Serena felt her eyes filling with tears once again. She switched off the communication device and turned to her other side, feeling the faint scent of Hunter’s skin still embedded in the sheets where he used to lay.

She cursed herself for not being able to push him aside. It was supposed to be her, not him being torn apart. She, at least, could have grown back the lost limbs. Hunter, even if the chimera would have left his body, would not be able to survive. Not after the massive blood loss he suffered after losing his leg and arm in such a brutal way.

And facing Wolfin and Lindon every day after all that was making everything worse. Especially after she fell prey to the maddening rage that took over, forcing her to destroy a whole planet, which used to be Falana’s refuge.

Two Veluthian men weren’t supposed to see her so broken — they’ve already seen her broken enough. Others too — Laneth and Kayla, Cipher and Pher — all of them had her snapping back at them during the first few days. This wasn’t how a Captain should be acting — and Serena knew that.

So every time she walked out of her quarters she always had a couple of shots of the strongest sedative she ever made — the same one she used when they dined at the Palace with Empress Alathea after Serena was released from prison.

Having the sedative helped her to remain cold and distant and not lash out at the attempts the crew made towards her to comfort and console her. Most of the time she didn’t even talk to them or even look at them, and she knew that it made them feel helpless.

But some days it was harder for her to get out of bed at all — just like this one. At times like these usually either Wolfin or Lindon — or both — would come to plead her to go out at all.

And she wasn’t even feeling strong enough to get up.

All she needed was some time to grieve and some peace and quiet.

Lyssa kept sending her updates on the investigation and what Lindon was doing as active in command, but Serena almost never checked those logs, wishing to be just left alone.

«Serena, please…» Lindon forced the AI to pass his message through the doors communication system. «We need to talk…»

The woman forced herself up and out of bed, stumbling into the bathroom. Before washing her face she gave herself a shot of sedative.

It took her a few very long minutes to give her pale face some semblance of being fine. Pulling up her trousers, she almost forgot about boots. After getting dressed, she clasped her belt on — littered with ready to use syringes of sedative and gave herself another shot before unwillingly walking out.

Though she wasn’t looking up, she knew — Wolfin and Lindon didn’t go far and waited her to walk up.

«Serena…» Lindon reached out to her, but the woman silently walked past, indifferent to everything that surrounded her.

She knew very well that if she were to stop eating or even getting out of her quarters, these two could actually force Lyssa to open the door and would easily drag her out of bed. Both Wolfin and Lindon cared for her too much to allow her to stay all alone.

Serena felt someone stopping her with an embrace, and froze, allowing the man to hold her tightly. She was grateful that the double dose of the sedative was strong enough not to let her eyes fill with tears again.

«We’re here for you.» Wolfin’s voice sounded by her side, quiet and worried.

«I know.» Serena pushed an answer out of herself for the first time in all these days.

She hated the sound of her voice — low and raspy — but knew that it was a result of her crying for so long every day. That was one of the reasons she didn’t want to speak to anyone at all.

Lindon slowly freed her from his arms and stepped back, trying to catch her gaze, but failed, as she was looking at the floor. The woman felt his warm palm on her cheek, but couldn’t force herself to raise her eyes.

With a faint sigh, Lindon stepped aside and Serena continued her way towards the dining area, even though she felt no hunger at all. Over the days that passed all she could make herself eat would be enough to feed a puppy, not a full-grown woman, so it wasn’t surprising how worried Wolfin and Lindon were, watching her peck at the tiny portions and water them down with a glass of alcohol each time.

«We have updates on Falana.» Wolfin said when they all sat down behind the table.

Serena kept silent, looking at her plate and seemingly indifferent to everything they had to say.

«She was seen on one of the trading stations in Sector 459-B.» Lindon glanced at the woman in an attempt to see any sort of reaction.

Though she heard the name of the woman who was the reason for Hunters demise, Serena didn’t feel anything inside. She wasn’t sure if it was the result of her sedative shots or the absolute burnt out soul after losing her beloved, but for some reason she really had nothing to say to the news.

«We’ll arrive tomorrow.» Wolfin exchanged glances with Lindon.

They didn’t get a reply, and fell silent, understanding that Serena didn’t want to speak.

Over the days she was like this they got used to this uncomfortable, heavy silence between them. The only thing that made them a bit calmer was the fact she wasn’t pushing them away and sat there, eating, though she could have as well been locked up at her quarters like she was for the first week after Hunter’s death.

Wolfin understood her most of all — he lost his wife and son, and remembered the way he was for the first two months after that. First weeks were a blur as he tried his best to grieve, when every person seemed like they were eager to get punched just for talking to him.

The man reached out and carefully took Serena’s palm in his, squeezing it gently.

«We’ll get through this, Scorpi.» he said to her. «I promise you.»

Serena flinched a bit, throwing a quick glance to his hand on hers, but remained silent. Wolfin sighed and let her go, not wishing to push her patience further.

The woman felt herself so lost, even though she was supposed to be wishing to kill Falana. But all she could think about is how she saw Hunter being torn limb from limb in front of her eyes.

She had lost people before, but never had she felt so hollow and incapable of doing anything. Maybe, if she was given enough time to grieve on her own, she could have forced back her rage and the wish to kill Falana for what she had done. But she couldn’t. Wolfin and Lindon kept bugging her — time and time again asking, begging her to come out of her quarters.

Serena couldn’t sleep that night, wondering if she would be able to find any solace even if they track down Falana. She was obviously of no help — her mind turning blank every time she tried to even see what updates her crew has come up with. And she definitely couldn’t trust herself if they encounter Falana. Serena could equally fall prey to rage or freeze, remembering the smirk on the woman’s face when Hunter died in the chimera’s maw.

