Бесплатный фрагмент - Defiant

Tome 1. Defiant

Part 1. Digression

Chapter 1. Sour

Hunter raised his eyes to one of the giant screens and couldn’t hold in his scowl.

It was the same thing again. And it made him sick watching yet another interview about Serena.

Was it really all that necessary to milk the news how the woman sacrificed herself to save the Empress?! Or was it because she did just that — and the Laithorians decided to show their people how loyal Serena really was, even though she had been wronged so much?

«I don’t think she even knew how wonderful she is, you know?» Pher’s face was solemn and eyes sad. «When I met her, I never even suspected how kind, selfless and brave she is. I mean… at the time she was just a woman like any other I’ve ever met, just a stranger… but as soon as I started getting to know her better, I understood that behind her beautiful face and her demeanour there was a woman of intelligence, wit, honour…»

Hunter took a sip from the bottle, feeling irritated hearing those words. Like all that mattered at the moment.

He continued his way, still hearing the interview continuing.

They all went through a series of interviews after the battle that happened on Garmfrig. And those were sent all over the known human Universe, while the war continued and the Company failed again and again to seize their own colonies under their power. MSS Lyssandra and alongside it — the SS Growler, fought on even without Serena helming them in the war.

For two long weeks the fights continued here and there. Two weeks after the failed assassination attempt that was aimed to kill Empress Alathea.

Hunter still remembered the day that happened, like it was yesterday.

He probably had the best vantage point, having landed on one of the balconies above the square on his Dragon hover bike, and keeping an eye out for any dangers. The Empress and her Royal Guards were there, by the podium that was usually a place for advertisements and public speeches made by whoever was leading the colony at the time.

This time the speech was being delivered by the Laithorian Empress herself.

Keeping an eye out, Hunter wasn’t really looking at the Empress and her Royal Guards, understanding very well that trouble could come from other places.

«People of Garmfrig!» Empress Alathea shouted when the gathered crowd fell silent. «The Company has long lied and misled the colonies just like yours! And yet it has come to my attention that you were in need of help, because the Company was wreaking havoc. The Laithorian Empire heard your plea and came to help you overthrow the greedy men and women that benefit from your hard work, while you crawl and seek other means to get necessities! Your hardships are over!»

Before the Empress continued her speech, Hunter saw Serena tensing up in the front rows of the crowd. The woman suddenly glanced around, and only then Hunter heard the Royal Guards moving closer to protect their Empress.

The cyborg looked up, seeing a very fast and agile projectile heading towards the podium.

«Rocket!» he screamed, alerting everyone and jumping to his hover bike to fly off.

He saw Serena activating her armour and jolting towards the podium as the rocket flew by. The jetpack on her back was fast enough to catch up, and — barely — get ahead of the projectile. As the Royal Guards and the Empress began shooting at the rocket that swirled away from their shots every time, Hunter was already heading to aid them.

But then a bright, warping field burst out of the rocket, immediately deactivating Veluthian armour, Serena’s jetpack and Hunter’s hover bike altogether. When he tumbled down to the square, he could see everyone frozen in shock and his beloved landing in front of the Empress just as the rocket exploded in a ball of fire, captivating the whole podium.

Hunter didn’t waste time jumping to his feet and hurrying to the podium as the crowd was erupting in screams and orders — people already moved to capture whoever shot the rocket and were fighting with a group of Company militia that managed to sneak into the square unnoticed.

The cyborg remembered how he landed next to Serena, as she fell down — her back mangled and burnt from the explosion. In an instant he gave her a shot of her stimulator meds he had on him, but he could see that the damage her body sustained was too great.

He wasn’t really hearing the Empress and her Guards — at least, the ones that got away relatively unscathed — screaming orders and organizing a transport ship off Garmfrig. But when medics arrived and tried to take Serena away, he almost fought them, because he wasn’t sure if she was alive or not.

If it weren’t for Wolfin and Lindon — he could have caused harm to the people who were trying to help not only Serena, but other wounded as well — both of Laithorian blood and ones from Garmfrig that were harmed during the assassination attempt.

Now… Hunter couldn’t really think at all and tried his best not to be seen anywhere.

Ever since that day they were all praised for their efforts in the battles, and they tried hard to stay a crew and fight even after Serena was no longer with them.

When the battles finally came to a halt — with the Company accepting its defeat and some of its colonies being freed from the tyrannical rule of the Company administration — MSS Lyssandra and SS Growler returned to Velutha, where they were praised as heroes of the Laithorian Empire.

But all that meant nothing without Serena by their side.

They accepted the Laithorian citizenship that came with their own apartments and everything else that was offered with it, but neither Hunter, nor others felt it was right.

And then came the PR campaign that forced them all into the bothersome routine of speaking to representatives of the Empress and the public relations specialists. Hunter hated those days. He tried to make himself scarce, but failed every time, because everyone knew who he was and where he came from. The man that fought alongside the Hero of Velutha, the Crimson Blade’s loyal Officer — he was recognised wherever he went.

Hunter thought about the interview he was persuaded to give. Lindon and Wolfin were almost begging him to give his side of the story about Serena. So did the others.

He accepted defeat and the Veluthian reporters gathered to hear him speaking about Serena.

Yet, he never finished the interview. It was too hard for him to talk about the woman he loved.

He walked out, because it was excruciating for him to talk about Serena and her heroic act that allowed the Laithorians to rise up, frenzied, and crush all Company efforts in a matter of days.

None of this mattered to him. He wished he could hold her in his arms and tell her how he loved her. But the sight of her back — burned to pitch black, with her bones shattered — kept crawling into his mind, not allowing him to forget the desperation he felt in that moment, when he saw her then. Unmoving, charred and mangled, she barely looked like herself.

Hunter gritted his teeth, trying hard not to allow tears bursting again. Veluthians do not approve of emotions. And he learned the hard way — everything you feel, should be kept behind closed doors.

The cyborg sipped some more alcohol out of the bottle and headed home, feeling hollow and alone. He took a deep breath, stepping a little faster to reach his cold, lonely apartment that he received for everything he was a part of thanks to Serena.

Everything seemed so wrong without her.

Chapter 2. Grasp

Laneth sighed, seeing Kayla grasping at the Scythian guitar again. The girl kept the instrument in her hands at all times — ever since what happened on Garmfrig.

Now, seeing Kayla sleeping soundly with the guitar by her side, Laneth couldn’t help but wonder if she would ever let go of the instrument. The woman heard John stepping behind her and felt him placing his palm on her shoulder, gently caressing.

She stood, leaving the girl she basically adopted over time, and walked out of her room, followed by John, who closed the door softly behind them.

«Any news from the others?» Laneth took a shaky, shallow breath.

«Not yet.» John shook his head.

The man saw Laneth stopping and suddenly turning to him, embracing. He didn’t deny her this bit of comfort, caressing her shoulder and landing a kiss to her head.

«It’s going to be alright.» he whispered.

«Will it, though?» she said, hiding her face on his broad chest.

«I’m sure it will.»

Laneth took a very deep breath and leaned back, feeling herself shivering.

«Will you be okay tomorrow, if I’ll go to work with Ilzer and his Engineering crew?» she asked.

«Of course! I can take Kayla to the museum, maybe distract her from all this… shit.» the man replied, feeling unnerved that everyone has been coping with the situation in such different ways.

Ever since Garmfrig, Laneth began to throw herself into work whenever she could — desperately trying to grasp at something she was good at and trying not to think about Serena. With the Empress’ introductions, Laneth started to work with the Royal Engineer Ilzer Garad, who was fascinated at the woman of Terran descent, who managed to find out so much about technology in such a short time — and all on her own.

Ilzer kept saying Laneth was a prodigy, and the woman waved it off every time, preferring to work, and not get swamped by the very same thoughts every time she stopped.

Something calming was in a way the Royal Engineering Bay worked.

This time it wasn’t any different. Laneth arrived, parking her Dragon in one of the corners, and Ilzer hurried to greet her. The man loved working with the mechanic from MSS Lyssandra — she had shown him so many designs he found extremely intriguing.

Together they now worked on a few of those — the very same ones Serena always said they would need more space, manpower and resources to build.

Laneth knew that even though she already had credits rolling in for supplying the Royal Engineers with her ideas and expertise — however little she thought about it — she wasn’t exactly looking to get money out of bringing her designs to life. It was the work that helped her be distracted, collected and calm.

She desperately needed to stay calm — for Kayla’s sake.

The girl, even though she was young, kept her emotions in check, which made her almost undistinguishable from Veluthian kids. But, unlike those, Kayla studied at home — mainly on her own, or with John helping her while Laneth was out.

«Laneth?» Ilzer’s voice made the woman flinch.

She froze, thinking about her adoptive daughter.

«What is it?» the woman replied, shaking of the sudden tension in her shoulders.

The Royal engineer offered her the wrench that slipped out of her grasp. He was silent, but in his eyes she saw him being worried for her.

«Thanks.» Laneth took the tool, shaking her head. «I got a little carried away in my thoughts.»

«We can take a break…»

«No need, I’m fine!» the woman gritted her teeth, then froze for a second and straightened. «On the other hand… I do need a moment or two!»

She handed Ilzer her tool and stepped away, grabbing her information tablet.

A new idea struck her suddenly — out of the blue — and she needed to write it down. She didn’t know how long she was sitting there, drafting her design, until Ilzer walked up again:

«Laneth?»

The woman turned the screen to the Royal engineer and he leaned in studying her new idea with a frown.

«You haven’t had success in making small scouting ships equipped with a reconfiguration module. This one will do the trick. Small and doesn’t use as much energy.» Laneth handed the tablet to the man and stood from the floor. «Plus it will show up during scanning, unlike any holographic cloaking you might have used before.»

«You based this off our armour pins…» Ilzer was shocked to see the same principle used in the device.

«If you can find an appropriate way to unite the systems without having to add an additional code…»

«Oh, that won’t be a problem…» Ilzer smiled to the woman. «Look!»

Laneth stepped closer to the man and saw him making a few notes, adding to her design a variation that would provide an additional shield to the scouting vessel. He showed her a couple of circuits that could be replaced with a higher capacity ones to make sure this upgrade module wouldn’t need any additional coding or programming involved.

«This way, if we program the initial module the same way we do our armour pins, it will be able to provide a reconfiguration option to all the models of our scouting ships.» Ilzer finished with a beaming smile.

Laneth nodded, agreeing and remembering the few details he changed, so that she could use the same things later in other designs and ideas.

«I wasn’t sure about which metals to use, though, but I guess you figured it out.» she said.

«Can I ask you a favour?» Ilzer suddenly became collected and glanced aside. «I have a personal project I wanted to make a prototype of to show the others and the Empress herself, but I have encountered a couple of problems. Maybe you could help me find where my calculations went wrong?»

«Sure.» Laneth was eager to stay focused and working, so that the thoughts about Serena wouldn’t come crawling into her mind again.

«This way…» Ilzer gestured aside.

He led her into another hangar, where the space was divided into cubicles big enough to hold a small space ship, similar to those scouting ones they’ve been talking about. Laneth saw the man approaching one of the cubicles, where an old model of a scouting ship stood, its insides taken apart and some new module in their place.

While Ilzer explained to her his thoughts about the project, the woman stepped up to the ship, examining what he had replaced. It took her less than a minute to understand that he was working on connecting Falana’s cloaking device to the ship.

The prototypes she provided were used in large ships, and she never supplied Veluthians with something that would work on smaller ones.

«Having trouble not frying the engine, when the device is switching on, right?» Laneth asked suddenly, when Ilzer paused to see her leaning into the engine compartment.

«Yes, unfortunately Falana, however dishonourable and foul she was, gave us only the schematics for a powerful cloaking device. We’re having trouble figuring out how to change it to make it work for our smaller ships.»

Laneth nodded, already engaged into her work. She examined the connections, circuits, chips and everything else, before frowning and extending her arm to the Royal Engineer:

«Hand me a screwdriver, please…»

The next few hours she grasped at the whole concept of working with Ilzer directly, feeling strange seeing the man working alongside her more as an assistant, rather than one of the leading engineers that he was.

When they finished, Ilzer was extremely glad to see his prototype working.

«I am so happy I came to know you, Laneth. You are a miracle of a mechanic!» Ilzer bowed, grateful for her help.

The woman didn’t answer. And although she was happy she could help, the feeling of dread slowly filled her heart again. She needed to go home — to John and Kayla. However strongly she loved and cared for them, it was at times like those she remembered how badly she missed Serena.

Chapter 3. Meditation

Lindon looked at the garden of his estate and felt a painful aching appearing in his heart.

While helping the Empress finishing off the Company resistance he was focused, collected and managed to keep his thoughts and feelings at bay. Now… he couldn’t help himself thinking about Serena.

He knew that everyone in his estate saw him freezing from time to time and falling into thoughts. No one had said anything, but the fact they all noticed him being so distracted, weighed on him. He wasn’t supposed to show so much emotion — even within grounds of his own home. And yet he did.

«You’re thinking about her again.» he heard Wolfin approaching from behind.

Wolfin was the only one who visited him constantly. He was the only one who really understood what it was like for him. A Veluthian knows…

«I am.» Lindon admitted, nodding.

«If she were to come back today, she would have seen you being less of a man you were, Lindon. Do you think she would approve?» Wolfin sighed.

«Approve? Probably not. Support me in my grief — definitely.»

Wolfin slapped his back with a smirk:

«See? You know how she’d act seeing you right now. So why not change something?»

«Because I feel helpless, Wolfin. I can’t…»

«You can.» Wolfin twitched his brow, unapprovingly. «You just don’t want to.»

Lindon couldn’t hold in a scowl:

«Maybe you’re right.» he said. «I don’t want to. Because I want something else.»

«You want her, and I can understand that.»

«I miss her too much, Wolfin. I can’t bring myself not to miss her.»

«We all do. We all cope in our own ways, but…» Wolfin sighed heavily. «When was the last time you meditated? You have such a beautiful place to do that, and I think you’d feel better if you did.»

«The last time…» Lindon shook his head. «It was before Garmfrig.»

«Come on… I want to show you something.»

Lindon didn’t allow his dark thoughts to decline Wolfin’s invitation to walk deeper into the gardens, where they sat on a bench and Serena’s mentor gestured to the various flowers growing before their eyes.

«Look at these. Do you know how many times Serena told me that she enjoyed this very sight? She would remember them when we were somewhere deep in space, reminiscing on the times she spent here, with you.» Wolfin said.

«She never said anything to me.» Lindon shook his head. «I thought our walks here always meant more to her in terms of our conversations…»

«That too. But she always found time to enjoy the sights here as well. She told me that it gave her a sense of calm, some way to keep her thoughts clear from the dark and heavy ones that crept in all the time.»

«I can’t blame her. She’s been through so much.» Lindon sighed, and a smile crept onto his face. «She was always so fierce, and yet found ways to stay collected. Even in the darkest of times… I love that about her.»

«Well, if we won’t be taking into account how many times she actually fallen prey to her inner darkness…»

«That’s what I mean, Wolfin. She did fall prey to it so many times, and every time she freed herself from it. I can’t imagine what kind of strength that takes. I can’t even seem to drag myself out of the dark, and I always thought I was strong.»

«Strength has its ways, Lindon. Sometimes we need to fall to get up again. You don’t even know how many times I saw her fall and get up when she was a child. I looked at her then, seeing her becoming angry, not hurt, and the very same trait I saw when we reconnected.»

«She never really told me much about her childhood. What was she really like?»

A warm smile appeared on Wolfin’s lips and he looked down, remembering:

«Stubborn. Strong-willed. Determined.» he replied. «I saw so many children her age crying after a fall. But she never did. No matter how hurt she was, how hard of a fall she experienced, she just grunted, got up and ran off again. And unlike her peers she was a daredevil and a prankster.»

The man sighed heavily, closing his eyes.

«She did mention she used to play tricks on you.» Lindon smirked.

«The only child that could sneak up on me unnoticed.» Wolfin agreed with a wide smile. «She jumped me every opportunity she had. One time she landed on my shoulders, jumping off one of the tallest trees in her family estate. I almost fell, even though she was so little. Imagine my surprise finding a stick that represented a sword at my throat.»

Lindon cackled, picturing the tall Veluthian caught off-guard by a little girl.

«She was always aiming to be better than her peers.» Lindon chuckled. «I loved that about her ever since we’ve met for the first time.»

«I never got a chance to ask…» Wolfin glanced at the man. «How… exactly did you two meet?»

«In the Academy I got transferred to another regiment, because I was top of my class.» Lindon smiled, glancing at the flowerbeds. «Serena… she was there, a little distant from others. And my new classmates decided to pull a prank on me. They offered me a bet I won’t be able to get her attention.»

«As in…» Wolfin twitched his brow.

«Yes. They all said that she’s a hard one to get. I didn’t know at the time that she declined every offer to share a bed.» Lindon touched his cheek. «I approached her, trying to figure out why a young woman so beautiful would be so distant, and found her reading one of the history books about Artemis Serdana. She outright blew me off, denying me any attention at all, but I didn’t back down.»

«Let me guess, she challenged you to a duel to make you stop your advances?»

«No. I was the one who challenged her.» Lindon chuckled. «She defeated me so quickly that I realised there is no other woman like her. I guess, that very moment was the point I fell in love with her. She left me a scar, and I kept it, making a tattoo of it after it faded. I wanted to keep hold of that memory…»

«But you did have a relationship with her while in the Academy… what changed?»

«After my defeat we were sent out to a battle… Serena found me after we got back and told me she was impressed.» Lindon shook his head. «Both by the fact that I challenged her and by the sight she saw on the battle field. We got some drinks, and I… expected to spend the night talking, but she was the one to approach me. That was our first night together.»

