered in his eyes before he quickly masked it. "If she contacts you," he said, his tone stiff, "I'd suggest you let us know."

Without another word, Orion turned on his heel, the bot agents following as they left the house in tense silence.

As the door closed behind him, Aelara broke. She pulled Zayne closer, her arms tightening around him as she cried into his shoulder. The weight of the accusations, the loss of her husband, the fear for Alyce—it all came crashing down in a torrent of grief.

Zayne stood quietly, his scarred hand resting on his mother's back as she wept, his face blank, but his eyes distant. Both of them, scarred by their battles, were left clinging to each other, unsure of what awaited them next.