By the time morning came she already made up her mind. She had to do something. But she wasn’t sure if she will be able to. Serena walked up to the window, seeing her ship approaching the station. The space station was vast — much bigger than most — capable of holding a few hundreds of ships from all over. It had twenty levels, each separated by gravitational engines that allowed the people inside to walk and operate without having to bother about the zero gravity of space.

One of the most promising traits this station had was the number of people to get lost among, and the variety of paths Serena could take. She would definitely have options.

The woman looked aside to the small backpack of things she gathered up, and took a moment to think if what she was about to do was the right thing. It took her the whole of last night to think over, and she already activated the short protocol she wrote for Lyssa to follow after she would go, but something still scratched at the back of her mind.

Finally, the ship docked and Serena thought that she wasn’t even useful on board anymore. She needed time to grieve and a little solitude to get her head back together. But she wouldn’t be able to find it on Lyssa — that she knew for sure.

Activating her armour, she picked up the backpack and clasped it to the plates, uniting the systems. Before she left her quarters, she switched on her cloaking device, slipping away unnoticed.

The bustling station had so many traders and people that it was easy to get lost in the crowd and deactivate her invisibility and armour safely. Not wasting any time, Serena found a ship heading out and bought herself a ticket among other passengers seeking passage elsewhere.

Within an hour she was off the station.

The tiny cabin provided in this ship was shared with five other passengers — three women, a man and a child. None of them really engaged in conversations, knowing very well that sometimes it is best to keep silent and not ask many questions from strangers.

However, children are always curious, and so was the little boy that watched the strange white-haired woman for a bit before approaching her cot and smiling to her when she looked up.

The boy was barely thirteen old, and had a ruffled mane of dirty blond hair that fell to his eyes.

«Hi! I’m Norren.» he said. «What’s your name?»

«I have no name.» the woman replied, her face as cold and expression-less as it was back on her ship for the past days.

«So… what do people call you when you cross paths?»

Serena took a moment to think and exhaled:

«Ghost.»

«Cool!» his eyes flared up with excitement. «Such a cool name!»

«Norren, honey, don’t bother the passengers!» one of the women pleaded.

Serena glanced at her and shook her head, trying hard to remain calm and collected. To her the boy was a distraction from the heavy thoughts that filled her head as soon as she sat down.

«What do you do for a living, Ghost?» the boy sat down next to her.

«I’m… a fighter.» Serena sighed. «I fight for money.»

«Funny… I always thought fighters have lots of tattoos…» Norren glanced at her arms.

«I still hadn’t decided what tattoos I want, so… maybe I’ll get them when I get to my destination.»

«How many fights have you had?»

«One on one? A lot.»

«And how many did you win?»

Serena looked at the child and wondered if her reply sounded like a lie:

«All of them.»

«No way!»

«Aw, come on!» the man chuckled. «There’s no way you won every single fight!»

«I’m strong.» Serena forced a smirk to her face. «And fast.»

The man cackled and sat at the tiny table they had in the corner, offering her his hand.

«How about we arm wrestle? I’m a strong man, so don’t think I’ll be easy to defeat.» he said.

«Papa’s the best in arm wrestling where we come from!» Norren said proudly.

Serena got up and walked over, sitting down on the opposite of the man, clasping her hand with his palm.

«Ready?» the man asked her.

Serena nodded and felt him immediately pushing. But to her it was barely worth effort to tense up. A moment passed, then two, and the man’s bravado faded, his face turning surprised. He tensed up, beads of sweat forming on his forehead, but still couldn’t budge her arm from upward position.

The woman tilted her head:

«You are strong. But not as strong as I am.» effortlessly she moved her arm and forced his down.

«Holy shit! What did they feed you when you were little, Ghost?» the man looked at her shocked when she freed his palm.

Serena decided not to answer.

Chapter 2. Shock

«Serena!» Lindon pounded on the door, growing angry at the woman for being locked up for so long. «Damn it, open the door! It’s been five days!»

The door silently slid open to his surprise and Lindon glanced in, noting how dark it was inside.

«Serena?» he called out.

Silence seemed so heavy and so still that he walked in, searching for any sign of the woman.

However, her bed was empty and the bathroom stood open, with Serena nowhere in sight.

«Lyssa, where is she?» Lindon barked.

«Serena Dal Thara-Lyss is not on board, Active Captain Lindon.» the AI replied.

A wave of shock came over the Veluthian and he darted away.

«Everyone to the bridge, NOW!» Lindon ordered through his earpiece.

«What the hell, Lindon?» Wolfin’s voice returned in irritation.

«Don’t ask, just come to the bridge now!»

Running into the bridge, Lindon jumped onto one of the seats, immediately opening the ships logs to see when Serena left to find out if they would be able to find her.

«Explain yourself!» Kayla said, as she was approaching together with Laneth and Wolfin.

«Serena’s gone!» Lindon hissed. «And since we’ve been on four stops in the last five days, I have no idea when she slipped away!»

«What do you mean she’s gone?» Laneth was shocked to hear their Captain leaving.

Even though the mechanic rarely saw Serena lately, mostly trying to bury herself in work in the engineering bay on more and more stuff she could present to the Captain later, she still tried to at least ask about her well-being every time she saw the Veluthians. For the past few days she heard that Serena wasn’t answering, but none of them thought she could have left at all.

Wolfin hurried over, seeing what Lindon was doing.