«I think she saw you for who you really are, Lindon.»

«I’m not sure what she saw in me then. But she did make me want to be stronger and worthy of her attention. Life might have pulled us away for a time, but I never lost hope. Though, I must admit it was extremely hard not to think that someone as low as the likes of me would ever be good enough for the heir of the Thara-Lyss family.»

«And yet here you are. The man who offered her marriage, and the one she accepted into her life and crew without a single thought.» Wolfin slapped Lindon on his shoulder. «Remember this. And try to think how well she influenced you. I never heard her say anything about accepting any marriage proposals, Lindon. She wanted to be yours… eventually. I think she thought you being the only Veluthian worthy of being her husband, if it were ever to come to that…»

Lindon didn’t reply, falling deep into his thoughts and Wolfin pat his back, standing up. Leaving Lindon alone, Serena’s mentor knew he helped the man get his thoughts together. Perhaps, Lindon will spend a couple of hours meditating by the flowers Serena loved so much.

He wasn’t wrong.

Chapter 4. New Garmfrig Council

Killian was distracted again, walking into the new hall that was built in a joint effort between Laithorians and people of the colony.

The man knew how much it all meant, but even weeks after couldn’t really shake off the thought of what happened to Serena. He saw it all, and saw her being taken away by the Laithorian medics. But no one ever told him if she ever survived.

He couldn’t bring himself to contact her crew, and always thought that if they were silent — that meant Serena was dead and they were grieving.

The old gangster sighed.

They all loved her — not just for the things she had done to help them all, but also for the woman she was.

«Distracted again, Killian?» Jaleka slipped to his side, walking next to him to their seats.

«Thinking.» Killian replied, throwing a careful glance at the Council members.

Once they were all mafia or gangsters that held Garmfrig and the nearby settlements under control. Now they became legal representatives and businessmen who influenced how Garmfrig would actually go on.

«I hope your thoughts are about the new trading agreements with Laithorians. We’re looking forward to that.» Jaleka smiled charmingly.

Killian stopped, turning to the woman and tilted his head:

«I know very well that you’re looking for profit. I, on the other hand, am looking to better the community that the Company almost ran down into ashes with its greed for profit!» he said. «I would advise you turn your eyes to seeking benefits for everyone living here, not just yourself.»

The man walked off and took his seat.

He saw no difference between what used to be and what came to be — they still held great power over Garmfrig and its surroundings, they still did as they used to when deciding on their further actions…

They still squabbled, like they used to.

Killian watched everyone taking their seats — including those representatives that the people appointed to be there.

Unlike the usual mafia meetings, where Killian gathered twelve people, including himself and his right-hand man Silt, this Council grew to a gathering of two dozen. Some of those weren’t part of what used to be the mafia or gangs that run the place, and it eased Killian’s mind to see doctors, teachers and engineers taking part in making Garmfrig more prosperous in the near future.

They’ve already come a long way, discussing matters, and it helped Killian distract himself from thinking about Serena too much.

«…the fact that Laithorians have helped us doesn’t mean we need to abide by their laws…» he suddenly heard Jaleka pushing her speech.

«It does!» Killian raised his voice, making other people fall silent.

«No, Killian, it doesn’t!» Jaleka frowned. «We’ve gained an ally, sure, new trade prospects, most definitely, but…»

«There’s no discussion here, Jaleka! We agreed to accept their help and negotiate our colonies falling under their Empire. You want to betray their trust? After all they’ve done for us? For the people of Garmfrig?»

«You wanted this, Killian! None of us did!»

«I agree with him, Jaleka.» Salara smirked. «We did negotiate with Laithorians for the sake of everyone, not just our own businesses and profits.»

«If Serena was here…» Killian sighed, frustrated.

«Your Veluthian whore is dead, Killian!» Jaleka jumped to her feet. «Get used to it and stop mentioning her in this Council! She did what she did for the benefit of her people, not ours!»

«That’s not true.» Thirden Leeds looked at the woman. «Laithorians gained nothing with Garmfrig or even our other colonies. Just more mouths to feed and look after.»

«Is there no one here, who would agree with me?» Jaleka glanced around, furious. «Or have you all lost your minds after being brainwashed by the Laithorian emissaries?»

«While I do agree that Laithorian laws that are being introduced are… harsh…» one of the new members stood up, a slim, short man with a mane of copper hair he kept neatly brushed back. «I do have to say they are quite just and much more appropriate for the people.»

Killian glanced at the man, noting this University lecturer — Ludwig Risson — for a future conversation.

«I don’t see how the Laithorian laws can be just, Ludwig!» Jaleka scowled. «Two of my men were executed three days ago simply for crash landing into a building.»

«They were drunk, Jaleka.» Tolan cleared his throat. «And their actions killed seventeen innocent people. I’d say this was an appropriate punishment for being so inconsiderate for the lives of others and does help set a precedent for other pilots not to be as irresponsible.»

«Let’s put it to vote.» Killian put a smile to his face. «All, who are for following Laithorian laws and continuing to integrate into their Empire, raise your hands…»

Jaleka looked around, seeing twenty hands up.

«All against?» Killian felt calmer than just a few minutes ago.

Only Jaleka put her hand up.

«Twenty votes for, one against, two members abstained.» Silt marked the voting on his information tablet.

Killian noted the two people who decided not to vote, and said:

«You’re overruled, Jaleka. The Council has spoken. We continue to integrate, becoming part of the Laithorian Empire.»

«Fools!» Jaleka hissed, storming out.

«Council adjourned.» Killian sighed, making eye contact with Silt, who nodded in a silent reply.

Because of Jaleka and her arrogant speeches they didn’t get a chance to discuss everything else they were supposed to. The new laws they agreed to influenced how the Council worked as well — to have a fair discussion and voting on any matter, all members have to be present — either themselves or by means of a proxy, which was decided before the meeting began.

By storming out, Jaleka essentially wasted everyone’s time, forcing them to close the session before time.

Killian suspected she would be the one causing trouble, but so far she tried her best to act a little more subtle and relied on her charms, and not her emotions.

Something happened. He knew it, but couldn’t know what.

«Silt…» Killian gestured to his associate. «Find out what Jaleka is up to. I feel like she’s been thinking of doing something rash…»

«Yes, sir.» Silt replied, quickly retreating away.

Most members of the New Garmfrig Council stayed back, deep in thought.

«Is anyone hungry?» Killian tried his best to sound more at ease than he was. «How about I treat you all to dinner and we could share our thoughts on the matter Jaleka raised today?»

He glanced around, seeing people slowly nodding to his proposal.

Killian hated politics. But he was good at it.

Chapter 5. Frontier

Cipher sat on the bridge of his ship, watching the Laithorian fleet surrounding what little spaceships were left of the once proud and vast Company forces. The man knew how hard the war was on everyone, and understood the sacrifices that have been made.

He sacrificed much in the course of his life. First — for the Company that employed him and gave him some sense of a belonging. Then he sacrificed the life he had built — however futile it was — and ran from the bastards that never really understood how to keep their people loyal, always pushing them to the brink of morality and hope.

Cipher sighed, remembering the fateful meeting he and his friends stumbled upon.

Serena seemed to have been stripped of all hope and sense of life — of any kind, except that she got used to. She was such a hopeless girl when they’ve met. And yet he later learned how much she too had sacrificed. Just to stay alive.

Time and time again, after being in such strange circumstances, she showed him how sacrifice can be made willingly, not forced or made out of desperation. She taught him so much over the years they stayed together.

Her greatest sacrifice was made not when she jumped to shield the Laithorian Empress, but when she destroyed Terra, following the order her Empress gave. The Captain knew how hard this would impact her crew. She knew, and went through with the order. That day she sacrificed her own happiness and the life she had built for herself for the greater good.

They didn’t know that at the time.

Now, being on the same side as the Laithorian forces and supporting the fight for freedom on human colonies that have been abused by the Company for so long… Cipher couldn’t bear the thought of being here alone, without Serena by his side with her magnificent ship MSS Lyssandra.

He wished things would be different.

And yet here he was today, watching history being made.

Empress Alathea was meeting with the representatives of the Company, negotiating their absolute surrender. He heard over the communication lines what the Laithorians demanded. Cipher found it fair and justified — after everything the Company did both to Laithorians and the people on Terran colonies, the demands made were but a small retribution.

«I wish Serena was here.» he sighed.

His crew — though small — stood silently, each thinking of their own.

Finally, Fisk, who decided to join them while the MSS Lyssandra’s crew stayed on Velutha, spoke up:

«I’m sure she wouldn’t see this as something she started.»

Dean grunted — though, the mute had his ways of communicating, he still held a grudge against the Captain of MSS Lyssandra for what she had done to the population of Terra.

«I don’t think she actually started the war, Fisk.» Taliesin ran his hand through the now dyed purple Mohawk on his head. «She played a part in it, sure, but come on…»

«A significant part, Tal.» Pher stepped up to the window, watching the Terran fleet slowly falling back to return to the colonies they still had after all the fighting. «Serena has done much more she would have ever admitted to herself.»

«We don’t know her at all, and damn! Than woman sounds like one I’d like to have as a friend!» a woman chuckled behind him.

Pher turned to the two newcomers of their crew — two women, beautiful, yet tough — and thought how they came aboard, joining their fight on one of the colonies. So far they’ve proven to be loyal and just. Lilith and Lola looked like striking opposites — one tall, lithe and blond, another one shorter, more muscular and dark-haired.

«I think she’d love to have you as friends, girls…» Cipher took a deep breath.

«Incoming message, Captain.» Lola leaned in to her work station.

«Put it through.»

The window turned into a screen, showing one of the Generals Cipher already knew.

«Captain Cipher.» the black-skinned man bowed slightly, greeting the Terran man.

«General.» Cipher returned the courtesy, already used to the ceremonial traditions of Veluthians that treated him and his crew with respect and trust.

«Empress Alathea expresses her gratitude to you and your crew for being part of the frontier negotiations and wishes to pass you a monetary reward for your efforts alongside an offer to continue working for her.»

«Thank you. I appreciate the gesture. I’d have to think it over though, no offence.»

«None taken, Captain. You may return to Velutha to reconvene and discuss this with your friends. You and your crew are always welcome there.»

«Thank you, General.» Cipher watched the man bow again and the communication line cut off.

«We’re going back?» Fisk asked.

Cipher took a few minutes to think:

«I’m not sure anyone from MSS Lyssandra are ready to face us yet.» he grunted. «Anyone have any ideas where we could spend some time?»

«Sir?» Lola called out. «The Laithorian people have uploaded a number of possible missions we could take along the way…»

«Oh?»

«Here…» the woman sent the list to Cipher’s screen. «We could help a couple of colonies.»

«I know a place or two in these ones…» Lilith leaned in next to Cipher with a charming smile. «They have good booze there, we could pick up a couple of cases to treat the others…»

Cipher grunted, thinking it over, and then sent confirmation to others about a couple of missions he was going to take upon before returning to Velutha.

Chapter 6. Awakening

Serena slowly opened her eyes, and cursed the strike of fate that didn’t let her die. She didn’t doubt she was still alive. However, she could barely see, but what she could — made no sense.

Silver plating and dim light surrounded her.

Her consciousness failed her quickly, but when she came to her senses again, she could feel her body once more. The heavy, agonising pain was first to come. And then there was the feeling of helplessness, as she couldn’t even move at all.

Serena didn’t fight it when her mind went blank, throwing her into the unconscious state.

From time to time she would swim out again, only to succumb to the darkness shortly.

Finally, she managed to wake up and grasp at reality, not allowing the weakness to take over once more. Only then she realised she was lying face down in some sort of a medical pod she hadn’t seen before.

Slowly and weakly turning her head she noticed her hands bound to the pod.

«Please, remain calm.» she heard a soft female voice through the ringing in her ears. «You are safe and being treated from the injuries you have suffered.»

The pod administered some medicine and Serena felt her mind slipping again.

The next time she awakened her hands were no longer bound. Serena gritted her teeth and tried to push herself up.

«It is highly recommended you stay in the pod, Lady Serena…» the same voice came through.

The woman realised that it could be the AI speaking to her. Failing to get up, Serena closed her eyes, feeling dizzy and weak.

«Where…» Serena exhaled, her voice coarse and raspy. «Am I?»

«You are in a private section of the Imperial Hospital. Please, stay in the pod. Your Medic has been notified of your awakening and will be arriving shortly.»

Serena allowed herself to stay lying and closed her eyes, almost immediately dozing off. However, she forced her eyes open once she heard approaching footsteps. Forcing through the nauseating wave, she turned her head towards the sound and saw a tall, slim man approaching. He was green eyed and with short cut dark hair — so short, that it looked almost non-existent.

«Lady Serena.» the man bowed. «Allow me to introduce myself. I am Alpha level medic Kareem Dorn Thilidin. I was entrusted with your well-being until you recover from the immense injuries you have suffered.»

The woman tried hard to push herself up, but failed again:

«Empress Alathea…» she felt the medic touch her arm and stopped trying to get up.

«She is alive and well, Lady Serena. We all saw what happened. You and your crew saved Empress Alathea’s life.» the medic stepped aside and ordered the pod to run a scan. «And though your injuries were severe, you are healing quite well.»

«My crew…» Serena felt her head spinning again.

«They’ve apprehended the criminals that failed to assassinate our Empress, Lady Serena.»

«They’re alive…»

«They’re all alive and well, my lady.» the medic administered some medicine. «Now, sleep. You need to recover. Our Empress will be happy to hear you are getting better by the day…»

Serena couldn’t answer, already succumbing to the sedative she received.

She didn’t know how long she slept, but when she woke up once more, she pushed herself up — even though she was still feeling bursts of pain in her back. The AI kept trying to talk her into staying in the pod, but Serena gritted her teeth and sat up.

The woman didn’t know how long it took her to do that, but as soon as she did — the medic she already saw before ran into the room and hurriedly approached her.

«Don’t dare tell me to lie down again, Kareem.» Serena growled at the man.

He frowned at such a statement, then smirked and contacted someone through his information tablet.

«You’re not in the condition to go anywhere, Lady Serena…» he said. «But I was warned by your crew that you are a very stubborn woman who disregards her injuries often.»

«Show me what happened to me…» Serena swallowed hard, battling with the dizziness that hit her again.

Kareem smirked and showed her his information tablet with her initial scans.

Serena saw her body in shambles: all the muscles on her back were burned off by the explosion, her ribs shattered, spine broken in a few places. It was a miracle she was alive.

The door slid open and a couple of helper bots appeared. One of those flew up to Serena, who sat shocked at the news, and offered her water. The woman took it without question, emptying the unbreakable packet used for patients during recovery in a couple of big gulps.

«How?» she exhaled, slowly shaking her head.

«How are you alive?» Kareem chuckled. «Only thanks to the quick thinking of your crew members, Lady Serena. Your Officer… Hunter, he administered some emergency stims you made on your ship. Fascinating mix, my lady. I do admire the thought that came into that.»

«I know how to survive, Kareem.»

«And that is extremely admirable, Lady Serena. Please, will you be so kind to grant us the mixture recipe for medical use? It has proven itself quite effective in your case… Even though we didn’t have much hope at first.»

«I thought every mix I made was logged and sent to Veluthian servers every time I visited?» Serena glanced aside to the patiently waiting helper bots — one of those carried something reminiscent of a free-flowing robe.

«For usual ships this is true. Yours, however, was not uploading everything. The unique medical mixtures you’ve concocted on your own weren’t supplied to the servers for public use.» Kareem tilted his head. «I hope you understand that if you wish to end your military career at any time, the medical field would be thrilled to have you help us make medicinal mixtures. I think you’d be a great medic.»

«Thanks…» the woman reached out and grabbed the robe, wincing, but putting it on. «But I’ll stick to my choice of niche…»

She slowly slipped off the pod and forced herself to straighten up. Pushing away Kareem’s helping hand, she took a deep breath, before making a cautious step forward. Her legs felt weak, but she still took a few steps, before glancing at the medic, who stood frozen and silent, watching her.

«My crew…» Serena didn’t know how long she would be able to stand on her own. «I need to see my crew. Preferably now.»

Kareem opened his mouth, then closed it, took a moment to think and smiled:

«Well, then… If you’re not going to stay in the medical pod until your wounds heal completely, I would recommend to step out and get some fresh air while I will be preparing your transfer to a private room for the rest of your stay. While on the way to our gardens, I can contact your crew and invite them for a short visit.»

«Would you like some more water, Lady Serena?» the helper bot flew up to her and offered another drink.

Serena felt so parched that she couldn’t resist taking it.

«Please, don’t exert yourself more than necessary.» Kareem gestured to the exit. «And do tell me if you’ll need any help.»

«I’m fine.» Serena growled, heading towards the door.

She walked so slow and unlike her usual pace, that it seemed like an eternity had passed until she reached the exit and saw the corridor, which opened up onto a sun-lit terrace with benches and comfortable seats for the patients to spend some time watching the beauty of the trees and flowers that filled the gardens the hospital had on its inner grounds. A couple of patients sat in different spots of this garden, and Serena noted how they all noticed her, immediately beginning to whisper between their little groups.

Fighting through the nausea and weakness, she approached a set of closest seats and lowered onto one of them, cautious not to lean back and hurt herself.

«I will issue you a special mobile chair that will allow you sitting without discomfort.» Kareem said. «Your back would need to heal properly before you could sit in a usual seat.»

The woman caught her breath, feeling exhausted from what little amount of steps she took.

«I appreciate the thought, but I’ll have to decline that, Kareem…» she breathed out, suddenly grimacing at the bitter taste in her mouth.

Serena forced down a nauseating wave and looked at the picturesque gardens, trying not to think about anything else, but the colourful flowers and butterflies that soared around the plants.

