The Starlight Lancer

Chapter 134: The Call

"Walking away isn't something that happens much in this line of business."

—Pirate Lord Havrel Egalden in his post-arrest interview with the CID

Baeus was the first to wake; his eyes were still groggy as he floated over to Zaina, all while yawning. "Good morning. Did you sleep?"

She shook her head.

"Want to come with me to check if anything's happened?"

She shrugged and stood. "Not like I have anything better to do. Are those two still asleep?"

"Yeah, they were out," Baeus replied. "I must say, for a mission so fraught with uncertainty, things seem to have broken our way."

"I know what you mean. I'm not sure I trust it, though."

He smiled. "Sometimes what seems good fortune is, in truth, a gathering storm. And sometimes what seems good fortune is good fortune indeed. But when are we to know?"

Zaina glanced back at the cabin before they headed back toward the platforms. Was Kazlo going to be okay by himself with Reida?

She shifted her weight. "Maybe I should stay here instead."

"I understand," he said. "Though I'd wager they'll both be asleep for at least another hour."

Zaina rolled her eyes. "I think you wager too often."

"Perhaps. I think being out in the galaxy has made me a bit more adventurous than usual."

It struck Zaina that Baeus had been on Kaado for quite some time—he probably was having the time of his life, and she didn't want to take that away from him. "I guess there's nothing wrong with a little fun as long as you know when the party's about to stop."

"I would agree," Baeus said. "Well—I'm heading over to see if either contestant gave up. I'll see you back here?"

Zaina turned back to the cabin, then checked the time—it was still early. Early enough that she could spend some time with Baeus. "Ah, what the hell. I'll come with."

"That's the spirit! Let's go check it out."

Side by side they made their way over to the platforms. Neither contestant had moved. The sun was still rising in the sky, and only three Raolgrians had gathered so far. All three were immediately excited to see Baeus, spreading their arms and exclaiming, "Rak-sha-gari!"

Baeus smiled and shouted the greeting back in a guttural voice. The four shared a laugh while Zaina stared on, confused.

"What's going on?" she asked.

"Oh, nothing's happened," Baeus said. "'The game is still on—Rak-sha-gari."

"Oh," Zaina said, making a mental note that Baeus had a bit of a weird streak. "So, uh—what now?"

Baeus' eyebrows scrunched up. "I suppose we head back to the cabin, wait until the others wake up. Once they've had a good breakfast we'll come back here and check again. Sound good?"

"Works for me," she replied.

Baeus said goodbye to his friends, and then the two headed back. Despite still holding on to her trepidations, Zaina was in a much better mood. Kazlo was still deep asleep when they arrived, but Reida wasn't in her bed. One of the bathroom doors was closed, so Zaina didn't think too much of it.

Her eyes fell on Reida's vis-screen, there on her bed—it was open, and there was a new message. Zaina checked to make sure Reida wasn't in sight before creeping closer. The holo-image showed a message from someone named Reetrim saying, Standing by.