«Lyssa, how long had she been gone?» Wolfin asked the AI.

«I am not allowed to say.» the ship replied.

«Laneth, see if you can deactivate the protocol Serena must have put in to help her escape.»

Laneth exchanged glances with Kayla and sat down at one of the working stations, with the girl looking over her shoulder to learn what she was doing. A few moments passed, but the talented mechanic that knew quite a bit couldn’t break through the intricate code Serena had in the protocol to protect herself.

The woman leaned back, frowning, and decided to try a different approach:

«Lyssa… is Serena not on board for more than four days?»

«Yes.»

The Veluthians glanced at Laneth and saw her frowning.

«So if she slipped away back at the Dahaarn trading station, she could be anywhere by this moment.» the mechanic sighed. «Right, Lyssa?»

«According to my calculations, any of the ships that were docked there and left the station while we were investigating could be anywhere in the known Human Universe at the moment.» the AI replied. «Considering she could have changed ships every day, or every other day, there are thousands of possibilities to her destination.»

Wolfin gritted his teeth:

«Right now I regret letting Cipher go to chase another lead…»

«And what could he have done?» Lindon barked. «None of us noticed and he what, would have?»

«What are we going to do?» Laneth closed her eyes with her palm.

Kayla put her little hand on the woman’s shoulder. The girl already told them all that they shouldn’t have touched Serena, forcing her out of her quarters all the time. Unlike all of them, Kayla felt like their Captain needed some time to be left alone. But no one ever listened to her, doing what they thought was best.

The girl sighed, realising that if only she were a bit older, then, maybe, her words would have more weight among the crew. She hoped Serena was okay.

Even though the woman barked at her that day when they lost Falana’s trace, Kayla never felt offended — she was scared a bit, but only until she learned that Hunter got killed in the scuffle they experienced on the planet. Knowing how greatly the woman loved the man, Kayla knew that it wasn’t at all easy for her to lose someone who meant so much.

«Lyssa!» Wolfin barked so loud that it made Kayla flinch.

«Yes?» the AI replied.

«Send message to SS Growler to meet with us ASAP! Set up a meeting point at…» the Veluthian checked with their list of places they were checking in search for any news about Falana. «Parati. Tell them we’ll be waiting for them.»

«Sending message…»

«And you expect us to what? Sit around and wait?» Lindon growled.

«And what are we supposed to do, huh, Lindon? What do you propose we do? Do you have any idea where Serena might have gone?»

«Stop it, please!» Kayla pleaded.

The men turned to the girl and saw her eyes filled with tears. Wolfin took a very deep breath and stepped up to her, lowering to his knee and meeting her gaze:

«I’m sorry, little bug…» he sighed.

«Please, don’t fight!» the girl sobbed, feeling her soul aching for the family she found among these men and women on the ship she started to call home.

«We’re just worried for our Captain, Kayla.» Laneth pat the girl on her shoulder. «That’s all.»

«I understand! But this is not the way to do things!» Kayla raised her voice, crying. «Serena would never want this! Not like this!»

Lindon watched the girl, realising that even though she usually wasn’t really seen or heard, always silently following someone — mostly Laneth — for the first time she drew attention of them all. And, most importantly, it was the first time the man saw her crying.

In a sudden realisation he understood that Serena might have run because they didn’t give her enough time to cry and grieve over Hunter’s demise. After all, they didn’t even have anything left of the man for her to be able to say goodbye and have a funeral.

Perhaps, he thought, Serena ran, because she needed closure that she wasn’t able to get among them.

Turning back to the working station, Lindon couldn’t shake off the feeling that they’ve failed Serena when she needed them the most.

Arriving at Parati they’ve parked their ship in the massive space port and began waiting for the arrival of SS Growler. Their partners came a day later — a bit dishevelled and tense, they debriefed the crew of MSS Lyssandra on the facts they’ve managed to uncover in their investigation.

Cipher wasn’t really surprised to see Serena not amongst them, but when he heard that she ran off, his demeanour changed in a split second.

«She what?!?» he screamed, jumping from his seat from behind the table.

«She left, Cipher.» Wolfin sighed, seeing how pale Cipher became.

He knew the two men from SS Growler were friends with Hunter for a long time and have been dealing with losing him as well — only, they did it by drinking and remembering all the fights they’ve gotten into together ever since they came to know him.

«When? Why?!» Cipher exhaled, realising that their investigation was the only thing that actually kept him going and since they lost Hunter it was his straw to stay sane.

That and the fact he knew Serena wanted to find the bitch that killed her lover and their friend.

«Any idea where she might be?» Pher asked, grunting with disapproval. «Any of those places we’ve been to where she ran off to fight?»

«I don’t think she’ll be there, Pher.» Lindon said, feeling hollow. «She ran to be alone. She’ll find a new place to get the solace she needs.»

«Fuck!» Cipher gritted his teeth.

«The reason I called you for a meeting is because we have to decide if we need to find Serena as much as we do — Falana.» Wolfin shook his head. «We can’t do both. But if we go after Serena, we might give Falana a chance to find new hideouts and new resources to utilise.»

«You’re wrong, Wolfin…» Laneth took a sip of wine, which she preferred to drink whenever they discussed business.

«In what way?» the Veluthian shot a heavy gaze at the woman.

Laneth sighed, leaning back on her seat and raised her eyes:

«I might not be as good a programmer as Serena, but I had some time to see how her protocols are made.» she said. «I can write a protocol to utilise the ship’s scanning systems to intersect messages and info from passing ships. If any of those have any mention of Serena or a woman similar, we’ll know. This won’t make us searching for her directly, but will allow us to keep an eye out for her, wherever she went.»