«How long have I been here? And how long until my full recovery?» she finally asked, leaning with her arms over her knees and finding this pose more tolerable than trying to sit up straight.

«Uh…» the way Kareem fell silent made her look at the man. «Our first assumptions were around six weeks.»

«Six weeks?» the woman frowned.

«Yes, at first we estimated your recovery at six weeks. However, thanks to the supply of your miracle stims you’ve been recovering much faster than we thought.»

«How long have I been here?»

«Two weeks as of today.»

Serena almost gasped for air, feeling shock washing over her. For two weeks she was out and there was no telling what could have happened during this time.

«You must understand, Lady Serena, we had to reconstruct your spine and ribs, as well as aid in healing all the other extensive injuries you have sustained… External and internal.» Kareem tried to explain.

Serena slowly shook her head and grasped her hair, feeling a sudden dizziness washing over her. Closing her eyes, she tried hard not to allow this to make her sway, or even worse — fall from the seat.

She heard the man kneeling next to her:

«Lady Serena?»

«I’m fine. Just a little dizzy.» she replied, taking a deep breath.

«I warned you that you should have stayed in the pod.»

The woman opened her eyes and glanced at the medic:

«If you’d know me a little better, you’d know I never stay in the pod long enough.» she took a moment. «But I’d appreciate if you have any of my stims with you…»

«Yes, your crew members warned me as much.» Kareem tilted his head aside, giving her a shot, then glanced aside and smiled. «Speaking of…»

Serena tried to turn her head slowly, feeling her neck and back hurting, and saw Wolfin, Hunter and Lindon running to her, disregarding all etiquette of being in the Imperial Hospital. The woman thought for a moment if she would be able to stand up, but realised that, most probably, not for a while — her body felt too heavy and pained.

Hunter reached her first, falling to his knees in front of her and catching her face in his palms. For a couple of moments he was watching her face with a happy smile before connecting their lips in a long kiss.

«You miracle of a woman!» he said leaning back and letting out a slight chuckle.

Serena grasped his wrist, leaning with her cheek into his palm and closed her eyes, feeling her head spinning even harder.

«This miracle needs a bit of help getting to her room…» she exhaled. «It appears, Alpha level medic Kareem was right and I shouldn’t have gotten out of the medical pod in the first place…»

«I’ll be happy to show you to your rooms, Lady Serena.» Kareem bowed. «Allow me to call some helper bots to…»

«No need.» Serena gritted her teeth, and caught Hunter’s shoulder to push herself up.

The cyborg immediately aided her to her feet, and Lindon stepped up as well, grasping one of her arms to help her stay up and walking.

«I told you she’ll be a hard patient.» Wolfin smirked, meeting Kareem’s gaze.

The medic sighed heavily and nodded:

«Hard patient indeed…» he said. «This way. The room is not that far.»

Chapter 7. Cornered

She awoke with a sharp inhale, immediately gritting her teeth from the pain piercing her spine.

In frenzy she reached out to the bedside table, feeling for one of the syringes, her fingers slipping off the capsules and devices, dropping them to the floor.

Gasping for air, Serena tried to push herself up to see the medicine, but the pain was so overwhelming that she fell down on the bed again. A medical helper bot whirled up to her side and she felt it administering some painkillers that almost immediately relieved the pain.

«Would you like me to call your medic?» the bot asked, running a quick scan.

«No…» Serena pushed out of herself, slowly relaxing on the bed again and feeling the position being a little awkward for her.

She rarely slept on her stomach before, but now it was the only pose she could fall asleep in without disturbing the back that still gave her a hard time.

«Scans show you have awakened from what appears to be a nightmare. I would advise you to speak about this with Alpha level medic Kareem Dorn Thilidin. He might be able to help you with any psychological trauma…»

«Shut up.» Serena growled, pressing her face to the pillow.

The bot didn’t reply and lowered to the floor to collect and disinfect everything that Serena dropped when trying to give herself an injection.

The woman lay there, unmoving, for a bit, until she could finally slip away into her dreams again, grateful for the helper bots being there.

Two days passed since she awakened in the Imperial Hospital and got up, and with every passing day she felt more and more unnerved being stuck in the room.

It didn’t help that she still felt extremely weak and heavy every time she tried to walk. And when she did and went out into the gardens — her room had a direct access to a small private part, from which she could venture into the main area — she hated seeing other patients staring at her and whispering all the time.

All this — together with the overwhelming care her medic always showed towards her — made her feel like she was a cornered animal held in captivity.

When morning came and Serena woke up, she lay on the bed for a bit, before pushing herself up. It still caused her great pain, but she endured, hoping that Kareem would see that she was doing better and would be able to leave soon.

«Call Kareem to my room!» she ordered to the helper bot that offered her the usual morning water packet.

She snatched the packet and drank it, feeling angry for no reason.

«Would you like your breakfast delivered to your room?» the bot asked. «Or will you prefer it to be taken out into the garden?»

Serena grimaced, knowing very well that she wouldn’t be able to get out of having a meal, even though she felt nauseated every morning:

«I’ll eat in the room.»

The meal was served quickly — a filling portion of balanced proteins and healthy vegetables and fruits. Serena pecked at the food, not really feeling herself in the mood to eat — or, for that matter, even to speak to Kareem.

She wanted to get out.

Finally, the door to her room opened and the woman glanced at Kareem walking inside with his usual polite smile:

«You wished to see me, Lady Serena?» he tilted his head.

«I need to get out of here.» the woman said. «Today.»

«You are free to go out into the gardens…»

«No, Kareem. I need to get out of this hospital and these robes…»

«Unfortunately, this is impossible until you are fully healed.»

«You don’t understand! I feel cornered here, Kareem! I have nothing to do, no one to talk to, every single patient and visitor that sees me outside my room is always whispering with whomever they are near…»

«Ah, well, that is the result of you being a famous patient. After all, you’ve saved the Empress, risking your life.» Kareem smiled.

«I don’t care!» Serena forced herself to calm down. «I don’t care what they think or assume. I just want to get out of here.»

«I cannot allow this, Lady Serena. I am under direct orders from Empress Alathea to make sure you are healed properly…»

«Let me out of here, Kareem!» Serena jumped up and bared her teeth. «I feel like a cornered animal!»

«I’m afraid it is impossible until your wounds heal.» the Alpha level medic stood his ground.

The woman growled and punched one of the glass doors that led outside. The tough glass cracked, giving under her punch, but didn’t shatter.

«That was unnecessary, Lady Serena.» Kareem said calmly, even though was genuinely surprised that the glass even cracked — it was made to sustain excessive force, and his patient was still going through recovery.

The woman clenched her fists and gritted her teeth once more, growling:

«I’ll heal just fine back on my ship, Kareem! Do what you need, but I have to leave. The sooner, the better!»

The Alpha level medic took a deep breath, considering his options and cautiously stepped closer to her, watching her furious face:

«Lady Serena, you must understand the pressure on my shoulders, having had direct orders from the Empress to make sure you have recovered.» he said. «And while I understand your wish to return to somewhere you feel more comfortable, I am bound by my loyalty to the Empress.»

Serena felt her hands beginning to tremble:

«And what are you suggesting I do? I can’t remain here, like…» her voice cracked and she fell silent.

«Allow me to do my job to the best of my abilities.» Kareem noticed her body shivering. «And while the medications help your body heal, I do need to address one thing that’s bothering me, Lady Serena…»

«And what’s that?» the woman grimaced.

«With all due respect, I see you are experiencing symptoms of psychological trauma that needs to be addressed before you can be discharged from my care.» Kareem nodded to her trembling hands. «Rest assured, this will stay between us, as I am bound by my oath…»

Serena swallowed hard, glancing down at her hands, and realised that even if he wouldn’t have had noticed her shivering, he definitely saw her lashing out, which too was somewhat of a symptom of her mental state.

«You won’t let this slide, will you?» Serena asked, feeling her legs becoming weak.

She stepped to the chair and slowly sat down, admitting defeat.

«I wish you only the best, Lady Serena. After all, you are the hero of all Velutha and the Laithorian Empire.» the man sat down next to her, catching her gaze. «If you wish to leave the Hospital as soon as possible, I must be sure that you are strong and healthy. While your injuries have somewhat healed, you are still far from being in your best shape. To let you go, I would need to be sure your body recovered at least 90% of the injuries you’ve sustained.»

«How much do I have now?»

«I’d say… by the current scans you are almost 70% healed.» Kareem smiled. «Which, in itself, is a miracle.»

«Is that why I’m still feeling bursts of pain in my back at night?» Serena saw the smile fading from his face and felt she touched the topic she didn’t want to.

«The helper bot reported you waking up at night several times…» the medic tilted his head aside. «Would you be willing to tell me if you had any dreams that preceded each awakening?»

Serena felt a painful shudder running down her back and closed her eyes, taking a deep breath to push down the aching.

«I wouldn’t say that…» she exhaled, looking at Kareem again. «I don’t exactly… see dreams before waking up. I just…»

The medic frowned a little:

«Don’t worry about telling me something you think might hinder my utmost respect for you, Lady Serena. I am a professional and understand that every soldier has their traumatic experiences.»

«I don’t see what happened, Kareem. I feel it. I just hear the explosion behind me and then… feel the immense pain hitting my back.» Serena swallowed hard again, lowering her eyes.

«Might I ask…» the medic watched her closely, noting her demeanour. «Do you feel anything else, except pain?»

«Like what?»

«Fear? Desperation?»

«I didn’t fear death, if that’s what you’re asking.» Serena shook her head slowly, still feeling a little stiffness and aching in the neck. «My only fear in that moment was that I wouldn’t be fast enough to shield Empress Alathea… And when I experience that moment in my… nightmares, I don’t feel fear. I don’t feel anything, but the pain that hit me.»

«Hmm…» Kareem looked aside. «Interesting…»

«I know very well I’m not right in the head, Kareem. I’ve been through enough shit and I know it impacted me a lot.» Serena grimaced.

«No, that’s not what I thought about, Lady Serena.» the medic glanced at his patient. «My thought was if your nightmares could be a result of rather the physical aspect, and not mental…»

«How so?»

«Well, your nerves are still recovering, and they might be misfiring, while your body keeps remembering the pain caused by that explosion. This doesn’t mean this won’t pass once your body fully heals.»

«Is there any way we could know for sure if this is… physical or mental?»

«I cannot allow you to go through memory extraction to see if the dreams you are having are causing it, but…» he raised his palm, silencing Serena, when she was about to object. «I can set up a thorough neurological scan tonight to see what comes first — the pain or the nightmare…»

Serena didn’t answer, but felt that it was the best option — given the opportunity to make sure what was the real cause of her waking up so much every night.

«Additionally…» Kareem smiled gently. «I would advise you to start some physical therapy to help your body in recovering. Will that be something you would be open to? This will help you get back into shape quicker and will be an additional plus on the list of your progress.»

«If this will help me get out of here faster, fine!» Serena sighed, trying hard not to snap at the medic again.

«Good.» the man seemed pleased. «I’ll organize everything.»

Chapter 8. Worthy

Serena clenched her jaw, pushing with all her strength, but her body was way too frail to do anything she asked of it. Sweat poured down her face, making it even harder and more frustrating. Her back still burst with excruciating pain with each push-up she did, until, finally, she collapsed to the floor, crying.

Never before had she felt so weak and unable to be herself.

The woman curled up on the floor, incapable of calming down, and stayed there even when the door to her room opened and someone walked in.

«Leave me alone.» she pushed out of herself, managing her voice just enough not to break into tears even more than she already was.

Wolfin gestured to the helper bot that accompanied him to the room and it retreated without a word, leaving the mentor and his named daughter alone.

Serena stayed curled up on the floor, pushing down her tears as best she could, until she finally looked up at whoever didn’t listen to her plea. Seeing Wolfin standing by the closed door, she looked away, embarrassed for being as weak and vulnerable as she was now.

Wolfin sighed, stepped up and kneeled before Serena, grasping her shoulder. The woman raised her tear-filled eyes to the man and felt what little resolve she had left wavering.

«Serena, I have known you very little when you were a child, but I have come to know you better once you were grown up.» the Veluthian said very softly. «And I have something to say. In all my life I have never seen a Veluthian so strong.»

«I’m not.» Serena pushed out of herself.

«You don’t understand, Scorpi. So just listen.» Wolfin nodded slowly to her. «A strong person is never born. Strength is made. It is taken day after day, pain after pain. Strong people live through much more torment and desperation than others. And you’ve had plenty of both. Yet you rose again and again, to go on, continue on your chosen path, proving to yourself and others that you are capable of great things. You’ve put your life on the line so many times even I can’t count anymore. You’ve brought to light a deep treachery that has been happening within the Laithorian Empire. You’ve brought the criminals to justice, even when it cost you greatly. You are strong. Otherwise you would have perished or given up. You could have run off to be an eternal mercenary until your life ended, and yet… you didn’t. Whatever you might think of yourself, you are worthy! You are strong! And I am proud of you, Serena!»

The man smiled and saw her breaking into tears. Embracing her extremely gently, Wolfin sighed heavily, understanding how fragile she felt after waking up at the Hospital and being kept there under watchful eyes of the Alpha level medic Kareem.

«To leave this place I need fifty push-ups, Wolfin. And I can’t even do fifteen…» he heard her sniffle.

«So what? Don’t be too hard on yourself!» he grasped her shoulders and leaned back, offering her a charming smile. «Most Veluthians wouldn’t have recovered from such terrible injuries as fast as you have! Kareem did tell you they’ve estimated your recovery time at least six weeks, right?»

Serena nodded, wiping tears off her face and slowly collecting herself.

«So why are you crying, Scorpi? It’s not even been three weeks, and you’re already doing push-ups, when others would still be lying in medical pods!» Wolfin smirked, offering his named daughter a helping hand. «Even Kareem thinks you’re a miracle of a patient! He was unsure to offer you physical therapy so early, and yet here we are — you’re doing everything needed and more!»

Serena grimaced, shaking her head, but took his help and got up onto her feet:

«Therapy… soaking in the pool and swimming is no therapy.»

Wolfin tilted his head, twitching his brow:

«Really? So it didn’t help you start doing push-ups?»

The woman slouched, realising he was right.

«Lady Serena, Alpha level medic Kareem is at the door for a daily check-up.» the AI reported. «Would you like him to return later?»

Serena looked at Wolfin and sighed:

«No. Let him in.»

The door opened and the man walked in, greeting Wolfin and Serena, bowing.

«How is my favourite patient?» he asked, smiling at Serena.

Wolfin shook his head:

«I think she’s doing better. Though, I’m not sure about you approving her doing push-ups…»

«Oh?» Kareem twitched his brow. «Lady Serena, I did say you’d have to do fifty to be let go, but I also said that you shouldn’t be doing them for a few days at least…»

He scanned the woman and his brows raised up, seeing the results.

«Don’t tell me…» Serena grimaced. «I’ve made it worse…»

«No…» the medic lowered his scanner and smirked. «Might I ask how many push-ups you’ve managed to do today?»

«Fourteen.»

«And this was after the physical therapy session?»

«I caught her doing them when I came in.» Wolfin crossed his arms.

Kareem made a note on his information tablet and stepped to Serena:

«Would you mind me checking your back?»

«I can leave…» Wolfin gestured to the door.

The woman threw a glance to Wolfin, shaking her head, then turned her back to Kareem, lowering her robe. For the first time after she had been taken to the Hospital, Wolfin saw how her injuries were healing. Though she no longer wore a bandaging gel, her whole back was still covered in deep scars — those would fade and disappear with time after she fully recovers.

But right now he was shocked to see the damage she sustained.

Kareem studied the scars, then touched her spine, gently pushing onto the bones:

«Do you feel any pain here?»

Serena shook her head:

«Just pressure and a bit of… tingling, I guess.»

The medic ran his thumb across her back right under the shoulder-bone:

«Here?»

Serena felt her muscle twitching, and gritted her teeth:

«A bit.»

Kareem grabbed his information tablet again and made a few notes, then took a syringe off his belt and gave Serena a shot of some meds.

«Good. You’re healing even better since I pushed you to start therapy.» he said. «You can put the robes back on.»

Serena hesitated, and the men noticed her shoulders slouching.

«Wolfin?» her voice almost cracked.

«Yes, Captain?» her mentor replied, still studying her back.

«How bad are the scars?»

«They’ll disappear, Serena.»

She gritted her teeth, throwing the robes back onto her shoulders and glanced at the man, locking eyes with him:

«How bad?»

Wolfin exchanged glances with Kareem and cleared his throat:

«I’ve never seen any like that, Captain. They’re… extensive.» he hesitated for a moment and added. «I’m honestly surprised that you were able to do any push-ups at all with your muscles not yet fully regenerated.»

Serena swallowed hard, nodding to these words and didn’t say anything else.

Chapter 9. Free

Alpha level medic Kareem Dorn Thilidin was always proud to be doing such an important job as looking after patients in the Imperial Hospital. He wasn’t dependant on as much technical things as his peers, always finding a personal approach to each patient. Some needed more care, others — almost none.

Having been appointed to be the personal medic of the Veluthian hero — the Crimson Blade — he made sure he would take into consideration not only her stubborn nature, but also her motivation and skills. This, alongside with the miracle mixtures this fascinating woman had made, helped Lady Serena to start improving daily.

He knew how hard it was for her staying within the Hospital. But he never suspected that his aid in her recovery would be so minimal.

The woman preferred to do everything on her own — even when she had sessions of physical therapy, he would step aside, watching her from afar and not bothering her too much with his presence.

