Serfin

He has never spared a thought about the size of the Cult of the Pale God but seeing the encampment now with his own eyes is truly impressive. Tents upon tents upon tents mixed in with various machinery usually only found within larger Menkar settlements. In the distance Serfin can even see a huge amount of pens holding not only Nailwalkers but also Bullpigs and Hornbillchickens. Everything’s organised in neat rows with paths like roads in between them. He can’t believe that something sprawling like this could not only remain undetected by the Fleet but also move to another place.

Geniva and Weldenwall stop before they enter the ocean of tents and order some of the other riders to return their mounts to the pens. Just a few remain, mostly those with weapons suited for close corners, and dismount, giving the rains over to those heading into the encampment. Geniva and Weldenwall dismount as well and give further hushed orders to some of those staying behind. Again a handful move away with purpose.

After everything seems sorted out, Geniva approaches them and unlocks the shackles.

„What’ll happen to us now?“, asks Topasa defensively as her bounds are removed. „You’re not going to lock us up?“

„We can’t lock you up, since we don’t have a prison,“ answers Weldenwall with a board smile.

„Then where are you taking us?“, asks Laapis dismissively.

„Tallio’s most likely at the docks,“ Geniva replies. „And since it seems Tuonis picked someone from the Starblazer up, whoever they are, only they or the Pale God, who’s also onboard the Cometgracer, can verify your story. So, we’re going there.“

„You shouldn’t be this open with them, Niva,“ Weldenwall muses without sounding too worried about it.

„Do you know the name of the one this Tuonis dude picked up?“, asks Serfin and pushes past Topasa.

„I don’t remember the name, sorry,“ she answers him after a moment.

„Is Tuonis’ Dronename Junpid?“, asks Topasa and steps next to Serfin.

„That’s true,“ Geniva says. „How do you know?“

„Our names as well as his and a few others were written on a wall in the Starblazer,“ Topasa tells her insistent. „This should be prove enough that we’re who we said we are!“

„Nice trick, Fleetgirl,“ Weldenwall cuts in. „Naturally the Fleet knows about those names. This doesn’t mean anything.“

„Right,“ Geniva agrees with him. „The only way we’re going to verify your claims is by asking the one Tuonis saved or the Pale God herself.“

„Then bring us to them,“ Laapis says matter of fact. „I don’t intent to just stand around like an idiot until the sun rises.“

Serfin wants to agree with her but keeps silent, while they start to move towards the docking area.

Although the urge to realise it’s truly Respin, who this Tuonis-guy picked up, he feels doubt gnawing at him. He doesn’t know what he should do if it turns out it isn’t Respin, who escaped the Starblazer. After all, there had been plenty life-ships on the Starblazer. One or two more must’ve managed to get out without notice. This thought alone is enough to rekindle the despair he has felt during their journey to Cetus. If he’s truly dead…, he thinks, barely keeping himself from trembling. If… I… I’m going to burn myself in the sun. No! Res wouldn’t want that! He would never accept this! I need to move on! I need to keep his memory alive as well as Amaris’. But he’s still alive. I’ve to continue to believe this until I get the definitive answer.

With his new resolve he walks a little faster than the others, a few times almost overtaking them. His haste doesn’t go by unnoticed if the irregular glances of Geniva and Weldenwall are any indicators. Still, no one mentions a thing.

—

Once the docking area comes into view, slows Serfin down. He has expected many things but not a fully functioning ramp with electromagnets and additional anchors. And there are the Flares. Although he has seen some ships of this class on the day he and Respin left Cetus to enter the Fleet-program, being now almost up close to those ships, is just as impressive as the ramp.

But soon the first impression of the docking area subsides and is replaced yet again by the urge to find Respin. After all, he ought to be in one of the Flares, most likely the giant one still connected to the ramp.

To Serfin’s growing impatience, Geniva and Weldenwall stop at the bottom of the ramp, where they undo Serfin’s and the others shackles. But the stop is also necessary beyond them regaining at least part of their freedom. There’s a myriad of Menkar on the ramp, talking and exchanging food, drink and clothing. Those receiving those gifts look like they went through many hardships, Serfin can’t even imagine. Yet, despite what left its traces on their bodies, they cry tears of joy, thanking those who gift them even the smallest of necessities with trembling voices.

After Serfin and the others settled at the foot of the ramp, someone pushes past the crowd. It’s a small terrestrial Drone with knobby horns, who approaches them.

„If you two are looking for Talliomere,“ the Drone tells Geniva and Weldenwall. „He’s on board the Cometgracer, talking to the Pale God, as far as I know. Vajira’s also onboard.“

„Vajira?“, asks Geniva surprised. „She should be still inside our tent.“

„Perhaps he first fetched her up,“ comments Weldenwall.