«So you’re proposing we continue chasing Falana and leave the search for our Captain to your ship?» Cipher growled.

«Both our ships, Cipher.» Laneth shrugged. «We’ve split up to cover more space in search for the bitch… if we do so again, we’ll have advantage, because every ship that passes yours and ours will be scanned for messages, articles, news of any kind that mention Serena or someone who looks like her.»

«And you’re sure you can write a protocol this sophisticated?» Pher asked.

«I’ll help her.» Lindon nodded. «I have some experience in searching for people in outer space, I know a bit how to make a protocol like that. Though, usually, it wasn’t my job to write them.»

«Any help will be appreciated. Because I have no idea how long it might take me.» Laneth shook her head.

«I suggest we start right now, because the more time we waste, the further away both Serena and Falana might go…» Wolfin sighed.

Chapter 3. Silver

Daruta. The smallest planet in the Laithorian Empire.

It’s most prominent niche of export was always related to growing many different fruits and vegetables, collected from all over the known Universe. Everything that was safe for human consumption was grown on its vast fields and farming factories and processed into a vast variety of goods. But the population wasn’t just farmers, as they were raised in the very same harsh environment as Veluthians — a bit easier to tolerate, but still allowing the natural mutations to strengthen the bodies of those who were once descendants of Terrans. The artificial DNA alterations did the rest.

Darutan people were just as focused on the military upbringing and valued fighting skills. That is why any major city had a whole plethora of fighting clubs where everyone could test their strength. The most promising fighters could easily find a professional fight coordinator to take care of them if they wished to fight for a living.

This club wasn’t one of the biggest, but it was proud to present some of the strongest fighters among people living in the area.

This woman was a newbie. She just moved in somewhere near and chose this club solely because the few fights she saw while drinking, made her think she could fit right in.

«Today we have our weekly open cage night! All you newbies and brawlers can test your skills and vigour challenging others to a fight! And if you are lucky, you might walk away with a hefty sum of prize money! Get your fists ready and sign up, because places are limited, ladies and gentlemen!» the coordinator announced aloud, his voice reverberating all throughout the club.

The woman moved towards the cage, where a couple of Darutans signed up anyone who wanted to partake in the fights for a small entrance fee and also took care of placing the bets.

«What’s your bet, girl?» a sleek-looking man smiled up at the woman.

«Don’t call me girl, asshole.» the woman put a stack of chips that represented the funds she wanted to bet. «This is my fee to fight and a bet on myself.»

The man squinted, watching her with his light brown eyes.

«You’ll fight a woman.» he said, taking her money.

«I don’t care who I’ll fight. Just give me someone strong, who can take a punch!» she gritted her teeth.

«What’s your name, girl?»

The woman leaned in close, squinting:

«Silver Ghost. And I’ll turn you into one if you call me girl one more time.»

«Alright, Ghost. Wait until we call on you.» the man winked. «Call me Pauliss.»

Ghost scowled and walked aside, grabbing a receipt from him.

She walked over to the bar and grabbed a drink, watching the coordinators finishing up preparations and deciding on the pairings. As the choices were finalised, the names appeared on the screen, showing the opponents.

First fight was announced and started, and Ghost stood watching indifferently at the pair circling and cautiously approaching each other. She was bored while watching others fighting, and by the time her name was called, she was already feeling the buzz of alcohol in her head. Still, she approached the cage and walked in, knowing that whoever she sees in there, probably won’t be strong enough to quench her bloodthirst.

She hoped that the amount she had to drink would help her not fall prone to a fit of rage.

Her opponent was a woman, but not as cautious as the fighters in the previous fights. Ghost met her approach straight up, blocking the heavy blow aimed at her, and realised that this dance won’t be long — the opponent would be winded soon, if left unchecked.

«Boring.» Ghost sighed, swirling with her body and catching her opponent with a series of punches and kicks.

As she straightened, landing one hefty punch from downside up, the woman in front of her swayed, but stayed standing, her arms hung by her sides.

Ghost tilted her head and saw the woman swaying harder and falling flat on her back.

Not amused by the easy — and quick — win, Ghost walked out and heard someone walking up.

«You’re fast…» a woman’s voice sounded. «Ever fought in cages before?»

«I did. Elsewhere.» Ghost shrugged.

«Tell you what… if you win this open cage tournament, I can represent you. You have potential.»

Ghost glanced at the woman and saw a beautiful face with tanned skin and bright purple eyes. Her hair was a faint lavender colour, shimmering in the lighting of the club.

«Ghost.» the fighter offered her hand.

«Sierra.» the woman shook her hand. «Good luck.»

«I don’t need luck, Sierra. I have my fists and my skills.» Ghost shrugged, heading off.

She didn’t really care for any of the business that was related with the organisational side of the fights — she could easily be on her own. If one of the fighting coordinators laid her eyes on Ghost, it wasn’t of any significance.

Before Ghost entered the cage again, she managed to get even drunker. Her second opponent was a bit more interesting and kept her attention up until the finishing blow the woman landed to his face, throwing the man to the floor.

By the time she reached the ending fight of this open cage tournament, Sierra approached her again, promising her that she’ll have her represented even if she loses. Ghost didn’t reply, walking into the cage and wishing for the pain that haunted her to subside.

The last opponent brought her some semblance of calm, allowing her to have a couple of minutes of an interesting fight. Winning didn’t ease her pain and she didn’t even smile, when Sierra walked up, raising her hand up, announcing her as the winner.