Kareem now understood why so many people admired the woman. She might not be very social, or even pleasant at times during a conversation, but the fact she persevered things others would find hard to — was incredible. He also knew that his opinion of her temper and state of mind might be hindered by her becoming uneasy with each passing day she had spent in the Hospital, while wishing to return to her crew and her ship.

Heading to her room for another check-up, he wondered what the meeting would bring today.

When the door slid open, Kareem was surprised to see Serena doing push-ups again. A helper bot hovered nearby, with a number lit up on its tiny screen — Kareem did input this to their program, so that he could monitor every time Serena was working out.

The Alpha level medic walked inside Serena’s room, watching her body strained and covered in sweat. But the woman kept going, although it was evident that she was at her limit. Still, she pushed on, baring her teeth.

49.

Kareem tilted his head, seeing Serena struggling.

«Just one more.» he said, understanding that she needed the little boost.

Her arms were shaking, but Serena lowered herself again, and slowly pushed up. Only then she collapsed and hit the floor with her fist:

«Damn it!»

Kareem kneeled next to her, smiling:

«No need to curse, Lady Serena. Your limit has been reached.» he said.

«And I’m nowhere near completing your challenge to be discharged!» Serena growled.

«Oh? You must have counted your push-ups wrong, because…» Kareem grabbed the helper bot and turned it for her to see the screen with the number 50 on it. «According to this helper bot that’s been monitoring you, you have done exactly fifty push-ups.»

The woman’s face lengthened in shock. Perhaps, she really did miscount the repetitive exercise somewhere along the way.

«I…» she struggled to find any words she could say, still trying to catch her breath.

«Now… although I find your physical form not yet fit enough… But I am a man of my word. You’ve done your part, now I shall do mine.» Kareem smiled. «Lady Serena Dal Thara-Lyss, you are being discharged from my care and this Hospital. I find you capable to be released and finish healing outside these walls.»

The medic put a few notes into his information tablet and raised his eyes to Serena, who still sat there in shock.

«Would you like me to call your crew to come get you? Or should I leave this grand news to be delivered by you directly?» Kareem tilted his head.

The way she looked at him almost made him chuckle, but he remained holding a smile. Finally, he shook his head and sent a message through his information tablet.

«I propose you take a shower before we get you some clothes to be released…» he said. «I have sent a message to your crewmembers to come visit, but said nothing about you being let go, so you can deliver them these news yourself, my lady.»

He reached out his hand, offering to help her stand up and the shocked woman accepted it. Once on her feet, she looked at the Alpha level medic:

«Am I really allowed to leave? Today?»

«Yes, my lady. Now go get a shower, while I’ll organise some clothes for you.» he stepped towards the door.

«Kareem.» Serena called out and the man turned around to see her bowing, although it still caused her pain. «I am grateful for your help in my recovery. I appreciate your efforts… and your patience with me greatly.»

«It was an honour, my lady, to have been part of your recovery process.» Kareem bowed in return.

As he left her standing there, in the middle of the room, she could finally grasp at the thought — she was being let go from the care of the Alpha level medic.

While she took a shower, the helper bots delivered to the room her clothes. Serena even slowed her steps, seeing her crimson Captain’s Attire laid out on the bed for her. She knew the Hospital must have manufactured it especially for her, since her own was burnt when she got caught in the explosion that sent her here.

Putting on her new attire felt strange, but comforting. She missed her belt and the blades, but still felt herself happy.

It was when she finished dressing up and stood there, smiling to the feeling that the door to the room slid open and four people froze, seeing her there. She turned and saw Kareem smiling at the sight, and her three men — Wolfin, Hunter and Lindon looking at her in shock.

«Ready to take me back to my ship, guys?» Serena smiled wide, seeing them lost for words.

Wolfin turned to the Alpha level medic:

«You’re discharging her so soon?»

Kareem sighed heavily, smiling, and shook his head:

«Who knew she would be so motivated to get out that she would fly through all the challenges I’ve given her. I’ve never seen such determination in a patient before. Nor such strength.»

Serena saw Wolfin smile at her.

Hunter walked in, slowly approaching:

«Serena…»

The woman jolted to him, embracing. When he pressed her to himself extremely gently, she didn’t even wince at the pain in her back.

«Really, guys, stop staring and let’s leave. I’m sure Kareem has better things to do than stand around waiting for you all to shake off the shock.» the woman chuckled, freeing herself from the embrace.

«Now, before you leave…» the medic stepped up. «I do have to urge you not to drop physical therapy for a while and please… keep me updated on the course of your full recovery?»

«I’ll send daily updates, deal?»

«That would be preferable, my lady, thank you.»

«Oh, and I… uh… I’ll sign off on the mixtures I make to be used in the Imperial medical field.»

Kareem bowed:

«I am most grateful, Lady Serena.»

When he straightened, he saw her stepping up to him and putting her palm on his shoulder:

«Thank you, Kareem. For everything you did for me.»

He smiled at her, nodding:

«Just… be careful and don’t get so mangled next time you jump to save anyone, Lady Serena?» his tone sounded more jokingly than before.

«I can’t promise you anything.» the woman chuckled again, patting his shoulder. «But I’ll try.»

The man sighed, seeing her leaving. However hard she was to deal with — he will miss her silent determination and the strength that none of his other patients ever exhibited before.

Lindon walked silently for the whole way until they finally stepped out into the courtyard. Serena smiled, taking a deep breath, and noticed people outside stopping or slowing their steps, whispering between themselves.

«Lady Serena, allow me to offer you and the others to stay at my estate?» Lindon noted how Serena slowly tensed up under everyone’s attention. «I do have pools that can be used for therapy…»

«Yes, well…» the woman cleared her throat, collecting herself, as if none of the whispers or attention got to her nerves. «I suppose I shouldn’t decline such a generous proposal from a… dear friend.»

Lindon felt a smile creeping onto his lips — her tone changed ever so slightly, but enough to catch the warmth she put into the last word.

Chapter 10. Humbled

Lindon felt happy seeing Serena there — at his estate, smiling and becoming more of herself than she was when she was kept in the Imperial Hospital. With each passing day he found it easier to see her swimming by herself in one of his pools — the woman kept her word to the Alpha level medic and kept doing therapy, which helped her to start training again. However frustrating and slow this was for her — the process would take time — she persevered, accepting everyone’s help in this matter.

Wolfin kept her company while she was swimming. Hunter was by her side when she was in the training hall. Lindon was there for her, supporting whenever he could and offering her company whenever she wanted. He helped both Wolfin and Hunter from time to time, and often watched her meditating in his gardens, joining her just enough to not allow her the thought that he was trying to cling to her too much.

Lindon understood perfectly, that even seeing her smiling and doing better day by day, he was still only a friend for the woman. He accepted it.

And though Hunter kissed her in the Hospital when she only awakened, Serena has treated the cyborg absolutely the same as Lindon.

This day Hunter and Lindon were helping her together in the training hall. And, unlike other times, she persuaded them both to spar with her.

«I don’t think it’s a good idea…» Lindon frowned at the thought. «Your back is healing better than anyone expected, but I’m not sure…»

«Then don’t spar.» Serena said with a frown. «And sit this one out.»

Hunter cleared his throat:

«I actually agree with him, it might not be a good idea, since your muscles are still regenerating…»

«I’ll ask you this…» Serena tilted her head. «Would you prefer me fighting in a sparring session with one of you… or would you have me leave the estate and pick a fight somewhere else?»

Lindon and Hunter exchanged glances, sighing.

«Lindon, we both know she’ll do it on her own, if we don’t…» Hunter shook his head.

«Fine.» Lindon wasn’t happy, but threw his jacket off, walking up. «Then stand aside, if she hits you, she’s going to get hurt. My body isn’t as hard.»

Hunter raised his hands, walking aside and leaving the two on the floor. Serena seemed agitated a little, but smiled, taunting Lindon a bit. The Veluthian felt nervous, seeing her body still stiffened and not yet at its best. He feared she would cause herself harm, but he would rather have her try to spar with him, than Hunter, who was enhanced with cyber prosthetics, or some Veluthian in the city that will not care for her being not at her best.

As soon as they began their fight, Lindon immediately noticed the immense difference from what he knew about Serena as a fighter. Her back still seemed stiff, her hits — not as coordinated, even her steps were slower and less confident. Yet she fought, reaching him from time to time — barely — and the man knew — she wasn’t doing well at the moment. He hoped she wouldn’t be offended.

When he felt her strength failing her, he jolted towards, catching her and in a swift move dropped her to the floor. One thing he forgot — her back…

Serena gritted her teeth from the pain hitting her body, then grunted, but jumped up, and headed out without a single word.

«Shit.» Lindon exhaled, realising his mistake.

Hunter sighed heavily, shaking his head:

«You didn’t have to drop her on her back…»

«I know! I miscalculated!» Lindon growled.

He wanted to walk out, but Hunter stopped him.

«I know how you can make it up to her.» he said.

Lindon gritted his teeth:

«What do you suggest?»

«Take her out.» Hunter shrugged. «She’s been stuck in your estate ever since she got discharged from the hospital, so… maybe take her somewhere?»

«You think she’d appreciate me, who just slammed her against the floor, taking her somewhere?»

«She needs a bit of a breather from all her training she’s been doing.» Hunter twitched his brow. «And you need to apologize to her for doing… that.»

The cyborg gestured to the floor.

Lindon exhaled, nodding:

«You’re right…»

«So… invite her somewhere. I don’t know… even a visit to that restaurant you both took us to way back would be a good way to show her you’re seeing how she’s uneasy in these walls.» Hunter smiled. «Just… uh… give her a little time to cool down, alright?»

Lindon agreed, knowing very well that he could have bruised more than just her recovering back, but her ego as well. So he took his time, allowing her to settle her mind and calm down after their sparring session, before approaching her.

Seeing him at the door to her rooms, Serena frowned:

«Came to tell me I’m not yet recovered?» she asked. «I know that without your comments.»

She sounded calm, but he could see her eyes filled with what seemed like resentment.

«No, my lady. I came to apologize.» Lindon bowed. «I… I’m sorry, in the moment I just forgot that you had your back recovering still.»

Something in her gaze shifted and she frowned just a little:

«Forgot?»

«Yes, I honestly forgot. Please accept my deepest apologies for that. And allow me to compensate you for this mishap.» Lindon tried to smile. «I’d like to take you out for a stroll out in the city today. Is it something you would be open to consider?»

Serena took a few very long moments to answer, watching Lindon:

«You… forgot.» she repeated.

«I did. I am sorry.»

She sighed and waved her hand:

«Fine. Apology accepted. But you owe me a couple of drinks and something delicious for dinner.»

Lindon’s face lit up from joy:

«I’d be most happy to provide, my lady!»

«Wait here, I’ll change and we can go.» Serena pushed him slightly away from the door and closed it.

He waited, feeling happy she didn’t turn him down, until she appeared again — not in her plain clothes she was using mostly within his estate, but her crimson Captain’s attire. Her blades hung behind her back, and Lindon knew — she could never leave the estate without them. People of Laithora and Velutha had to see the Crimson Blade wherever she went.

She knew it. And Lindon knew it.

He bowed to her, smiling, and she offered him a faint, warm smile in return.

Even considering the circumstances that made him propose a day out to her, he was still happy. Serena could have turned him down, being offended with him after their sparring session, but for some reason she decided to accept. So he made sure to make her smiling again.

And — not to mention — he was proud to see people shocked at seeing her outside, walking confidently, when everyone knew that only but a few days ago she was stuck in the Imperial Hospital, recovering from a dire injury that most people wouldn’t have had survived.

It would have been a perfect day, if not for one small thing.

They were already heading back to their hover bikes after what turned out to be a perfect and pleasant dinner, when Lindon frowned at the tall, exceptionally muscular man approaching them. Serena seemed to be too deep in thought to notice the stranger.

In a moment of judgement Lindon thought this was a man of strength — he looked as if he was training hard every day of his life. He was also quite handsome, albeit somewhat of a brutal kind of masculinity in his traits. Cleanly shaven, well taken care of, the man seemed like one of those Veluthians Lindon always preferred to keep an eye on, if they were anywhere near.

This time was no different.

«Lady Serena!» the man approached them and bowed low, greeting the woman and her man. «Such an honour to meet the Crimson Blade herself on this wonderful day!»

Serena looked at this man — her face showing not a single emotion, and Lindon felt her tensing up just a little. Others wouldn’t have noticed that, but he did.

«Good day to you, sir…» Serena twitched her brow slightly, still very deep in her own thoughts.

«Roman Dorn Relas, at your service, my lady.» the man bowed again, this time slightly.

«A pleasure to meet you, Roman.»

«The pleasure is all mine, Lady Thara-Lyss. Allow me to congratulate you on your fast recovery and express my deepest gratitude for saving our Empress.»

«Thank you.» the woman answered with a slight nod, not really understanding what he wanted from her.

«Please, Lady Thara-Lyss, be so kind and spend some time with me. I am sure we can have a great time.» the smile Roman showed looked extremely pleased.

Serena slowly shook her head, feeling her back twitching in a sudden spasm she hid from everyone, who was looking:

«Respectfully, I have to decline your invitation, Roman.»

The man glanced at Lindon with a sudden squint:

«Would it be because the lady has an oath to keep?» he asked her cautiously.

«No.» Serena frowned, feeling irritated for being distracted from her thoughts.

«Lady Thara-Lyss, then I insist you consider spending some time with me.» Roman bowed slightly and extended his hand in a gracious gesture.

«I am sorry, Roman Dorn Relas, but I decline your invitation. I appreciate it, but I am not looking to seek any company in the meantime.»

Roman clenched his jaw, straightening:

«Then, respectfully, I, Roman Dorn Relas, challenge you, Serena Dal Thara-Lyss, to a duel for the opportunity of having you accompany me for the next several nights.» the man said loudly.

Whoever was already gathered around them — stiffened, excited to see Serena fighting. Others slowly approached, interested in the happening duel.

Lindon wanted to step up and say something against the duel, remembering well that even though Serena was discharged from the hospital — she was still nowhere near capable of fighting anyone at her full capacity. But Serena gritted her teeth and threw her jacket off, rudely shoving it into Lindon’s hands.

«Have it your way, then.» Serena hissed, glancing at Lindon and sending him aside — to all the other passers-by who decided to watch.

Lindon had no other choice, but to let her fight.

He stood there, watching, and — unlike others — saw how she moved differently from what she used to when she was healthy. A little heavier step, a bit of stiffness in her back…

He feared seeing her fight, and yet here she was — fighting.

Roman seemed quite the challenge for her — massive, heavy and strong, this brute compensated his lack of dexterity with strength. And though for a time Serena managed to avoid his heavy blows — Lindon knew it couldn’t go on for too long.

She did land a couple of great hits to the man, but to him they seemed too light to cause any real damage. Serena was, in fact, in trouble, and Lindon saw it.

The woman dodged quite well, until one of Roman’s blows caught her, as her body denied her the full stride aside. She went tumbling on the ground, and when she stopped, she was obviously dazed and incapable of continuing the fight.

Lindon couldn’t stay silent any longer, seeing Roman approaching her to claim his win.

«You are aware that she’s still recovering from her injuries, right?» Lindon said, taking a step towards the two. «She’s been released from the hospital on account she is no longer in need of their services, but the regeneration process is not yet finished.»

Roman frowned, leaned over to Serena and tore her blouse, baring her back.

People gathered around gasped at the sight of her deep scars and it was evident she was nowhere near being able to fight fairly.

Her opponent grunted and admitted:

«I declare this duel null and void. We shall fight again, when she’s fit to take the challenge.» he leaned in closer to Serena’s ear and whispered. «I’ll see you when you are better my lady. Even while having such injuries you are quite a formidable opponent. I’ll be looking forward to see you fight when you’re at your best. Though, I am hoping you would reconsider spending some time with me. I am a very honourable man and would gladly share my nights and days with you.»

As Roman stepped away, Serena slowly rose, feeling ashamed and humbled. Grasping at what was left of her blouse, she cursed herself for accepting the challenge.

When Lindon tried to cover her with her jacket, she slapped his hands away. But then she looked down at her torn blouse, ripped the jacket from his hands and walked off without saying a word, covering herself.

By the time they got to Lindon’s estate, the man became worried what others will say once they find out what Serena did and how it turned out. Wolfin and Hunter met them both at the staircase, but Serena pushed past them and hurried up the stairs to her room, locking herself from whoever wanted to speak to her.

Lindon sighed heavily and met Hunter’s frowning gaze.

«What the fuck, Lindon? We let you take her out and she comes back bruised and bloodied?!» the cyborg growled.

«She accepted a challenge for a duel.» Lindon exhaled, shaking his head. «She wouldn’t listen to reason…»

Wolfin glanced up at the second floor and then back at the man:

«And?»

«What do you mean «and’? She lost the duel!» Lindon scowled. «She’s still not recovered enough to be accepting challenges and facing assholes who want to brag about fucking the Crimson Blade!»

Hunter’s face turned shocked and enraged:

«What?!»

«Oh, don’t you worry, once the man gathered she wasn’t yet recovered fully, he declared his win null and void and promised to face her again after she’ll be at her best, so that the duel can be held fair.»

Wolfin twitched his brow:

«Who was it? Did he name himself?»

«Roman Dorn Relas.» Lindon scoffed.

Something in the way Wolfin looked away showed that he knew that name from somewhere — or the family at the very least.

Hunter took a few moments to push down his irritation:

«I take it, Serena didn’t take well to having lost the duel?»

«No, Hunter. As you might have noticed — she’s pissed.» Lindon scoffed once again. «And so am I. Roman won’t be the first, or the last to seek her company, and it honestly pisses me off that after she’s become the Saviour of our Empress, she’s looked at as a prized woman everyone wants to drag into their bed now!»

