Starship Amrita

Chapter XIII - Starbound Voyager

Chapter XIII – Starbound Voyager

No sooner was Mu aboard than Ruyin wrapped her in a tight hug. Mu returned the gesture fervently. In that moment all the tension melted away. She didn't even notice the others coming aboard, nor the closing of the craft's door. She simply melted into that hug. And she felt a wave of overwhelming emotion, all the pent-up fear, and stress, and anxiety, all bubbling up and spilling over. The tears came liberally and she didn't try to hold them back.

"My lady..." sniffled Ruyin, "You must stop. You're making me cry too."

Mu pulled back, still holding Ruyin in her arms, but looking the other woman in the face. "I've missed you so much," she said. "I... I've been so alone... I..."

"It's alright, my lady," said Ruyin.

"How... how are you even here?" asked Mu, finally withdrawing her arms from around Ruyin.

"Bright Eyes thought it would be safest," said Ruyin. "After... after you left, I was questioned so many times. They never hurt me, but the atmosphere at Court..."

Mu felt the guilt return. "I'm sorry..."

"No, my lady, you deserve your freedom. And now I'm free too," said Ruyin, smiling.

Mu only now took a moment to take in her surroundings. They were on a middle-sized STOC with a stylishly-appointed interior. Tavian, Harry, Kal, Seraphina, and Mingxia were seated around the main cabin, all silent, all seemingly listening to her conversation with Ruyin, though when she herself glanced around the others all made an attempt to look elsewhere. All except Seraphina who continued to stare her way.

"How did this happen... who was that back there?" said Mu.

"Black Dragon," said Ruyin, then, seemingly sensing Mu's next question, added, "I don't know his real name or anything else. I've never even seen his face. But he works for Bright Eyes and he is incredible... he was not at all bothered by the idea of going up against those Resonance Bureau agents."

"Will he be okay?" asked Mu.

"This was Bright Eyes' plan. He was confident Black Dragon would be okay," said Ruyin.

How anyone could singlehandedly go up against those monsters, Mu did not know. All she knew is that she was grateful and relieved.

"Did... did you follow the agents here?" asked Mu. "I mean... Bright Eyes knew they were coming..."

"More or less," said Ruyin.

"How did you know where to find us tonight?" asked Mu.

"Bright Eyes told us you would be at the Yamen."

Was there anything he didn't know?

"He knows a friend of yours," said Ruyin.

"A friend?"

"Um, Apollo?"

Mu remembered Apollo had mentioned Bright Eyes when they'd first met. She'd been meaning to ask the Captain about that, but in the brief time she'd been on board the Amrita, the opportunity had never arisen. Now she was determined to find out more.

Kal apparently could no longer keep up the façade of not listening in. He was still wearing his armour, but the helmet was lowered to show his face. "Have you spoken to the Captain?" he asked.