Not really interested, Ghost agreed to be represented by the woman, understanding that it would be easier to find more interesting matches instead of the rookies she could challenge on her own.

Sierra introduced Pauliss — the very same man who was rude to Ghost when she was signing into the tournament — as her assistant and the fighter thought if that would bring any problems in the long run. Still, she signed the contract to be represented by Sierra and her local fighting career began, as she appeared in the club every week to fight whoever Sierra or Pauliss found for her.

Slowly getting into the routine, Ghost began to find some solace in the fact that she was no longer bothered by people to find out what she felt — Sierra and her assistant were more worried if she was able to fight. And that was no problem for her at all.

By the time a few weeks passed, Sierra understood the potential of having Ghost fighting more often and it was exactly what the woman fighter wanted.

Chapter 4. Trace

«Active Captain Lindon…» Lyssa’s voice tore Lindon out of his sleep.

«What is it?» the man growled.

«I believe you need to see this…» the AI said, switching on the screen near his bed.

Lindon wiped his face, trying to shake off the remnants of sleep from his eyes, and understand what exactly he was looking at.

On the screen was a short video of a fight going on in one of the many cages that were scattered all over the human colonies in the known Universe. In it was a very athletic woman, arms covered in intricate tattoos, and a large man. By the way both moved Lindon understood that they were both Veluthians — their manner of hand-to-hand combat was definitely belonging to that of Velutha.

«And what am I supposed to see here?» Lindon frowned, still barely awake.

«The female fighter is known as the Silver Ghost. Look at her closely.» the AI said.

Lindon squinted, studying the woman. Though she moved fast, he suddenly caught glimpse of her face and his jaw dropped.

«Serena…» he exhaled.

«Exactly.» Lyssa said. «This video was intercepted from a passing Laithorian Space Ship half an hour ago.»

«And it took you that long to wake me up?» Lindon jumped out of his bed, quickly getting some clothes on.

«I was scanning the ships logs for directions where it came from and what was the origin of this video. According to my analysis, the video came from Daruta, from one of the clubs located in the fighting district in Demogen city.»

Lindon darted out, immediately pommelling at Wolfin’s door:

«Wolfin! Get your ass up!» Lindon screamed.

The door slipped open to a very irritated looking man, who grasped at the sheet on his waist — a newly obtained habit since Kayla loved appearing at the most unexpected of times:

«What the fuck got you so riled up at this hour?» Wolfin growled.

«We found her!» Lindon nodded aside. «Get dressed, we’re going after her.»

Wolfin’s face lengthened, surprised to hear such news:

«Wait! You found Serena? Or Falana?»

«Serena! Get dressed! Meet me at the bridge!» Lindon hurried away. «Lyssa! Connect me to Cipher!»

«Yes, sir!» the AI replied.

As Lindon ran over to the bridge, he was already anticipating seeing Serena again. He didn’t care for her reasoning behind leaving them — he knew very well what urged her to do that. But what he was more worried about was the fact that she left when she needed them most.

Within half an hour the crew of MSS Lyssandra was gathered and ready for the jump. And SS Growler was notified of the new development and sent the information — in case Cipher and his crew won’t be able to follow up on their own chase and search for Falana and her associates.

And though Lindon and Wolfin were eager to find Serena, Laneth was hesitant, understanding that their Captain might still be hurting from the loss they took from their last encounter with Falana.

The woman glanced at Kayla, who followed her even though the girl was still half-asleep. The child lay curled up on Laneth’s lap and fell back into slumber, but for some reason Laneth knew what the girl could say.

Over the time that passed, she heard it more than once — Kayla made it evident that she knew the reasons for Serena’s disappearance.

«When we arrive, Laneth…» Lindon caught the mechanic’s gaze. «I will need you to help Lyssa sift through the articles and reports on the fighting clubs in Demogen.»

Laneth nodded, accepting her role. If she could — she would help them in any way she could, however unsure she was of their wish to get Serena back.

Maybe, she thought, it was better for Serena to grieve on her own. Perhaps, this way she didn’t need the sedatives she’s been using while she was still aboard the ship.

But she kept those thoughts to herself, realising that the Veluthian men probably won’t listen to her — just like they didn’t listen to Kayla, when she asked them to leave Serena be for some time.

Arriving in Daruthian orbit, Laneth kept thinking that Serena must have chosen this planet for a reason. This way she could easily send them word whenever she would be feeling better — after all, they did visit Velutha from time to time to see if there were any updates from the Empress’ men.

Laneth still felt a pinch of guilt, knowing they never told the Empress that Serena was nowhere near MSS Lyssandra for the past couple of months. Though, this wasn’t an issue — at least, not to Laneth’s knowledge.

Undergoing the usual check and passing it easily — this was thanks to the Imperial decree that allowed them to visit any planet within the Laithorian Empire without any sophisticated checks or usual questions about their business — they descended to Demogen city and rented a parking plot in the nearest space port. With the Decree and available funds they could stay there as long as they liked — most of the rental price was always covered due to them being in direct employ of the Empress.

Laneth glanced at the Veluthians and for a moment thought if she could persuade them to wait and, perhaps, allow her to talk to Serena instead. Seeing how tense the men were, she decided to keep quiet — the two were obviously in no mood to discuss the matter further.

With a sigh, the woman caressed Kayla’s hair, watching her sleeping, and thinking about how drastic their life became with the job they found themselves on. If it weren’t for Falana and her crazy experiments — Hunter would have still been alive. And Serena could still be happy.

«Laneth!» Lindon’s voice made her flinch and Kayla grumbled through her sleep.