He wanted to walk off, but Wolfin stopped him, catching his shoulder:

«She declined Roman’s invitation, hence the duel?»

«Yes, she declined, Wolfin. Did you think otherwise?»

«No, but I asked for you to listen to your own words!» Wolfin took a pause, looking into the man’s eyes. «She declined…»

«I’m pissed, because with all the shit that was going on, I am not sure if she’ll decline ALL the invitations, Wolfin.» Lindon admitted, gritting his teeth.

Serena’s mentor took a deep breath and grasped Hunter’s shoulder as well, looking at the two men:

«Look… whatever happened between you two and Serena, from what I’ve gathered, she’s not yet burning the bridges with the two of you.» Wolfin glanced at Lindon. «If she were, she would have at least given some thought about all the marriage proposals that keep coming in.»

Hunter frowned in surprise:

«What do you mean — keep coming in?»

«I mean, Hunter, there are still offers being made to her. Offers she keeps declining.» the Veluthian tilted his head. «I know that all three of you messed up the relationships you all had. It doesn’t mean you can’t repair them. For you, Hunter, this means that you still can be together with Serena, for whatever time you will be alive. Perhaps, you’ll outlive us all, who knows. For Lindon…»

Wolfin looked at the man and sighed.

«You think there’s still a chance for me?» Lindon lowered his gaze, feeling too guilty to have done what he had.

«I can’t say, Lindon, but I do know that if she were done with the two of you… she would have already found a beneficial marriage proposal and someone to warm her bed. Safe to say — her options are plenty. But she keeps denying them all. Why? I think you two know the answer.» he pat the men’s shoulders and walked off, leaving them deep in thought.

Chapter 11. Apologies

It has been a few days since the humbling duel, and the men barely saw Serena at all. She either tortured herself in the training hall, avoiding everyone, or silently spent hours on end with something to read. Whenever they saw her, she tended not to look anyone in their eyes and always seemed deep in thought. No one wanted to bother her too much, so they gave her time to recover — both from the humiliation and her wounds.

This day wasn’t very different from any other, and Serena sat at one of the halls, studying something on the information tablet in her hands.

One of the servants — or, rather, one of the people Lindon’s family and himself took in to have as their personal guards — stepped up to Serena, bowing:

«Lady Thara-Lyss, there is a visitor at the door, asking to see you.»

Serena raised her eyes from the tablet and tilted her head:

«Does this visitor have a name?»

«He said his name is Roman and you would remember him.»

The woman immediately straightened, jumping to her feet and shoving the tablet into the servant’s hands, heading to the door. She felt enraged that Roman Dorn Relas would be looking for her so early on, and even more for the fact he dared to come to Lindon’s estate without an invitation.

Approaching the door and stepping out into the sun-lit square before the estate, Serena saw the man turning to face her and his lips curling up in a mile. Bowing, the man said:

«Lady Thara-Lyss. I am honoured you decided to see me.»

«What do you want, Roman? Another duel?» Serena replied harshly.

«No, my lady. I came to apologise for my behaviour. Our duel, however unfair it was, riled me up and I forgot about manners.» the man pressed his palm to his chest. «I beg your forgiveness for tearing your blouse and unveiling the terrible scars on your back. I shouldn’t have done that.»

Serena crossed her arms and studied the deep-brown, almost black eyes of this man.

«Apology accepted.» she said a few moments later. «Anything else?»

«I would like to extend that apology in form of an invitation to dinner to discuss some business opportunities that can be beneficial to us both.»

«Roman…» Lindon’s voice sounded behind Serena.

The woman glanced over her shoulder to see him standing at the door.

«Lindon Dorn Gray-Linn…» Roman bowed, greeting the man.

Lindon slowly approached and stood by Serena’s side:

«And what business opportunities are those?»

«I have a family business that deals in shipments of medical supplies. Since Lady Serena’s expertise has supplied the Laithorian Empire with a number of medicinal mixtures safe to use within humans of non-Laithorian descent, I wish to discuss with her the possibility of offering those mixtures to the colonies that have opened trade routes with us, denying what’s left of the Terran Company their usual market.» Roman smiled.

Lindon wanted to say something, but Serena raised her hand, stopping him:

«Alright, Roman… I’ll meet with you for… dinner and business.» she said.

Roman’s smile grew wider:

«I am most happy to hear that, Lady Serena.»

«When and where?»

Roman glanced at Lindon, who frowned at this answer:

«If you are free to discuss this now, I’d love to host you at my place, where I’ll be able to show you every piece of information I have on the possible profits…» Roman gestured towards his hover-bike.

Serena glanced at Lindon, then took a deep breath and looked at Roman again:

«Very well… a dinner then…» she stepped forward, but felt Lindon stopping her, when he caught her wrist. «Lindon, its fine. The man apologised for the duel and what he had done. He wants to discuss business, I can hear him out at least.»

«Captain…» Lindon studied her face and found her being calm and collected, as he used to see her before.

«I assure you, I will not do anything to her. I give you my word. I will not touch her, unless she gives me permission to do so.» Roman bowed a bit lower.

Lindon slowly released Serena’s wrist and approached Roman, squinting at him, even though the man was taller:

«If anything happens to my Captain, I will hold you personally responsible.»

«Once we will be done with our discussion, I will accompany her back to your estate safe and sound, Lord Gray-Linn. I give you my word.»

Lindon nodded, accepting the promise, but still turned to Serena, who stood there, watching their exchange.

«Lady Serena, if the need arises, give me a call.» the man said.

Serena nodded and gave him a pat on his chest, walking past to her hover bike that was parked at the side of the square.

Roman bowed again, stepping back from Lindon:

«Have a nice evening, Lord Gray-Linn.»

«Lord Relas.» Lindon nodded in reply.

Serena flew off after Roman, who was showing her the way, and Lindon stood there, worried for the woman — not because he didn’t trust Roman, but because he feared what the meeting could lead to.

As for his Captain — she was simply allowing the unexpected acquaintance to show himself as man of his word. She didn’t think he would actually offer her anything else other than the business proposal he spoke about. Otherwise she would have a very short meeting.

When they approached Roman’s estate — a small, but comfortable building, where the Relas family resided — the man smiled at his guest, descending to the parking square. In a matter of minutes he invited her inside, and once they settled in his private part of the estate, Roman treated her to a fine bottle of wine.

Serena was glad to see him exhibiting good manners and a sense of restraint towards her, although he definitely kept glancing at the woman, as if thinking how her body could look under her clothes.

Roman raised his glass and smiled:

«I must confess I was surprised you’ve accepted my invitation to discuss business…» he said.

«You apologised, like an honourable man, Roman. I value that. I can push past whatever happened between us, if the opportunity and profit are worth it.»

«They are worth it, my lady. I am sure of it.» Roman leaned in and studied her face. «Allow me to ask one thing… when was the last time you relaxed? I apologise for such a blunt observation, but you seem… tense. Am I that intimidating?»

«Not one bit, Roman.» Serena met his gaze with a confident stare. «I’ve been recovering from my injuries so long that I’ve forgotten what it is to relax.»

«I’m sorry to hear that, but…» he took a moment to think. «Perhaps, a mineral bath would be able to soothe your body and allow you to be more at ease during our conversation? My estate is smaller than that of Lindon Dorn Gray-Linn, but I do have mineral baths that help in recovering from all kinds of injuries.»

Serena fell into thought, remembering how Lindon reacted at Roman appearing at his doorstep.

«Are those baths that good?» she asked, not to seem overly rude to be quiet for too long.

«I assure you, they’ve helped me many times.» Roman stood and offered her his hand. «I’d love to know if you feel better while we talk.»

The woman twitched her brow and took his hand, standing up:

«I hope you’re not trying to get on my good side to drag me into your bed, Roman.»

«I gave you my word, Lady Serena. We’ll just talk… unless you’ll wish something else.» he smiled charmingly. «And I will keep my promise about dinner. After we talk in the bath, I’ll please your palate with something worthy of the Crimson Blade.»

«Very well…» Serena allowed him to take charge, leading her away from the dining table and into a private little garden with a beautifully set up mineral bath.

The water bubbled from a little spring that flowed from a stone boulder, and fell into a dark round bath tub, carved from black marble. The tub was surrounded by stone tiles, which gradually ended in a tranquil little forest, created from all kinds of trees, bushes and flowers, planted with such a thought that altogether they made a perfect little safe haven.

«I see, you take your privacy seriously.» Serena couldn’t help poking at the man.

«It’s my little meditation corner. I suppose, it helps me let go of the bustling life outside these walls.» Roman replied, carrying over to the tub a couple of bottles of wine.

After setting the wine and his glass down by the tub, he turned to Serena, who stood there — only a step away — watching him with a strange, thoughtful expression on her face.

«I guess, it does have its charm, Roman…» Serena glanced at the bubbling bath that emanated a pleasant aroma of some salts and minerals, mixed with herbs.

«Lady Serena, allow me one thing today…» Roman said, stepping up to her.

The woman looked up at him, locking eyes with the man, and saw him smiling almost gently.

«And what is that thing?» she asked.

«I’d like to help you undress… And see the scars again.» he admitted. «Not to gloat, but to admire the back of someone, who didn’t think twice shielding our Empress from the explosion.»

Serena tilted her head, studying his handsome face, and slowly nodded. Roman seemed to perk up a little, happy to have been granted such a request on his end, and took her glass, setting it aside. He slowly undid her jacket, stepping around her to stand behind the woman. Pulling down the top layer of her clothing he was gentle, as if afraid his touch could cause her harm. When he did the same with her blouse, Serena heard him gasp very quietly — not in horror, but in admiration.

«My crew said they look horrible.» Serena said calmly.

«They are…» Roman ran the tips of his fingers against the scars. «Fascinating. I can only assume how painful it was getting them.»

Serena grimaced, trying to hold in a scowl:

«Only for a moment or two. My nerves were burnt during the explosion. I passed out quickly.»

«It’s fascinating… because I don’t know anyone, who would survive such an extensive damage to their bodies.» Roman caressed her back, feeling the woman shivering, until a twitch appeared in her muscles below the shoulder-bone.

«If you say so.»

«I can see why you couldn’t fight at full capacity…» Roman stepped around Serena and met her gaze once more. «Why have you accepted my challenge, knowing…»

«I fucked up, Roman.» Serena couldn’t hold in her irritation at herself. «Alright? All my life I was pushed to be stronger than others, and here I am, beaten and weak, trying to recover from these injuries that make me less of a woman than I am supposed to be.»

«They don’t make you less of a woman you are, my lady.» Roman took her hand in his, gently caressing her skin. «They make you greater than most women in all of Velutha and the Laithorian Empire.»

Serena glanced down and slowly freed her palm, stepping towards the basin and pulling down her pants to get into the water.

«Flattery won’t get you a better deal, Roman.» she growled under her breath, slowly entering the warm, pleasant water and sitting down onto the seat that ran around the whole tub.

Once the water touched her scars, she felt the twitching muscles slowly relaxing, and her tension quickly dissipating. Closing her eyes from the extremely pleasurable sensation, the woman heard Roman getting in and taking a seat as well. She then heard him pouring drinks into their glasses.

«That wasn’t flattery, Lady Serena.» Roman said, finally. «I was saying what I really think.»

Serena opened her eyes and looked at him. The man offered her one of the glasses, and as she took it, she couldn’t resist studying his body with an attentive gaze. He was exceptionally muscular — even more than Hunter, and his skin carried a well-thought through ornament of tattoos, which accentuated his every muscle.

«Enjoying the view?» Roman smirked, pleased.

Serena raised her eyes to his face and smirked in return:

«Weighing my options.» she teased the man.

«Are the options in my favour?» the man moved just a bit closer, leaning in with a smile.

«You’ll have to wait and see, Roman.» with a smile, Serena took a sip of the delicious wine he had served her. «So… let’s… discuss business.»

Chapter 12. Veluthian Ways

«Wait, what do you mean she’s not here?!» Hunter panicked a little, hearing Lindon reply Serena wasn’t in his estate.

«I mean, she’s been invited…» Lindon sighed, pausing.

«Invited where?» Wolfin frowned.

«Roman Dorn Relas came to see her and took her to his estate to discuss some business opportunity.»

Hunter took a moment to gather his thoughts:

«And you let her go? With him?!»

They suddenly heard two hover bikes descending from the skies, and rushed to the door. What they saw was Serena — relaxed, smiling and definitely fine after having been treated to dinner by the same man, who humiliated her only but a few days ago.

Roman stepped by her side — also smiling, and, when he saw Lindon and the others at the door, he bowed, greeting the three men:

«Good evening. As I promised — I am returning your Captain, safe and sound.» he said.

Serena glanced at him and bowed slightly:

«Thank you, Roman. I enjoyed our conversation and… dinner.»

Hunter swallowed hard, hearing the little pause.

«If you ever wish to repeat it, or use my mineral baths again — you are welcome to.» Roman seemed extremely pleased with himself. «Have a good night, Lady Serena. Gentlemen…»

Roman bowed once more and returned to his transport, quickly leaving.

Serena walked into the estate — her step filled with a spring she lacked after getting out of the hospital.

«Wait, Serena!» Wolfin caught up with her first, shaking off the stupor after seeing her with Roman. «Care to tell us what was that all about?»

«Just a business meeting that turned out to be a little more pleasant than I expected it to be.» Serena replied with a smile. «Why?»

«And, uh, what, exactly, were you discussing?»

Serena’s smile faded, when she realised Wolfin was looking at her with a hint of suspicion in his eyes. The woman looked at Lindon and Hunter, who seemed to be watching her with the same expression in their gazes.

«Oh, I think I know where this is going…» she said, becoming collected. «Well, if you must know the details, I was treated to a few good bottles of wine, a pleasant conversation while soaking in a mineral bath that soothed my scarred back, and we have discussed a very profitable cooperation in supplying medicine of my design to the human colonies that fell under Laithorian rule and those that turned their trading eyes away from the remains of the Terran Company. Satisfied?»

She twitched her brow at her men.

Hunter stepped to her first, watching her eyes with a very sad expression on his face:

«Serena, I…» he fell silent, when she tilted her head a bit.

«You… what?» she asked.

The cyborg took a very deep breath:

«I wanted to speak to you all this time, but never seemed to find the courage, or… find an appropriate moment, when you wouldn’t be either sulking or training…» the man said, his voice becoming a bit shaky and quiet. «I really want us to be more than friends… like before. I just… I can’t bare it without you…»

He took her hand, almost knowing she would pull back, but she didn’t.

«And you thought I went to Roman to sleep with him? Just like you thought I did with Killian on Ardine?» Serena asked, sounding calm.

«I’m sorry, Serena.» Lindon stepped up. «I know that we both messed things up with you. But I know Hunter was inconsolable after what happened to you on Garmfrig…»

«I know. That’s why he walked out on the interview.» their Captain seemed to know everything her crew did while she was in the Hospital, recovering.

«We all were, Scorpi.» Wolfin helped the men out. «But Hunter and Lindon were… they reminded me of you after we thought Hunter was killed.»

Serena took a moment of thought and nodded:

«Alright… but how does that explain the fact you two still didn’t notice I decline every proposal of marriage and sex? How come you seem to be worried I slept with Roman, when all I did was negotiate a very profitable income to my name?»

«Isn’t it obvious?» Lindon asked very quietly. «We still love you and we’re afraid to lose you.»

«I never doubted, Lindon.» Serena said. «That’s exactly why I am not looking for marriage or a new lover. Although, I am getting a lot more of those proposals now than ever. Which is a bother, because at the moment I’m not exactly fit to accept challenges to duels about these matters.»

She sighed heavily and shook her head.

«You don’t have to accept challenges, Serena…» Hunter said. «Perhaps, you can simply… do as Veluthians do?»

She glanced at him with a frown:

«Accept the proposals I do not want?»

«No, Serena. That’s not what he meant…» Lindon glanced at Hunter. «I think.»

«What I meant was…» the cyborg looked at Lindon, then at Wolfin. «What if she makes an oath? To be with either me, or Lindon…»

Serena lowered her gaze, falling into thought:

«What if I don’t want to give an oath to one of you?» she whispered, and the men felt their hearts sinking, but before they could even say anything, Serena shook her head and looked aside. «What if I would have preferred to have you both? An impossible ask, but…»

«Then why don’t you?» Hunter grasped at the thought. «Just like before…»

Serena glanced at her men, feeling sad and distant for some reason. Lindon touched her shoulder, feeling a bit more hopeful than a moment ago:

«When I waited for you to become my wife, and Hunter had you by his side…» he said.

The woman raised her hands to the men, cupping their cheeks, and gently caressed their faces:

«You would do that again?» she looked at Hunter and then Lindon. «Would you, Lindon? Actually want me as you wife? After all that’s happened?»

«Always.» Lindon exhaled, pressing against her palm. «I will always wait for you. No matter how long it takes.»

«And you?» Serena looked at Hunter once again. «You’re willing to wait?»

«I’ll accept any decision you make, Serena. If it means I’ll have to wait for you, or even watch you becoming happy with Lindon — I will step aside…» Hunter replied.

The woman leaned in closer, uniting her forehead with theirs, and feeling the men embracing her.

«I give you my oath, Hunter Winters, and you, Lindon Dorn Gray-Linn… I will be faithful to you. Both of you.» she said quietly. «I will not marry, or take another to my bed, if it’s not one of you two… Lindon, I promise to become your wife, if you will still wish it, when the time comes… Hunter… I promise to give you the very same chance to restore the relationship we had, but one that was broken after what I had done…»

«It was my doing, Serena, not yours.» Hunter grasped at her back a little tighter, making her grunt from a sudden pinch of pain.

Wolfin sighed, suddenly glad to have finally witnessed the three reconciling.