„She went here on her own before Talliomere came,“ the Drone says.

„On her own, you say?“, Geniva asks, her ears picking up.

„Yeah, I talk to her until Talliomere arrived.“

„Seems like she finally steps out side Tallio‘s shadow,“ laughs Weldenwall but Geniva doesn’t look too happy about it.

She even murmurs something but due to the commotion all around them, Serfin doesn’t understand a word.

„By the way, who are those people?“, the terrestrial Drone asks. „Prisoners or new members?“

„For the moment they‘re both and none,“ Weldenwall answers. „Until we verified their identities we can’t be sure if they spies or not. And to do so, we need to get on the Cometgracer.“

„If that’s all you need, then follow me,“ the Drone replies. „I‘m Remise, a shift manager here on the docks, by the way.“

„I remember you,“ Geniva muses as they follow them on the ramp. „You are the last surviving engineer of the Leviathan.“

„Correct!“, they reply cheerful. „Being executed for my service to the Empress didn’t sit well with me after all, so I decided to join this giant little family, that are the Desertwalkers.“

They move past the happy masses and enter the Flare. Despite being so close to finally find out if Respin’s still alive or not, Serfin feels apprehension welling up within himself the closer he gets to the main gate of the Flare. What if it isn’t him?, he asks himself, swallowing hard. What if it’s someone else and he’s… No! I won’t think like this! I won’t!

„You’re all right?“, asks Topasa him in a whisper.

„What?“, he asks, hoarse.

„You’re sending out some serious bad vibes,“ she tells him.

„Oh, sorry about that,“ he replies sheepish. „Didn’t mean to do it. I’m just… I’m nervous.“

„It’s because of Respin, right?“

„Yeah…“

„I’m certain it’s him in the Flare.“

Before Serfin can tell her, he thinks she just says this to make him feel better, they walk into a huge aquatic Drone with a wild expression on his face. Next to him walks the alien Respin was so adamant about saving. The carefree look on her face makes Serfin angry for no discernible reason.

„Niva, there you are!“, greets Geniva. „We’re saved! We can now take the Fleet on should the need arrive!“

„Not so fast, Talliomere,“ interrupts the alien with a soft smile and takes his hand into hers. „Preparation is key. Don’t forget that.“

„Yes, Selene,“ he replies docile, which visibly takes Geniva aback. „Welden, Niva, come on, we need to make plans post haste.“

„We need to take care of the prisoners first,“ Weldenwall says and moves slightly between the two.

Serfin isn’t in the mood for any prolonged conversations. He wants to see Respin. At any price, if necessary.

„Where’s Respin?“, he asks demanding and moves forward.

All eyes are now on him but he doesn’t mind.

„Fin, no!“, whispers Topasa and tries to pull him back.

„Who?“, asks Selene bemused at the same time.

„Who?“, he asks puzzled before anger sets in and he pushes Topasa away. „Damn you! He risked his life to save your ass!“

„How dare you to—“, growls Talliomere about to grab him.

„It’s alright, Talliomere,“ the alien says and holds him back by merely placing her arm in front of him despite him being much taller than her. „I’ve my mind currently on very important topics, so trivialities escape me sometimes. Your friend is deadly ill and currently cared for in the Medical Bay of this ship. Go and seek him out. He might be still alive.“

„What did you do to him?“, Serfin asks snarling. „What?!“

„I did nothing to him,“ she replies smiling. „Slicer did. Now, go. Look after him. Seconds are ticking by. Tick-Tock. Tick-Tock“

„Then let me take them off your hands,“ suggests someone behind Talliomere and Selene.

It’s another male aquatic Drone but instead of Talliomere he still sports his impressive tail fin with a red and gold eyespot as well as plenty other spots of those colours on it. In combination with the red coat and the yellow eyes behind the circular glasses, he looks quite fashionable. Still, Serfin immediately recognises the air of a commander around him.

„That would be nice of you but don’t you need to take care of your ship?“, asks Selene with a smile.

„True, but I might as well help you and Talliomere,“ he replies agreeable. „See it as an apology for my less than stellar behaviour during our travel.“

„Well, I’m glad there’s no bad blood between us, so to speak,“ she says and turns away with Talliomere following her.

Geniva runs immediately after them, while Weldenwall looks miffed.

„Are those the Starblazer people?“, the newcomer asks taking a calculated look over Serfin and the others.