«Yes?» the woman raised her eyes to the man.

She saw him looking straight at her with a frown:

«Start sifting through the media to find traces of Serena. We need to know which club she’s fighting in.»

«Yes, sir.»

«Stay on comms and let us know when Cipher will get here.» Lindon slapped Wolfin’s shoulder and the men headed out.

Laneth nodded, knowing they were going to try and ask around the city in search for Serena — just to stay busy, so that their worry won’t become an issue if they’d be staying on board of the ship.

Chapter 5. Stalkers

«Do you see her?» Wolfin’s voice sounded in Lindon’s earpiece.

«She turned by Link’s Market, heading west.» the Veluthian walked far back, but trying to keep himself inconspicuous.

As he turned, he saw Serena purchasing something at one of the vendors, and continuing her path — her steps slow, as if she didn’t care at all if anyone was watching or possibly following her.

Lindon felt horrible seeing the woman slouched, and her head down. It was as if she didn’t even want to look up from the street. Still, he wanted to approach her, but allowed Wolfin to persuade him to fall back and watch her for a bit before doing that.

For two days they watched her, learning that she was fighting at the club and then simply returning to her home. And by the things she’s been buying every evening, Lindon could make the assumption that she either ate very little, or not at all. This made his heart ache for the woman even more.

On the third day, after watching her fight a bulky opponent in the cage, they finally decided to approach the woman. They split up just in case — Wolfin heading towards her apartment building ahead, while Lindon stayed back, waiting to follow her home.

He saw her usual slow walk back, her short stop at one of the grocery stores and her purchase — a couple of bottles of alcohol and something that resembled a pack of dried fruits.

Walking behind her Lindon thought if she was feeling any better in the life she found on Daruta. Deep inside he hoped she would be happy to see them. But he also feared that she would push them away.

Seeing Serena disappearing on the stairs that lead up, Lindon saw Wolfin glancing out from behind a corner and hurried to him.

«Fifth floor. Apartment 537.» the man reminded him.

«Did you see anyone else there?» Lindon looked up.

«No. So… do we approach now? Or do you want to wait a little more?»

Lindon pressed his lips together and gestured to him to follow, heading up the stairs. They ascended the stairs to the fifth floor and walked up to the door, marked 537, but for a few moments Lindon seemed to be hesitant if he should press the button that hailed the resident inside. Wolfin, however, sighed and pressed it, seeing the man deep in his thoughts.

It took a few long moments before the door slid open and they saw the woman. Her face was covered in bruises from the fight she had, she was dressed only in a tank top and panties and obviously drunk. Leaning over the wall next to the door, she grimaced, seeing them at her door. Taking a swig from a bottle in her hand, she turned without a word and went back inside, leaving the door open. Lindon shook off his shock first, stepping into the small, almost cramped apartment that was littered with empty alcohol bottles. The helper-bot that was supposed to be keeping the apartment clean lay in the corner — smashed to pieces.

Wolfin stepped in a moment later, pressing the door to close, and stood a bit at the entrance, feeling his heart aching for his named daughter.

Serena plopped down onto the couch and took a cigarette, lighting it. She didn’t look at the men, but her face — which was now as expressionless, as when they parted — was aimed at the only piece of evidence that the woman before them was really Serena.

She was looking at a photographic frame, where she and her crew were standing happy — with her kissing Hunter.

«Serena…» Lindon approached her and kneeled down next to the woman.

She shook her head:

«That’s not my name anymore.» she said quietly. «I’m Ghost.»

«Please don’t say that…»

«Why not, huh?» she suddenly grimaced in anger. «Why the fuck not? Why can’t I grieve in the way I can at least cope with the loss? I know you’re not grieving — you’re obviously happy he’s gone! Now you can pursue your dream to make me yours!»

«That’s not how it is, Serena…» Lindon felt hurt by her words, but knew that she was saying that only because she couldn’t let go of Hunter’s death.

«We all lost him, Scorpi.» Wolfin stepped up. «He was a good friend to all of us. So don’t…»

She emptied the bottle in a big sip and threw it aside, taking a deep breath of the aromatic smoke from her cigarette. Wolfin suddenly realised that the cigarettes she was smoking weren’t the plain type, carrying a slight tint of some herbs that were usually offered as sedatives when someone was hurt.

«Don’t what, Woofy?» Serena asked angrily. «Don’t what?»

She leaned with her elbows on her knees and grasped at her head, closing her eyes in an attempt to keep her tears from bursting.

«I tried.» she exhaled shakily. «I really did. I tried to cope and live on. And I can’t… I can’t… I didn’t even have anything left of him… You have no idea how much it hurts… and how many times I’ve climbed up to the last floor of this building, sitting on the edge and contemplating if I should just let myself fall…»

Lindon reached out and touched her leg, offering her a bit of comfort, but she seemed to have not noticed this.

«I can’t be there anymore. I can’t be on the ship and walk the corridors where he walked before… I can’t…» Serena finally let her tears flow down her cheeks. «Go. I’m not leaving. If you’re so eager to get me back, check in with me in a year. Maybe by that time, if I’m still alive, I’ll be somewhat ready to move on. But not now.»

Wolfin gritted his teeth:

«Serena, please don’t…»

«Serena, what about the bitch that killed him?» Lindon asked. «Don’t you want to kill her for what she did?»

He saw her grimacing from pain, and felt his heart stop for a couple of moments from the realisation he brought back the memory of what happened to Hunter that day.

«Leave!» Serena suddenly screamed, raising her eyes to the man. «Now!»