Serena took her time, before leaning back. She still seemed sad and a little distant, but both Hunter and Lindon knew — she gave her oath freely and will keep it, no matter the cost.

«Now, please excuse me…» she wanted to step away, but the men caught her hands, keeping them on their faces.

«Serena…» Lindon exhaled.

«Please… you’ve been spending so much time on your own.» Hunter felt her fingers twitch in a sudden trembling.

«We’d love to share dinner with you. Or a drink. Anything…» Lindon watched her face, trying to find any hint of her not wanting that at all.

Serena suddenly smiled — softly and nodded:

«I am not hungry, as I have been well-fed, but I won’t mind a drink among friends.» she said.

Her men smiled, happy to have her by their side.

Wolfin chuckled and cleared his throat, when everyone glanced at him.

«I, uh… was thinking if we could introduce Hunter to the Veluthian ways and have a conversation in one of Lindon’s pools?»

Lindon twitched his brow, glancing at Hunter:

«Well, he’s sure to have options, but how will he be feeling around all of us having a swim as Veluthians do?»

Serena met Hunter’s reluctant gaze:

«I could show you how Veluthians don’t mind seeing each other naked. You could understand that even though I shared Roman’s mineral bath with him, there wasn’t any sex involved…» she said. «Well, with you, I’m not sure if that would be the case, as you aren’t exactly well versed in our ways…»

The cyborg took a deep breath and smiled at her:

«I am willing to give it a try. I need to learn more about Veluthians to understand you better. After all…» his smile faded. «The lack of understanding on my part led to us essentially parting for a time.»

Serena looked at Lindon with a smile:

«You wouldn’t mind picking out a couple of bottles of something good to drink, would you?»

«For you? Never.» Lindon took her palm and kissed it with a smile. «All of you are always welcome here and I will be honoured to treat you to the very best food and drinks I can find.»

«Then how about some Sallen-fruit?» Hunter glanced at Lindon.

«Snacks are a wonderful idea!»

Serena chuckled, seeing them planning out the rest of the evening, remembering everything she loved to make the time spent better than it could have been.

As the two walked off to get supplies, Wolfin couldn’t help and stepped to his named daughter, embracing her with one arm around her shoulders:

«I’m glad you settled the matter. I was worried you three would never get to really talk again like you used to…» he sighed.

«That was never my intent, Wolfin. I was only…» Serena sighed heavily. «Waiting, thinking… I don’t know.»

«I understand, Scorpi. You were taking your time. I respect that. Things like these shouldn’t be taken lightly. Especially in circumstances you’ve found yourself in…»

«We all fucked up, Wolfin. And most of the guilt lies with me.»

«Not true, Scorpi.» he tightened his embrace. «But you’re all fuckers, that’s for sure.»

The man cackled and landed a kiss to her temple, seeing her smiling in return.

Chapter 13. Disgrace

Lindon jolted up, woken by the helper bot.

«Your guest, Serena, is experiencing a medical issue…» the bot reported.

The man jumped out of bed, pulling his pants on, and ran off towards Serena’s room. The bot followed him — silently and fast, ready to aid in any way.

«Call Hunter, NOW!» Lindon ran inside Serena’s room, seeing her curled up on the floor, grunting in pain.

Lindon hurried to the woman, immediately leaning in and seeing her grasping at her shoulders, teeth clenched. He cautiously touched her arm and felt a shudder going through her body in waves. Glancing at her back, he suddenly understood what could be the reason for this episode.

Hunter ran in, almost tripping over the helper bot, and in a few long strides landed near Lindon and Serena, panicked:

«What the…» he exhaled.

«Get the muscle relaxants!» Lindon pointed at the bedside table, where a neatly organised box stood with medicinal capsules at the ready and a syringe. «And some painkillers!»

The cyborg grabbed the syringe, loading it with the relaxant and handing it to Lindon, while searching for the painkillers. He suddenly realised that the indents for those were empty.

«Shit!» he growled. «I’ll be right back!»

The man ran off, leaving Lindon worried that Serena might have been discharged from the hospital too soon. Giving her the shot of relaxants, the Veluthian carefully laid his palm on her back, feeling the muscles twisting and turning slowly subside. He noticed how sweaty her t-shirt was, and sighed, not knowing how long she was experiencing such episodes that caused her pain.

As Hunter ran in again, carrying a couple of syringes with painkillers, Lindon grasped one and gave Serena a shot. The cyborg cautiously caressed the woman on her head, but she seemed to be too hurt to reply in any kind of way.

A few minutes they sat there, watching the woman slowly relaxing and seemingly coming back to her senses. Her breath was shallow and fast, but with each breath she took, she began to exhale a little more steadily. Finally, Hunter embraced her — gently pressing to his chest — and sighed with ease:

«You’re alright, Serena… You’re going to be fine.»

Lindon took a cautious look at Serena’s back, noting no more muscle cramps, and caressed the woman, running his hand across her shoulders:

«Serena?» he called out. «What do you say to a warm bath to ease the aching?»

The woman grasped at Hunters arm, hiding her face on his broad chest.

«I’m such a disgrace…» they heard her whisper very quietly.

The men exchanged glances, and Hunter nodded to Lindon’s proposal. The Veluthian stood, heading to the bathing corner of Serena’s apartments he gave to the woman, and prepared the basin, adding to the pleasantly hot water some salts and herbs that should help Serena with her ailment.

Hunter felt Serena grasping his arm a little tighter — his artificial skin read how weak she was still — and suddenly the woman straightened, sitting up. The cyborg noticed tears in her eyes and she hurriedly wiped them off, looking pale and distant.

«Thank you…» she whispered, her voice a little coarse.

Hunter smiled gently and stood, offering her his hand. She accepted his help and he noted her swaying a little.

As they walked to the bath, where Lindon still stood — deep in his thoughts — Hunter caught the Veluthian’s gaze and saw him clench his jaw, obviously worried for Serena. They helped her undress and get into the water. Hunter slipped in as well, keeping the woman upright and trying to catch her gaze, but she hid her eyes, preferring to look at the water and her hands.

«Lindon…» Hunter raised his eyes to the Veluthian. «I know I am not fit to do this, but, perhaps, you could massage her back to help her even more?»

Lindon sighed, understanding that he was right, and undressed, sitting down at the edge of the basin, behind Serena. He hesitated a little, but then leaned in closer and touched her shoulders, his fingers gently rubbing the muscles. Feeling the bumps of the terrible scars, he studied the woman’s back once more — even though the scars slowly healed, becoming less and less prominent, she still had them all over.

«A warrior’s scars are their pride, Serena…» Lindon said. «So why is it you seem so… ashamed?»

«I’m not ashamed of the scars, Lindon.» the woman replied, shaking her head. «It’s the nightmares, the pain and weakness that keeps me feeling shame.»

«Nightmares?» Lindon’s fingers flinched, but the man continued to massage her back.

Hunter noticed how Serena closed her eyes, gritting her teeth. He reached out and took her hand, gently rubbing his fingers against hers:

«Every warrior has their nightmares, Serena. What’s yours?»

«The explosion that ripped my back. The agonizing pain… the thoughts before I passed out…» Serena exhaled.

«And what thoughts were those?» Lindon tried hard to sound calm.

«I saved the Empress. I could die with honour…»

«So what are you ashamed of?» Hunter frowned.

«That I hadn’t had a single thought about anything else. My ship, my crew… you…» Serena gritted her teeth again. «Is this who I am? Just a… Veluthian… The Crimson Blade, who has no thoughts about her men? Just a weapon that the Empress wishes to see?»

Lindon leaned in over her shoulder and gently touched her chin, raising and turning her head slightly to look at him:

«You’re much more than that, Serena. We all know it. The fact that all you thought about in that moment was the Empress only shows to your character as a selfless and courageous woman. You say you hadn’t had a single thought about us. So what? We weren’t at risk in that moment. Yet if we were — you’d be just as selfless in trying to save each and every single one of your crew.»

He embraced her, planting a soft kiss to her forehead, but didn’t linger, straightening and continuing to massage her back.

«And you agree with him?» Serena glanced at Hunter, who seemed to have fallen deep into thought.

«I do.» the cyborg met her gaze and smiled. «You shouldn’t overthink the fact that all you could think about is saving the Empress. I am sure, if it were Lindon, or Wolfin…»

«You?»

«Yes, me too…» Hunter chuckled. «I’m sure you’d do the very same thing.»

«See?» Lindon smirked. «We agree on that.»

Hunter suddenly became serious and leaned in closer to Serena:

«Though, I must say one thing, Serena. If it was I, who was standing there, I’d probably survive the explosion. I’d rather shield you, not to see what I saw that day…»

The woman lowered her gaze to his chest:

«I never asked… your cybernetic enhancements…» she reached out and touched the man. «Did they… withstand the force field that deactivated the armour and my jetpack?»

«I didn’t fall prone, if that’s what you’re asking.»

«He was actually closest to you, while we turned our attention to the shooter.» Lindon froze for a moment.

«Yes, I heard Kareem say Hunter administered some stims…» Serena looked away again, then sighed. «I guess, Falana thought about you or any of her enhanced goons being within the radius of such a rocket…»

«Serena…» Lindon took a pause, glancing at Hunter and seeing the cyborg caressing the woman’s hand. «I know you said you’ll be meeting up with Roman again sometime in the morning…»

«Yes, why?»

«I thought, perhaps, since your sleep was cut short by… eh… whatever it is that actually happened… maybe you should postpone meeting the man?»

«No. I appreciate the offer, but I really need this distraction. His boring discussions about prices and product delivery help me keep my mind off the scars on my back.»

Lindon sighed feeling defeated, but said no more.

«Maybe, we could go with you then?» Hunter asked.

Serena took a few moments to reply:

«No. Thanks. I’ll be fine. He isn’t very talkative about business if anyone else is around… Even if it’s someone from his household.»

«Still, keep in mind that we’re both ready to be there for you.»

«I know.» Serena smiled.

Even though the bath did help her to soothe her aching back, the men still stayed by her side through the rest of the night. Watching her sleep, they sat across the room and quietly spoke about her — each finding a sense of calm in remembering details about the woman that could help them aid her in her recovery.

As morning came, and Serena woke up again — this time without a single hint of being bothered by either pain or nightmares — the men greeted her with smiles.

Two hours later the woman left, flying off on her Dragon hover bike towards the Relas estate to discuss further the whole business proposition Roman offered.

He met her with a charming smile and a joyful manner:

«Lady Serena, it is such a pleasure seeing you again!» he bowed.

She bowed in return, stepping into the estate and following the man to his lavish office, where she saw tall bookcases, filled to the brim with archaic tomes — restored or printed on demand for his collection.

«Books. How… quaint.» Serena smiled. «I can’t remember when I saw physical books last.»

«I grew a collection after my uncle passed and his small collection fell into my hands.» Roman seemed to be pleased at the comment. «I decided to extend it to honour his memory.»

The woman stepped up to one of the bookcases and studied the spines of books, noting tomes she read while she was still in the Academy.

«Must be nice to turn the pages…» she said with a smile.

Roman cleared his throat, approaching her and took a glance at his books, then picked one out and handed it to Serena:

«Here. Allow me to gift you this tome…» he said with a charming smile. «As a sign of my appreciation for you accepting my business proposal.»

Serena smiled, seeing the title of the tome, and nodded, taking it:

«A valuable gift, Roman. I do hope you won’t miss it…»

«What’s a book, but a way to learn new things? Even if you know what this one is about, it will definitely bring you a new experience, while turning the pages and feeling the weight in your hands…»

Serena put the gift into her little backpack she started wearing whenever she was out in the city. Her blades, clasped to her back, hid behind the backpack a bit, but were still easy to draw at any moment, reminding every person she encountered that she was the Crimson Blade everyone loved talking about.

«So… let’s talk business, Roman.» Serena said, raising her eyes to the man.

Roman hesitated for a moment and leaned in, touching her cheek softly:

«Every time I see you, I just wish you’d accept my proposal to sharing more than just business…»

«I declined that offer, Roman. And, if you are so set on continuing your pursuit, I do have to say that I won’t be accepting your challenge for a duel again.»

The man frowned:

«Why is that? We have a matter to settle…»

«I gave an oath, Roman. I can no longer seek affection outside that oath.»

The man tilted his head a bit and something in the way he squinted felt dangerous:

«You are the Crimson Blade, Serena. There’s no need for you to uphold traditions like that.»

Serena felt a shiver running down her spine, making her back twitch:

«I gave an oath. This topic is closed for discussion!» she said harshly.

Roman grabbed her shoulders, jolting forward, and the woman felt the back of her head slamming against the hard stone wall between two bookcases. The momentary daze this caused almost sent her falling to the darkness that washed over her eyes. In the next moment she felt Roman pressing his lips against hers — hard, almost painful, and she tried to push him away, but he held her arms in such a way it was impossible. As he leaned back a bit, he cackled:

«You will be mine!»

«I gave an oath!» Serena growled, growing angrier by the second.

«I don’t care!» he kissed her again.

Serena clenched her teeth on his lower lip and her knee flew up to his groin, impacting it hard. Roman twisted in half, and Serena felt a piece of flesh in her mouth. Spitting it to the floor, she hit the man in the face, throwing him down to her feet.

«I gave an oath!» she shouted, wincing at the immense pain at the back of her head.

In the next moment the door opened and a strict older woman with icy blue eyes and short black hair walked in. Serena immediately recognised her as the Matriarch of the Relas family.

«What have you done now, nephew?» the woman grimaced in disgust, with a sleek hand brushing hair off her eyes.

«Roman assaulted me.» Serena growled. «After I told him I gave an oath of loyalty to another man.»

The Relas Matriarch scoffed, stepping to her nephew and kicked him in the face:

«You’re a disgrace!» she spit on the man. «You haven’t learned to keep your impulses under control still? This ends now!»

She turned to Serena, noting her holding her head, and bowed:

«As a Matriarch of this family, I beg for your forgiveness, Lady Serena. Whatever business you did with him, I propose you discuss with me. He will be punished for his misdeeds, I give you my word!»

«Apologies accepted, Matriarch Relas.» Serena headed out.

«Allow me to compensate you for the trouble…» the older woman caught up, stepping side by side with the Crimson Blade, watching her wince in pain.

«We can talk business later. Right now I’m going back to my crew…» Serena activated her earpiece, feeling strength almost failing her. «Lindon! Pick me up immediately at my location!»

The Matriarch stopped at the entrance of the Relas estate, watching Serena walking out, and once the woman got to her hover bike, she leaned on it. Looking back into the mansion, the Relas Matriarch sighed and closed the door.

Serena climbed onto the Dragon, but felt her head spinning hard. Unable to keep herself up and feeling her body succumbing to weakness, the woman collapsed onto the front panel of her transport and soon lost consciousness.

MSS Lyssandra arrived quickly — the crew was out in the city, when Serena called them in. Landing in front of the estate and the cargo bay door opening, none of the three men there waited for them to be fully open. Lindon, Hunter and Wolfin jumped out even before the ship actually touched the ground.

The men ran up to Serena, noticing the small bloodied stain on her white silver hair, and Hunter immediately bared his teeth:

«I am going to kill him!» he growled, jolting away to the entrance of the estate.

Lindon and Wolfin examined Serena, and Lindon picked her up onto his arms to carry their Captain onto the ship. Her mentor looked at Hunter, banging in rage at the door.

«Roman!» the cyborg roared at the top of his lungs. «I challenge you to a duel for assaulting my Captain!»

In a few moments the doors opened and the men saw the Relas Matriarch. She stepped out, standing proud and tall — even though she was shorter than Hunter — and looked at the cyborg:

«As per our laws, I, Seliara Dal Relas, accept the challenge on behalf of my nephew. You shall meet him in hand-to-hand combat in three days.» she glanced at Lindon carrying Serena onto their ship and Wolfin getting onto the Dragon to get it into the cargo bay. «I suggest you take care of your Captain for the time being, as I would like to have her present when my no good nephew will be getting what he deserved.»

Hunter scowled:

«Oh, he’ll get what he deserves, I give you my word!»

The Relas Matriarch nodded:

«Keep your word, Officer Winters. I hear, you are just like Veluthians in keeping an oath.»

«I am.» Hunter growled. «So make sure Roman will be at his best when seeing me.»

«He’ll be fit to meet you. As for being at his best… Lady Serena tore his lip off, so don’t expect that to heal properly by the time you see him.»

Hunter smiled maliciously:

«I never doubted her ability to defend herself, even while recovering from injuries.»

«Roman is a fool for thinking a woman of such stature will forgive him his brute advances. Please, pass Lady Serena my sincerest apologies again. I do hope she will be open to negotiating business directly with me, and not my garbage of a nephew.»

Hunter nodded.

«Have a good day, sir!» the Relas Matriarch bowed and closed the doors.

Hunter hurried back to the ship, worried for Serena.

Chapter 14. Invitation

Serena still felt irritated by the fact Roman acted so unreasonable and dishonourable. The concussion he gifted her with in their short scuffle didn’t help her feel any better. And though she was recovering well under watchful eyes of all her crew — they all moved in to Lindon’s estate to be there for their Captain — she still couldn’t shake off the feeling she wasn’t healing as fast as she would have wanted.

Hunter, who convinced her to allow him to be by her side — though, he still slept on the couch, trying hard not to push hard on her to get back together — kept a keen eye on the woman each night, making sure that whenever she was experiencing her nightmares, he would be there to aid her in any way possible. Even if it meant he administered her stims and relaxants and held her in his arms until her body recovered from the spasms it was experiencing.

Serena was grateful for his help, understanding very well that he was not only doing it for her, but for others as well — even Wolfin agreed that whatever she was going through needed some form of support and help to get through it.