„They at least claim as much,“ Weldenwall replies and pulls the bag with Serfin’s and the others hyperspace-bracelets out of his own. „Here are their bracelets. Keep them or give them back at your own discretion.“

„You sound like a Fleetmember,“ he replies amused.

„Old habits die hard, Tuonis.“

„True…“

„You‘re Tuonis Junpid?“, asks Topasa intrigued.

„Ai,“ he replies. „And you are?“

„Topasa Aricci,“ she answers and starts to introduce the others one after the other, while Weldenwall leaves them.

As she talks, Serfin notes the calculating look on Tuonis face. It seems like he‘s gauging their capabilities and sorting them into useful and not so useful upon each name being called.

„Where’s Respin?“, Serfin asks once it’s his turn to be introduced.

„Respin Gloomer, right?“, Tuonis asks while looking at him from head to toe. „He‘s in the Medical Bay, just as the Pale God told you.“

„Then take me to him.“

„You’re not in the position to make demands.“

„See if I care, four-eyes.“

„Serfin, please, stop it,“ Topasa says and pulls at his arm. „We need all the help we can get.“

„I don’t mind it,“ Tuonis responds with a smile. „I like Menkar who know what they want. So, our first stop will be the Medical Bay.“

—

Respin

The Pact feels weird. While he isn’t in any pain and feels much stronger than perhaps one or two hours ago, he feels spend. Vanum has explained to him that this tiredness would persist a few days as his body needs to heal and grow accustomed to her presence. Her presence is also a reason behind Respin‘s alien feelings. While not consciously present at the moment he feels her mind at the edge of his own. Almost like a whisper so low you imagined it more than hearing the real thing. If Amaris and Vajira weren‘t around, Respin‘s certain Vanum’s presence would cause him to become paranoid if not down right insane.

With that in mind he isn’t exactly partaking in the conversation, despite hearing Amaris‘s voice inside his head. He‘s simply to weak and exhausted to talk. Yet there’s also the fact that both of them talk about a whole set of novels he has never heard about.

„I wish I could just leave and see the world like Talan in the story does,“ Vajira concludes after she finishes detailing the plot of one of the novels. „All I know is the Valonian Desert.“

But you do have access to the Dreamworld, Amaris replies. Only a few have the luxury to consciously play around with it.

„But this isn’t the same,“ she protests. „The Dreamworld isn‘t Cetus. It isn’t the moon or one of the space stations and it isn‘t all the other planets belonging to the Empire. It’s just the Dreamworld.“

„You can enter the Dreamworld?“, asks Respin and causes both Amaris and Vajira to look at him as if they had forgotten he was still there or at least awake.

„I... I‘m a Dreamwalker,“ Vajira answers and avoids eye contact while fidgeting with her braids. „It‘s a very rare psychic ability.“

Before Respin can apologies for prying, since she seems very uncomfortable to admit it, Tarrat and Urania can be heard greeting someone. After Respin’s name falls Urania shots something in surprise.

Immediately Amaris and Vajira stand up to look past the screen, keeping them hidden from view. But before they can move, someone storms past them. Respin only needs a second to recognise Serfin, which is all the time he has, before the tall Menkar jumps onto the bed, pinning Respin down with a tight hug.

„You’re alive,“ Serfin sobs into Respin’s shoulder. „You’re alive! Alive!“

Too dumbfounded and happy to see him again Respin can’t help but laugh, despite his body thanking him with dull pain.

„He won’t stay that way if you continue to smother him!“, Urania shouts angry, by the sound of her voice she must be standing beside the bed.

A moment later Respin’s suspicion gets confirmed by her grabbing Serfin by the shoulder and tearing him off the bed.

„Let go of me!“, he snarls, baring his teeth at her.

„You want to fight?“, she asks venomous doing the same. „Let me show you how much I know about anatomy!“

„Urania, please, not with the patient mixed in,“ Tarrat says and moves between them, which looks laughable since he’s much smaller than both of them.

„Fin, I owe them my life,“ says Respin to mitigate some of Serfin’s anger.

To his surprise his Bondmate immediately calms down. With a bittersweet expression he wipes his tears away and takes a deep breath. Before anyone can say something, Serfin settles again at Respin’s side, this time just lowering his forehead to his until they touch.

Respin feels the same tingle as that time Serfin had done the same before they separated on the Starblazer. It’s a nice feeling, making him hold still and close his eyes with a smile.

„I missed you so much,“ Serfin tells him while pulling back — much to Respin’s dismay.

„I missed you too,“ Respin replies and looks towards the others behind his Bondmate.

I’m so glad everyone made, he thinks but notes a moment later that Amaris has vanished.