«Serena…» Lindon said, hoping to talk her out of this.

The woman darted up, grabbing his clothes and shoving the man away from her:

«Leave now, before I throw you out!»

Wolfin put his palm onto Lindon’s shoulder and sighed:

«Let’s go, Lindon.»

The men shook their heads and walked out, hearing the woman crashing the empty bottles — no doubt, in search of one that was full. As soon as the door closed behind them, they stepped to the railing of the long walkway.

«I can’t leave her like this.» Lindon said, feeling his eyes filling with tears for the pain that Serena was experiencing.

«We’re not leaving.» Wolfin said, growling. «Not just yet. The ship and the crew need their captain. And our Captain needs her crew.»

Chapter 6. Unexpected

Serena sat on the bench, looking at her fists. She was supposed to be getting ready for a fight, but all she could think about was the visit she received two days ago. Ever since Wolfin and Lindon appeared on her doorstep, she couldn’t shake off the feeling that wherever she would run, the two will always find a way to trace her down and find her.

She hoped they took her advice to leave her alone, but she also knew that they probably stayed around to watch her for the time being — hoping she would change her mind, no less. Serena really didn’t want them to be in her life at that moment.

«You’re sure you want to fight this cyborg that came in?» her fighting manager Sierra walked into the room, glancing at the Silver Ghost with worry.

«I don’t care who it is I must fight. Just get me into the cage.» Serena didn’t even look up.

«Tell me you’re sober, at least?»

Serena sighed, looking up, and didn’t answer, tilting her head to the side. Sierra ruffled her purple-dyed hair and grimaced:

«I swear! Sometimes I look at you and I think you’re not looking for a fight, but want to get yourself killed.»

«Does it matter? All the more entertaining for the crowd, all the more money for you.» Serena shook her head.

«It does matter, Ghost! I don’t care what your real name is or why you’re really here, but I can’t sit back and watch you kill yourself over… I don’t even know what!»

«Then don’t bother, Sierra. It’s my choice to be here. It’s your choice to represent me. Take it or leave it.»

Sierra took a really deep breath and shook her head once again:

«Fine. You do you, Ghost.» she stepped to the door. «I’ll send Pauliss to fetch you. Two minutes.»

When Sierra left, Serena glanced to her bag and took out a syringe, giving herself a shot of some sedatives — just in case, because she’s already had a couple of instances when her rage made her almost kill her opponents. She didn’t want to make that mistake again — mostly because she didn’t want Sierra to get into trouble. Throwing the syringe back inside, she stood and stretched, wondering if Pauliss will be flirting with her again. She hated the man — to her he was just a bastard who wanted to get a ride on the popularity Serena has gained over the two months she was fighting in the cage.

By the time Pauliss entered, she was warming up, hoping that the fight will be interesting enough.

«Ready, babe?» Pauliss made his usual attempt to slap her ass.

Serena caught his wrist and tightened her grip, meeting his gaze:

«How many times do I have to repeat myself, Pauliss?» she asked. «Or should I just break your arm for you to remember not to touch me?»

The man smiled and leaned in:

«I’ll stop only after you agree to spend the night with me, babe.»

The woman squinted:

«I’m allowing you to call me babe. That should be enough for you, asshole.» she said. «Don’t test my patience.»

She rudely pushed his hand away and headed out.

The woman heard the crowd chanting her name — the corridor that led to the cage filled with the muffled voices of Darutans cheering for her:

«Ghost! Ghost! Ghost!»

Serena closed her eyes, feeling the calmness before the fight. She didn’t care much for the people who loved seeing her fight in the cage. But hearing the crowd chanting her name made her remember the past. More than enough times she wished she could go back to the simpler days.

But that was an impossible dream.

She opened her eyes just as she was stepping out into the lights.

A couple of drones flew past — a usual sight for the club — and Serena aimed her eyes at the cage. The club was packed — lots of people came to see her fight. The woman walked into the cage and stopped in her corner, leaning over the bars that surrounded it. Even though she saw people before her eyes, she didn’t bother to give them a single thought, glance or any other sort of attention. She never cared for her fans.

A minute passed and Serena heard heavy footsteps behind her — her cyborg opponent walked into the cage, ready to meet her in combat.

Serena closed her eyes for a second, then opened them, ready to fight. She straightened, and turned to her opponent.

Immediately she felt her knees becoming weak and her breath escaping her throat.

In front of her stood Hunter — a little taller, a bit more massive than he used to be, augmented to the brim, flashing with a fully enhanced cybernetic body made in some matte dark metal, he watched her, but his face didn’t show a single emotion. It was as if he didn’t recognise her at all.

«Hunter?!» the woman breathed out.

The cyborg didn’t even flinch, continuing to watch her, expressionless.

She didn’t hear the sound starting the fight. She didn’t move when Hunter began approaching. She watched him, shocked and not believing her eyes, until he walked up close enough.

«Hunter!» she whispered, a smile crawling to her lips. «You’re… alive?»

The cyborg leaned in a bit, tilted his head and punched her.

The blow was so hard that Serena flew back, hitting the bars of the cage. The crowd around them roared, excited to see the fight.

«Hunter!» she gasped, straightening. «What are…»

He stepped up, landing another blow to her gut and making he gasp for air. His metal fingers grasped her short hair and jerked her up.

«Hunter…» the woman made yet another attempt to call to him.

The cyborg watched her without a single emotion in his blue eyes.

Serena felt his fist crashing into her ribs. The sharp pain immediately hit her, making her gasp for air, her lungs rapidly filling with blood. Another hit swept her off her feet, but the cyborg didn’t stop, kicking her in the gut and slamming her into the wall of the cage.