Perhaps it was the overall care of her crew, who surrounded her with their smiles and conversations, or the passing of time, but she did find her nightmares bothering her less with each night.

That morning she woke up — for the first time since she first awakened at the Hospital — unbothered by nightly painful episodes. Surprisingly rested, she slowly sat up, feeling strange.

«Good morning.» Hunter greeted her with a smile, seeing the woman sitting up.

He walked over with a cup of coffee and smiled, offering it to her.

Serena took a sip of coffee and froze, trying to remember:

«I didn’t wake up at night… did I?» she asked.

«No. You slept like a child last night. Which is good news, I think.» Hunter sat on the edge of the bed. «How are you feeling?»

Serena wiped her face, still trying to grasp at the concept of having had one good night of sleep, which she hadn’t had for a long time now.

«I don’t know…» she said honestly. «Ask me that after I finish my coffee. Thanks, by the way.»

She pulled her feet up and tilted her head, looking at Hunter.

«What?» he couldn’t help and smiled, seeing her eyes filling with a hint of a tease he used to see some time ago.

«This bed is big enough to fit in four people. And you keep sleeping on the couch… why?»

Hunter took a moment, weighing his options of a suitable answer:

«I guess… I just want to respect the boundaries we both set down.» he said, finally. «I don’t want to intrude on your personal space, and I’d rather sleep on the couch to make sure my cybernetic body won’t hurt your recovering back when I’ll be sleeping…»

Serena lowered her eyes, remembering how gentle he always was, whenever he slept next to her after being turned into a cyborg.

«That’s…» she whispered, reaching out and intertwining their fingers. «Sweet.»

Hunter smiled once again and leaned in, planting a soft kiss to her forehead.

«What do you say about breakfast?» he asked, catching her gaze. «Lindon said something about a… Kelxan omelette?»

He saw Serena’s eyes brighten:

«He did?»

«Not sure what this Kelxan omelette is all about, but he seemed to be thrilled about it.»

«You hadn’t tried it yet? You’ll love it!» Serena gulped down the rest of her coffee and jumped out of bed.

Hunter watched her dressing up and noted how much more confident her movements were. For him it meant her back really was recovering faster than the medics at the Imperial Hospital said it would. It warmed his heart seeing her looking better — feeling better — and he smiled, as the woman got ready for the day.

When they descended to the first floor and entered the dining hall, where the crew has already gathered, Kayla threw her fork onto the plate and ran up to Serena, embracing the woman.

«Ouch.» Serena exhaled calmly, patting the girl on her shoulder. «Someone’s growing stronger! Is it the food? Or has Wolfin trained you so much that you’re starting to feel like a Veluthian kid?»

«Serena!!!» Kayla pressed even harder, then leaned back with a wide and happy smile. «I am so happy Lindon invited us all here! I got to sleep in a bed, fit for a queen!»

Laneth and John cackled, remembering how hard it was for them to get the girl to sleep last night, when she was jumping up and down on the enormous bed. They were last to arrive, cautious not to let Kayla get too excited at seeing the Captain again, because she could have hurt her when embracing the woman tightly.

«Not a queen, little bug!» Serena smiled. «A Veluthian warrior!»

«Hey, Veluthian warrior! Warriors need food for the day!» Wolfin said, his tone sounding somewhere between an order and a joking manner of scolding. «So sit back down and finish your plate! Your Kelxan omelette is getting cold!»

«Woofy says I need to eat proper to become big and strong like you!» Kayla cackled, running back to her seat and returning to her food.

«I see everyone is enjoying the delicacy Lindon provided this morning?» Serena took an empty seat and Hunter sat next to her.

«What’s not to love here, Captain?» John said, shoving a big piece of omelette into his mouth. «Protein, vegetables, the herbs… this is fantastic!»

«Albeit, the colouring of these eggs are somewhat surprising…» Laneth smiled, poking the meal in front of her.

Serena chuckled.

To a human of Terran descent the Kelxan omelette would be of a strange colour — the eggs it was made from were produced by a rare bird on Kelxa and had deep purple insides. The birds were extremely hard to breed in captivity, but the local farmers adjusted their routine to have them running free on certain lands, building the creatures a comfortable nesting place to lay their eggs. Harvesting them was hard — the birds wouldn’t allow bots to approach, pecking the farming bots until they broke. But they did respect the people, who hand-picked the eggs from the nests, leaving just enough to sustain the bird population.

This rich in protein, purple omelette was filled with tiny Kenoki mushrooms that originated long ago from somewhere on Terra, mixed with some blue sour onions and greens. The perfect amount of herbs and some black garlic pepper made the omelette a very fragrant, rich in taste and a very healthy start of the day.

Everyone loved the treat Lindon provided, and the discussions were loud, joyful and carefree. Wolfin watched Serena and smiled, understanding that she was feeling a lot better than before.

As the laughter and conversations continued after they finished their meal, a servant stepped into the dining hall and approached Serena, leaning in with an information tablet in his hands:

«Lady Serena, you have a message. Marked important.» the man said, handing the tablet to the woman and retreating back to his duties.

Hunter noticed how Serena read the message, and her smile faded.

«What is it?» the cyborg tensed up immediately.

The woman raised her hand, frowning at the letter she was reading. The table slowly fell silent — everyone noticed the shift in their Captain’s demeanour.

«Well…» Serena exhaled, raising her eyes to her crew. «Fun and games over, I guess…»

«What happened?» Lindon managed to ask the question before Wolfin ever got the chance to.

«Uh… I sure don’t remember anyone telling me Hunter challenged Roman Dorn Relas to a duel?» Serena tilted her head, watching her crew attentively. «Care to share?»

«Oh…» Hunter slouched a bit, looking down at the table. «Uh…»

«You can’t blame the man.» Wolfin said, feeling a bit uncomfortable under Serena’s gaze. «When we came to get you, you were unconscious… Hunter… well, let’s just say he acted like a Veluthian would. A bit more impulsively, but nonetheless…»

«If he wouldn’t have done it, I would.» Lindon nodded. «But my first thought was to get you to the medical pod on the ship.»

Serena looked at Hunter, who sat there, silent and humbled.

«Hunter?» she asked. «Anything to say?»

«I knew Lindon would get you to the medical bay, and I just…» Hunter sighed heavily. «I let anger take hold of me. I ran to the doors and challenged Roman to a duel, yes.»

«Alright…» Serena smirked. «Seems like Velutha has influenced you a little more than I expected. Are you ready to face the man in hand-to-hand combat?»

«I am.» the cyborg nodded.

«And you’re ready to face the consequences, whatever those may be?»

«I am, yes.»

«Good. I’m betting you’ll kick his ass and avenge his pathetic assault that left him without a lower lip.»

«Uh…» Kayla stood up, unsure if she could speak up on the matter. «Captain?»

«Yes, Kayla?» Serena glanced at the girl, noting her shoulders straightening.

«Might I ask… are we all going? I’d like to see Hunter fight the man, who hurt you…»

The Captain glanced at her crew that sat unusually silent, and her last glance was aimed at John and Laneth, who took Kayla as their daughter.

«Let me see…» Serena leaned back onto her seat, thinking it over. «On one hand I would agree with Laneth that a fight like this is no place for a human child… On the other hand, you are no longer a Terran child… You’re growing more Veluthian by the day.»

«She certainly toughened up.» Wolfin agreed. «And I would actually prefer to have her there to see how Veluthian duels are held.»

«I mean…» Laneth exchanged glances with John.

«Captain, if I may…» John cleared his throat. «I do think Kayla is a bit too young to be witness to a duel. But I also understand that she is not being raised in the typical Terran manner. As Wolfin already said, she has become tougher than any child I’ve even known.»

«I want to come with you guys!» Kayla stated. «I want to support Hunter! I want to see him beat the asshole and make him pay for hurting our Captain!»

Serena chuckled:

«The child has spoken. And so has the Captain. You’re coming, Kayla.»

«Yay!» the girl clapped her hands, happy to be included.

«Well, get ready then. I’ll be sending a reply that we’re going to be coming in half an hour.» Serena stood up and headed off to her room.

Hunter saw Wolfin and Lindon nodding to him, and he left the table as well, catching up with Serena.

«I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about… this.» the cyborg said. «I…»

«It’s fine, Hunter. I’m not mad. You were preoccupied with me, worried for my well-being, so the fact that you forgot to tell me something like this is… understandable and forgivable.» Serena smiled to him. «Though, I am surprised you challenged Roman.»

«I gave an oath to protect you, Serena. I am following it through.» the cyborg said confidently.

«See?» the woman chuckled. «You too have become more Veluthian. I guess we have our ways to influence Terrans after all.»

Hunter smiled, feeling glad to hear those words. Serena stopped at the door to her room, glanced behind the cyborg, seeing John and Laneth taking Kayla to get ready, and smiled, leaning in to his ear. She whispered to him, and the man felt a wave of shock running through his body.

Leaning back, Serena winked and stepped inside to change into her crimson attire.

Hunter stood there, smiling and not knowing how to actually react to what he heard. He knew one thing — he will do his best to humiliate Roman Dorn Relas, so that the man will never forget the Terran cyborg that fought for the Crimson Blade.

Within half an hour, MSS Lyssandra landed on the square before the Relas estate, and the whole crew walked out, greeted by a number of representatives from the Relas family.

Matriarch Relas stood in front, dressed in a fine dark green suit that had small and simple silver pauldrons attached to her shoulders. Her nephew — Roman — stood a step behind her — his gaze aimed at the ground. At his back Serena saw about a dozen more people — all of different age, men and women, they stood there — witnesses to the upcoming challenge.

«I welcome Lady Serena Dal Thara-Lyss and her crew!» Seliara bowed, and the family members behind her did as well.

Serena bowed in return, the crew following her lead, and the two women approached each other, leaving their people standing.

«As a Matriarch to a Matriarch, I greet you, Lady Serena, and express my deepest apologies once again for what my nephew has done.» Seliara said.

«I am no matriarch, Lady Seliara. Just a Captain.» Serena replied with a polite smile.

The Relas Matriarch chuckled:

«What is a woman Captain to her crew, if not a Matriarch? You keep them fed and clothed and taken care of, you settle their quarrels and take responsibility for their actions, if the need arises.»

Serena smirked, finding logic in such a statement, then saw Roman throwing a careful glance her way, and collected herself:

«Is Roman ready to face my man in a legal and just duel?»

Seliara snapped her fingers, making Roman flinch and run over to her, bowing low:

«Lady Serena, allow me to apologise for my irrational behaviour…» the man said, without straightening.

The Captain scowled a bit and raised her hand, with a short gesture calling upon Hunter. The cyborg approached — slowly, collected and tense, not taking his eyes off Roman.

«Your apology, Roman, I decline.» Serena said, when Hunter stood next to her. «And I approve of this duel my Officer called upon.»

«He’s a Terran…» Roman exhaled, trying to reason.

«A Terran, who’s strong enough to make you pay for your despicable actions!» Serena raised her voice angrily. «Fight like a man, and stop squirming like a worm!»

She turned to Hunter and pulled him down to whisper something to his ear. The man listened silently, squinting at his opponent, and when his Captain let him go, he glanced at her and nodded, agreeing with whatever she had said to him.

«Let the duel begin.» Seliara said harshly, walking off to her family members.

As the two women returned to their respective places, Roman straightened. Hunter saw his lower lip being regenerated still — a disgusting mess of flesh that was now covered by an artificial temporary piece, made from some translucent material, unknown to the cyborg.

«My Captain was assaulted by you, you dishonourable piece of shit.» Hunter growled.

«I had my lust get the better of me.» Roman replied, taking off his jacket and throwing it aside.

Lowering his stance, he waited a few moments for his opponent to do the same, but Hunter stayed straight, watching the Veluthian with hatred in his blue eyes.

Even though Roman was taller and more massive, Hunter had his enhanced body and his skills to match the man — however good he was in hand-to-hand combat. Unlike Roman, though, Hunter didn’t feel pain, if the blows landed to his metal-covered body. Now, standing with his artificial skin covering his enhancements, he felt sure he had the upper hand.

All he needed — was to cause enough damage to the Veluthian. The rest will come easier.

Hunter smirked, jolting to Roman, and saw him shifting his weight to step aside. The cyborg dodged his fist and dove under, slamming his shoulder to the man’s chest and hearing a couple of ribs cracking under the heavy blow. Roman was thrown back, but didn’t have time to regroup — the furious cyborg advanced once again, catching him off-guard and landing a perfect punch to his face.

To Roman’s defence — he withstood this blow, and straightened again, raising his hands to continue the fight.

Seliara was watching closely — not the duel that was happening before her eyes, but Serena, who stood there, head held high, but her eyes almost indifferent. For a moment the Relas Matriarch felt a shudder running down her spine — the Crimson Blade wasn’t worried about her Officer, even though he was of Terran descent. Seliara threw a panicked glance at her nephew and saw him try a kick, which his opponent caught and, twisting the Veluthian’s leg, threw the man to the ground.

In a split second Roman was lying down, helplessly trying to cover his face, but being pummelled by Hunter, who growled with each punch he landed.

The Relas Matriarch swallowed hard, looking up at Serena and seeing her smirk maliciously.

She knew! She knew her Officer was stronger!

There was nothing Seliara could do. All she could — was watch her nephew being beaten to death by one of Serena Dal Thara-Lyss’ crewmembers.

Hunter saw Roman’s eyes roll back, and his body fall limp. The cyborg froze, baring his teeth in anger. He wanted more, but his opponent was no longer able to even try and show any form of resistance. The Terran looked aside and saw a couple of teeth Roman lost during the beating. With a bloodthirsty smirk, Hunter picked them up and stood, towering over his unconscious opponent. Raising his eyes to the Relas family, he caught himself on a pleasant thought — they were all pale, shocked to see him overpower Roman.

As Hunter walked back to his Captain, he grinned, happy to have beaten a Veluthian lord, who didn’t respect the woman a few days ago.

Serena smiled at him, receiving from his hand the trophies she requested before the beginning of the duel, and nodded to him.

«You fought well, Hunter. I told you that you’ll beat him easily.» she said.

When she turned to look at Roman, who still lay on the ground unconscious, she saw Seliara force through the shock and fear, collecting herself. The Relas Matriarch took a few steps forward and bowed to Hunter and Serena:

«The duel has been won, Lady Serena, Sir…» the woman nodded to Hunter. «What will you have of this man I am ashamed to call my own nephew?»

Hunter glanced at Serena and saw her nod.

«Banish him from Velutha, Matriarch!» the cyborg said. «Send him to Garmfrig, so we could always have an eye on him, in case he causes any trouble.»

«As you wish.» Seliara bowed once again. «Lady Serena, have you thought about my proposal to do business directly with me instead of this pathetic excuse of a Veluthian?»

She spit at Roman, who lay on the ground, bloodied and passed out.

Serena walked up closer to the woman, watching her closely, then smirked:

«Do you guarantee a better deal then? As compensation for what your nephew did?»

«I give you my word, Lady Serena!» Seliara bowed. «I’ve already reviewed the drafted agreement and found your compensation less than adequate. I’ve added thirty per cent revenue to the sum you’ve discussed previously with Roman.»

«Good.» Serena smiled and nodded, sounding cheery and pleased. «Then I do agree to do business with you, Lady Seliara. Have the agreement ready by tonight and send it to me for review and signing. Have a good day.»

Serena turned and walked off to return to her ship.

«I’ll notify you, when Roman will arrive on Garmfrig!» Seliara called out.

Serena stopped, turned and smiled:

«No need. My friends will let me know.» she glanced at Roman who, groaning, started to come back to his senses. «Make sure he arrives there within the week. Or I will drag him there myself. Though… I don’t guarantee he will arrive in once piece.»

Seliara nodded, feeling more and more unnerved by the way this young-looking heir of an old and powerful family handled herself. The Relas Matriarch felt another shudder going through her back and calmed her nerves. She will make sure never to anger Lady Serena. Or anyone else from her crew. If one Officer of Terran descent was able to do what he did — who knows what others were capable of.

Serena was extremely pleased, as she and her crew walked on board MSS Lyssandra and flew off. But the day hadn’t ended yet, and another message was waiting for the Captain:

«To the new Matriarch of the Thara-Lyss family.

I am a friend in dire need to see you. Meet me on Ix Nabrax as soon as you are able to.

AS»

Chapter 15. Growler

Serena saw SS Growler descending to park next to Lyssa and ran off to greet them.

She knew Cipher took the guys somewhere by the order of Empress Alathea. They were too eager to leave, having no news about Serena at all — plus, Dean still wanted to be as far away from the woman as possible.

And even though she understood well why Cipher and his crew left — taking Fisk on board, as he was feeling like he could be of use — she was happy to see them returning to Velutha.

Running out onto the square, she saw Cipher, Pher, Taliesin and Fisk walking out of the ship. Three more figures stood behind them in the cargo bay — one belonging to Dean, who watched Serena with a frown. Two others were women that she hadn’t met.

«Well, look at you!» Cipher cackled, hurrying to Serena. «Alive and kicking!»

In a matter of moments he was next to her, clasping his arms around in a bear hug of an embrace.

Serena grimaced, feeling pain from such a brutal gesture, and forced a smile to her face:

«I thought the guys already notified you?»

«Nope, we wanted to make it a surprise when they come back.» Hunter walked up, shaking Cipher’s hand.

He then did the same with Pher and Taliesin.

«How was your flight?» Wolfin approached, Lindon only a step behind the man.

«Longer than needed.» Pher smiled, feeling better knowing Serena was out of the Hospital.

«Hey, dickheads!» one of the women in the cargo bay screamed, collecting her blond hair into a ponytail. «Tell them we brought gifts!»

