Star Storm

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Kael's Crew

Nona did her best not to think about where her brother was with his precious Captain Lee. It hurt, for reasons she could not explain, to known that he and Amara had likely escaped from Colateryll - without her. From the way Kael and Amara had been together during the brief journey to the station, Nona was suspicious of his newfound friendship.

Kael might have come all this way to save her, but was Nona truly his best interest? Had he, like Telion, found another was more worthy of his attention?

She scowled at herself. The plastic chair she had been led to by the Celestial Watch officers released a terrible cry while she struggled to get comfortable. Her poor excuse for a crew did not look any more pleased than she with the situation, but it was hard to tell what any of these people were thinking.

Since being swept from the clutches of the Sorii, Nona had been allowed to do very little. The angry one – was Meri her name? – had trapped Nona in the cramped compartment that the girl had insisted calling the medical bay of the Rapid. Amara had assigned her sour co-pilot to watching Traen and no amount complaints on Nona's behalf was enough to send the tall girl outside so Nona could speak with him in private.

The slither of a moment they had caught together on the landing deck had been their only time together. Nona had not realised how much she had needed to talk with Traen. It had been a long time since she had wanted to apologise to someone, and after everything Traen had risked for her, her words were long overdue.

There had been plenty for Traen to explain as well. But they had been rushed, and once Nona had cleared her conscience, Traen had been determined to share everything he knew about the Sorii and their plans. He wanted to make things right, he'd said. He wanted to show he was better than just a poor soul trying to make a living.

Stealing a glance at where he sat now, Nona felt a heavy weight lift from her shoulders. After seeing the state of his home city and walking the ghost-streets of Sorium's central market district, Nona could not find it in her heart to hate Traen. Of course he had jumped at the opportunity to earn a few credits. He had nothing, and those with nothing had only their life to protect. Traen was not evil or wicked. He was hardly even dangerous. He was simply trying to keep himself alive.

And if anyone knew the desperation of trying to keep themselves afloat, it was Nona.

A strand of twisted red hair fell over her eyes as she rolled her neck. The Watch officer closest to her spared her a quick glance. She flashed her best smile and sat back. "You're looking very official," she said.

It was hard to make out the officer's expression under the heavy visor she wore. Still, the stranger's finger twitching on the trigger of the blaster she carried was enough to tell Nona her latest guards were a little jumpy. She doubted it was due to her royal blood. Amongst these people, this far out in the galaxy, she had learned royalty meant little. No, it was the statues of her other companions that was stirring the Celestial Watch officers.

"I'm Nona, by the way. Nona Galtionie." She raised her chin, ignoring the looks Kael's friends were throwing her way. Cyre's glare was particularly sharp. "You might have heard of me."

"Unless you're about to tell us where your brother and the Captain are, I suggest you keep that tongue behind closed lips." The only guard wearing a black patch on his shirt stepped forward. He had been discussing something with one of his peers, his voice little more than a whisper. The twin blasters on his hips remained strapped to his sides.

"I don't know where they are," Nona admitted.

"Then I don't want to hear you so much as squeak." The officer moved back to his companions, shaking his head.