«And introduce us, for fuck sake!» the other woman chuckled. «We’re dying to meet this Captain of yours!»

Serena twitched her brow, studying the new addition to the team:

«And who might those be?» she asked.

«They used to be local militia fighting the Company forces back on…» Pher grunted. «I forgot, was it Dilson or the other one?»

«Dillison.» Taliesin smirked.

«Right. We took them in, cause we loved the way they fought.»

Serena chuckled, heading towards the ship:

«So, ladies… what are your names?»

«Lilith!» the blond smiled.

«Lola.» the other one winked.

«A pleasure to meet you both. Perhaps, we can share a drink and get to know each other better?» Serena smirked.

«We’d love that! You sound like a woman we’d be proud to call a friend!»

«They’re a bit hot-headed, buuut…» Fisk beamed a smile, walking past. «So are you, Captain! I’m so glad you’re back on your feet!»

Serena slapped his shoulder and looked at Dean, her smile fading. Lilith and Lola, knowing very little about what happened between the two, slowly retreated into the cargo bay to make themselves scarce and look like they’re getting ready to unload the few crates of booze they brought as a gift.

Dean scowled and approached Serena, his eyes dark and filled with disapproval.

«I know you don’t like what I did, Dean.» Serena said. «But I do hope you understand why…»

The man scoffed and walked by, heading to greet the others.

Serena slouched, realising he wasn’t at all wishing to talk to her, and saw the two women unloading the crates, using the anti-gravitational platforms.

«Uh…» Lilith approached, covered in the force field that shielded her from the heavy Veluthian atmosphere. «I don’t really know what happened between Dean and you, but I hope the booze we brought with us will brighten the mood a little?»

«I do have to ask… is there any way we could get rid of this field?» Lola glanced at Serena.

The Captain sighed, shaking her head:

«What happened is a long and harsh story. Booze is good. And about everything else… Lindon made his estate inside to Terran settings, so you’ll be fine without the shields being used. I have a lot of Terran descendants in my crew, we accommodate them above us.» Serena headed back to Lindon and the others, who were already engaged in a conversation.

Lola and Lilith exchanged glances, shrugged and followed her silently, dragging the stacked anti-gravitational platforms behind them.

At first discussions and conversations flowed slowly — mainly connected to the war and what the Growler crew was up to for the past few weeks. But as the booze kept filling glasses, the crewmembers began relaxing more and more.

Even Dean seemed to become a little less strained and tense. He kept glancing to Serena with a dark gaze every now and again, but with the passing of time he too joined in to the conversations, using a mixture of Gorzan and his device that Laneth provided him with before. The mechanic, happy to see the Ilarian joining in, started to think about ways to work on the device more — or, at the very least — how to make the device have a wider spectrum of words and phrases he could use for communication. Eventually she even caught Hunter aside and asked him about a possibility to work together again on making the translation device more applicable.

The cyborg, glad to see Dean interacting at all, agreed to help whenever he could.

Lola and Lilith, extremely intrigued by Serena, listened to her in awe, hearing the very same stories Cipher and Pher told them about. The only one the Captain of MSS Lyssandra left out — was the reason for Dean hating the woman.

«Captain…» finally, Lola gathered the courage to ask directly. «I can’t help it, but I am going to ask… What happened between you and Dean?»

«Yeah, was he your lover or something?» Lilith leaned in, drinking her whisky.

«No, nothing like that.» Serena shook her head. «Let me ask you this… Have you heard what happened to Terra?»

«I mean, we heard it was destroyed after the Company denied their crimes against the Laithorian Empire and the Terran colonies…» Lola frowned a bit.

«Yeah, well…» Serena cleared her throat. «We were there.»

«On Terra?» Lilith asked, shocked.

«Not on Terra. My ship, as well as the Growler… we were there, in orbit. Empress Alathea gave me the order and I went through with it. I was the one to pull the trigger that destroyed Terra.» the Captain glanced at Dean. «And while my order was justified… Dean didn’t think so.»

«Oh.» the two women exhaled, shocked to hear this.

«As did Cipher. And Pher. And Tal…» Serena waved towards the men, who joked around and chuckled at the fun conversation they were having.

«Oh…» Lola shot a glance to Pher. «So that’s when they left…»

«Yes. Dean left my ship and my employ and followed Cipher instead, considering me a dishonourable bitch who killed millions of innocent people that day. I don’t blame him. I mean… Literally, I am the bitch who killed millions.»

«But…» Lilith frowned, gathering her thought. «Terra has been long cut off from its colonies mostly. We never got any help, but were always demanded to pay taxes to Terran representatives. Doesn’t that make what you did a bit… better?»

«Look, you can say what you want about the Company being vile and doing despicable things… It doesn’t negate the fact that there were loads of people living on Terra, who were just as abused as you were on the Terran colonies.» Serena shook her head, unable to have even a sip of her drink. «I did try to share information on the Company crimes, but it changed very little, and what outbursts and riots we saw on the planet… they were crushed by Company Militia within hours.»

«But it’s not your fault Terra started the war.» Lola said, feeling for the woman sitting next to her. «They’ve been plotting for years. Even our little colony saw how the company ships transferred stuff to some long abandoned places.»

«Yeah, we used to live in this warehouse far off into the forests when we were kids…» Lilith smirked. «We wanted to use that as a hideout, when the Company forces arrived to forcefully gather recruits for their army, but it turned out they filled it already with machines and men…»

«Fortunately, when Growler arrived by order of the Laithorian Empress, we managed to help Cipher and his crew get inside.»

«Is this how you’ve met?» Serena tilted her head.

«Yeah, when we guided them through a long forgotten tunnel that the Company thought was blocked off, we helped them set up some charges to destroy the machinery. And when the fight broke out, we helped. Since we had nowhere to go after our home was destroyed, he offered us a place on his ship.»

«I still can’t wrap my head around the fact that this single meeting led to us being part of history being made.» Lola shook her head. «Even more! A Laithorian General said we have Laithorian citizenship now!»

Serena chuckled, finally taking a sip.

«You find it funny?» Lilith scratched her ear, puzzled at such a reaction.

«No, I laughed, because…» Serena glanced at Cipher. «A meeting with Cipher, Pher and Hunter changed my life too.»

«He never really told us what happened when you met…»

«That story is long and, trust me, not as exciting as what we had next.»

«But what if we want a long story?» Lola chuckled. «We love long stories!»

Serena glanced at Cipher again and caught him twitching his brow at her.

«How about we tell that story some other time?» she asked, turning her gaze back to the women.

«Aw!» Lola pouted, and Pher walked up to her, leaning in with a chuckle.

«Are you bothering our Captain, ladies?» he asked, smiling.

«Not at all.» Serena beamed a smile to the man. «They were just interested to know how we’ve met. I’m surprised you hadn’t told them yet.»

«I mean…» Pher felt Lola tugging on his arm, pulling him closer.

«Please…» the woman begged.

«My, oh, my…» Serena took a sip. «Pher, you space devil! Are you at it again?»

Lilith and Lola laughed, seeing the man blush and reply:

«Uh… it’s not what you think, Captain. I, uh…»

Serena leaned in closer to Lola, catching her gaze:

«Are you two a thing?» a teasing smile appeared on her lips.

Lola replied with a cheeky smile.

«Aw, you’ve made them both blush!» Lilith chuckled. «How adorable!»

Serena shook her head:

«Tsk, tsk, Pher. If I hear anything about…» she fell silent, twitching her brow.

The man swallowed hard and nodded:

«You won’t Captain. I promise you.»

The three women burst out laughing at his embarrassed look, forcing him to retreat back to his friends.

By the end of the evening, when everyone dissipated each to their own provided rooms, Serena felt finally at home. And the night’s rest, spent with Hunter, gave her hope for the upcoming tasks that they were about to take.

Chapter 16. Ix Nabrax

«You realise this could be a trap, right?» John stood next to the others, tense and wary.

«Yes, John, I do. As I do not know anyone with the initials AS.» Serena watched the planet floating in space before their ship.

Ix Nabrax was a beautiful place, even though unsettled — none of the Terran Company members or Laithorian scouts ever labelled it as fit for life. Even though its atmosphere was breathable — at least, for Veluthians — the local wildlife was way too problematic. The ecosystem was filled to the brim with all kinds of creatures and plants — most of them either extremely dangerous, or poisonous.

So now this colourful — blue, red, emerald and purple — sphere was left to its own accord, unclaimed and untainted by anyone’s presence, until recently. There was one single signal that came from the planet.

Serena couldn’t even fathom how one would survive long enough on Ix Nabrax — even if the so-called «friend’ was of Veluthian descent.

«Captain…» Wolfin’s frown grew deeper. «Allow me to scout around before you decide to go looking for that signal we found?»

«You want to go alone? There?» Serena twitched her brow.

«I’ve been to places similar to this. I know how to be cautious and survive amongst things that populate this world.» her mentor shrugged.

«I’m not willing to risk your life on your hunch, Wolfin.»

«It’s not a hunch, Scorpi. I’ll be careful. I promise. And I’ll be on comms all the time, in case anything happens — you’ll be able to come and get me.»

«You realise the passages you’ll have to take, according to our scans, are too narrow to take a Dragon?»

«I do. I’ll go on foot.»

«Laneth?» Serena glanced at her mechanic, who stood deep in thought next to Kayla, who was engaged with the scanners, learning about all the wildlife along the path they mapped towards the signal that kept pinging from deep within some semi-cave system, or a very strange canyon of sorts.

«Dalilah?» Laneth asked, distracted. «Yes, she’s ready. Though, not as big as I’d want her to be, but big enough to help in a scuffle. Plus, her armour will help, she’s programmed to protect our crew.»

«She’s perfect.» Wolfin smiled. «And small enough I can carry her around my torso if I need.»

«Yes, yes…» Laneth rubbed her chin, too deep in thought. «That was exactly my thought.»

«What are you thinking?» Serena asked, watching the mechanic attentively.

«The INVI-drones we sent found lots of side-passages. Some of those weren’t big enough for the drones to scout. Dalilah can scout them out as Wolfin will be coming upon them. Just to be safe. I’m worried that there are some… caves? halls? …without any signs of life we can register, except plants. Nature doesn’t do things like these. Something is there, we just can’t find what.»

«I’ll take a mask and will be on high alert…» Wolfin proposed.

«And what if it’s not a gas or anything like that? What if we just can’t find signs of life, because our scanners might not be registering them?» Laneth glanced at Wolfin. «You said yourself, this planet hasn’t been exactly researched or even explored enough to know what kind of things might be lurking there.»

Lindon, who stood silently all this time, glanced at their Captain, seeing her frowning:

«You know what else is bothering me?» he asked.

Serena met his gaze, still deep in her thoughts:

«The signal itself?» she guessed.

The Veluthian nodded:

«It is of Veluthian origin. Though, according to our logs, signals like these were used a long time ago.»

«Perhaps, the ship it was sent from was salvaged from one of ours?» Serena shrugged. «We did… use to have a wide array of scouting ships. Centuries ago, though… Maybe this one is an old Veluthian vessel that was lost or crash landed here…»

«While I do find these assumptions to be quite plausible, my lady…» Lindon cautiously said. «I am more interested in the fact that the identification codes within the signal belong to a ship that was said to have been destroyed with hundreds of witnesses to see it happening.»

«Hmm… I missed that detail.» Serena looked down, thinking everything over.

«I have double checked, Captain. Lindon is correct, the codes do belong to a Veluthian vessel named Terrefly, which was marked destroyed in a battle with a pirate fleet over six hundred years ago.» Lyssa reported. «Although, part of the files concerning the names of pilots that were in that battle are corrupted, so I cannot say which Veluthian warrior piloted this particular ship.»

«Whoever it was, they fought alongside Artemis Serdana herself, when she was struck down in the very same battle.» Serena shrugged. «But I do agree that is… surprising to find the ship that was deemed destroyed… here. Why here? Why Ix Nabrax? Who found it? And how?»

«Captain? If Veluthian warriors are courageous and just…» Kayla suddenly looked at Serena. «How come one of them ran from the battle and hid here?»

«Good question.» the woman fell silent for a bit.

«Maybe they thought that if others found out they were alive, they’d be considered a coward?» John assumed, somewhat understanding the logic behind Veluthian train of thoughts.

«Perhaps.» Serena agreed. «That can be a possibility. But this begs another question… did that Veluthian die here? Or were they rescued?»

«I think we’d hear in the Academy if someone survived on Ix Nabrax long enough to be rescued.» Lindon grunted, frustrated.

«I suppose…»

«We can discuss all week, but never get the answers we seek, sitting here and watching the planet.» Wolfin said. «Captain, allow me to be your eyes on the ground and scout out the possible hints to who sent that message to you.»

«I’m actually starting to doubt this message was for me, Wolfin.» Serena stood from her seat and approached the window, studying the planet’s surface. «But I do agree that we need answers.»

She turned and looked at her crew, watching her patiently. Hunter seemed too tense and wary, but he was silent, as was Fisk, who stood there, in the corner, biting his lower lip nervously.

«Alright.» Serena sighed. «Listen up. Here’s what we’re going to do… We let Wolfin disembark first, so that he could take a look around and scout the surroundings.»

«I’ll keep you updated as I go.» Wolfin nodded.

«After we get confirmation that it is relatively safe to follow, I’ll go with Lindon to catch up with Wolfin up ahead…»

Hunter flinched and stepped up:

«Serena…»

«You, Hunter, will be left in charge of the ship to make sure our Terran crew members won’t get in trouble or try and disembark Lyssa in search of adventures. The atmosphere on Ix Nabrax is breathable for Veluthians. Not to someone of Terran descent.» the Captain explained calmly. «If we run into any trouble, we’ll keep you all updated and will try and return to the ship as soon as possible.»

The cyborg straightened and nodded:

«Yes, Captain.»

«Captain?» Kayla spoke up again. «Can I have your attention for a minute?»

Serena stepped up to the girl and leaned in to the screens the girl was working at. The child poked a strange collection of metal deposits among a completely hollow cavern.

«Alright…» Serena frowned.

«This metal deposit is located exactly where the signal is coming from. It might not look like a space ship, but I am pretty sure it is, because there can be no other explanation to the signal coming from inside of this deposit.» Kayla said. «Right?»

«Yes, you are correct, Kayla…» the Captain enlarged the collection of various metals, noting the strange angular protrusions in some of them. «Though, I am interested in how this… ship could have gotten into a cavern without an opening in the ceiling…»

«Maybe it caved in afterwards?»

Serena straightened and looked at the girl, noting her words to be quite possible:

«You know, you are smart, right?» the woman smiled. «I’m glad you’re on my crew, little bug. Keep up the great work.»

Kayla beamed with a wide smile, thrilled to be appreciated by the Captain.

«Then let’s get to it!» Serena glanced at Wolfin and nodded. «Get ready to go scouting.»

The Veluthian offered a smile to her and walked off.

«I’ll take the ship down to a suitable location…» Lindon sighed, not too sure about the upcoming mission.

«John, Fisk?» Serena glanced at the two men. «Man the targeting systems just in case and watch out for any unwanted company. If we run into a trap, you can help us get out and cover us from the skies…»

«Yes, Captain.» John nodded to her.

The woman glanced at Fisk, who still stood silently, too deep in his thoughts and he suddenly perked up, straightening:

«Yes, Captain!» he said. «You can count on us, Captain!»

Serena nodded and sat back down onto her seat, engaging with her working station to look over the scanning results once more, while Wolfin will be scouting the surroundings.

They descended to the surface — cloaked and hidden from anyone’s eyes and systems — and followed the ragged canyons to the point, where they found the last available opening to get into the labyrinth of those cracks and tunnels, deep within which lay the strange signal, calling upon Serena.

Wolfin kept silent for the first few minutes of his movement, until he began to report:

«Strangely enough, I don’t see any imminent dangers. The wildlife scatters whenever I approach, and the plants are easily avoidable…» he fell silent for a moment, then took a deep breath. «The air is thick. Too thick for anyone but a Veluthian. I don’t sense any distinct scents, though…»

«Wolfin, I thought we talked about this. You should have asked before taking your helmet off…» Serena growled.

«I’m sorry, Captain.» the man replied.

«Alright, so what does it smell like then?»

«Dirt, stone, wood…» Wolfin replied. «I don’t even sense any animals… though they are around me.»

«No fur?»

«No, the animals I saw are mostly covered in scaly skin. I didn’t see any furry ones yet. Though, I am surprised that even the amphibious looking creatures don’t smell like they should in theory. As if they took upon themselves the smells of their surroundings.»

«Interesting…»

«Dalilah is reading a number of creatures up ahead.» Kayla reported.

«Yes, they scattered when they saw us…» Wolfin said. «I see the passage way up ahead.»

The next fifteen minutes the Veluthian kept reporting nothing dangerous or troubling within the canyons passages. Serena and Lindon exchanged glances and nodded, getting up and walking off to head out after Wolfin.

«Be careful, Serena.» Hunter said to the woman when she walked past. «Keep in mind your back isn’t healed fully yet.»

«I know.» Serena smiled to him, comforting his worries.

«I’ll keep an eye on her, don’t worry.» Lindon called out, already ahead of his Captain.

The cyborg reluctantly let the woman go and stepped to the window, glancing out to the surface of a planet everyone called uninhabitable for some reason. Something scratched at the back of his mind, but he couldn’t quite grasp the thought.

Chapter 17. Recon

«Report!» Hunter appeared on the screen as soon the line opened.

Cipher grunted, feeling bored after continuously scanning the whole planet for the last few hours they’ve been here.

«Nothing to report, except a couple of crash sites and dead bodies that have been stuck on the surface for at least fifty years.» the Captain of SS Growler said. «You?»