As the cyborg kneeled in, grabbing her clothes, Serena forced out:

«Hunter, please…»

Something in his face flinched, but only for a moment. He tilted his head, as emotionless, as before, and punched her in the face, knocking her out.

Straightening, he turned and left the cage, allowing for Pauliss to run in and check Serena’s pulse. The man threw her hand over his shoulder and dragged her out, hurrying into the locker rooms to get her some first aid.

Chapter 7. Near-Death

«Hunter…» Serena whispered, feeling blood trickling from her mouth.

She could barely hold her consciousness from slipping, dragged by someone through the streets towards her apartment. Fortunately, she lived quite close to the club.

«I’ll be whoever you wish, honey.» Pauliss chuckled, carrying her on his shoulder. «Just don’t die on me right now…»

He carried her to the fifth floor and opened her apartment, dragging her inside. The man threw down her bag and stepped towards the bedroom, but Serena finally tried to catch anything to stop him.

«No… Hunter…» she grabbed at the doorframe.

«Sure, whatever you say, pretty.» Pauliss pressed her to the wall, landing a kiss to her neck.

She felt so frail and incapable of moving her pained body, that couldn’t even push him away.

«Oh, I’ve been waiting for an opportunity like this for so long…» the man purred, caressing her body and making her bare her teeth in pain.

Suddenly the entrance door slid open and a man walked in, gritting his teeth.

Pauliss stepped away, surprised to see anyone appearing at such a time:

«Who the fuck are you? Get the fuck out!»

Serena slipped down to the floor, almost losing consciousness. Lindon growled, jolting to Pauliss and grabbing his clothes.

«And who the fuck do you think you are?» he asked. «She’s injured, and all you can think about is satisfying your lust for her?»

«Hey, I was doing what she asked for!» Pauliss tried talking himself out of this situation.

«Hunter…» Serena exhaled, trying hard to keep herself awake with the thought of Hunter being alive.

«See? Hunter! That’s me! I’m Hunter!»

«You have no honour!» Lindon threw Pauliss across the room, slamming him into the wall. «You’re not Hunter! Get out, before I break your neck!»

«Listen here, you jerk!» Pauliss straightened, angry at the stranger. «I don’t care who you think you are, but she’s mine!»

«Yeah, right! That’s why she’s calling someone else’s name!» Lindon walked up to Pauliss. «I know you’re not Hunter, you know you’re not Hunter. If you want, we can settle this the honourable way. A duel? Or would you prefer to leave intact, on your own and without any broken bones?»

Pauliss saw a very dark glint in the man’s eyes and raised his hands:

«Fine. I’m not Hunter. So what?»

«So… leave now, before I change my mind and break your arms for trying to take advantage of my fiancée!»

Pauliss’ face turned pale. He swallowed hard and hurried to exit the apartment, leaving the angry man with the heavily injured woman.

Lindon jolted to Serena, quickly getting out a portable medical scanner he took just in case, knowing how badly the woman could be hurt and saying that she’s fine. This time, however, he knew that even she would admit she was nowhere near fine.

«Shit!» Lindon shoved the scanner into his pocket and picked Serena up onto his arms.

Running out with her, he knew that the best way to help her was back at the ship, but it was parked ways away. He did, however, know about a small medical shop nearby, which operated as an emergency hospital for the locals.

Entering it, he was greeted by one of the medical pods activating and quickly lay down Serena inside, worried for her well-being. The pod came to life, scanning her for the injuries, and showing the extent of her wounds on the screen.

«Severe injuries detected. Administering first aid and healing stimulants.» the pod reported. «Bed rest highly advised.»

Lindon watched as the medical appendages set Serena’s broken ribs into place and applied the tight corset bandage to keep them in place while she will be healing. One of the appendages freed her lungs from all the blood that was collecting inside, and another set of stim-shots were made, administering some painkillers and stimulators to help her get to her feet for the time being.

When the pod opened up again, Lindon saw Serena slowly opening her eyes, barely able to be conscious.

«Serena…» he leaned over her, squeezing her palm. «Do you hear me?»

«Hunter… He…» the woman grimaced, feeling all her body aching.

«We saw.» Lindon swallowed a lump. «Are you good enough to walk?»

«We have to… find him… something… is wrong.»

«Wolfin is on his tail. I’m more worried about you. We need to get you back to the ship.»

«But…»

Lindon cupped her cheek, making her look at him:

«We’ll find him. We’ll find out what happened to him. Trust me. But right now… I need you to get up. I’ll help you to the ship.»

«My things…»

«We’ll get them on our way. Alright?»

Serena tried to push herself up, but felt her body protesting, so Lindon helped her slip off the pod, grasping her by the waist and trying not to press her too hard. Together they slowly made their way back to her apartment, where Serena stayed by the door, seated on a chair that stood there, while Lindon collected everything she told him to.

When the man walked up to her, bag in his hand, she took the syringe he offered her and made herself a shot of one of her special painkiller mixtures.

«I’ve contacted Lyssa. She’ll be up on the top floor shortly to pick us up.» Lindon helped Serena throw her arm over his shoulder.

This time they took the elevator to the top floor, and from there — the stairs to the roof, where ships could land shortly to drop off or pick up people and cargo. When they ascended the stairs, Lyssa was already there, waiting for them with the cargo bay door open.

«Welcome back, Captain!» the AI greeted Serena when the two walked in. «I highly advise you to get to your quarters and lie down.»

Serena wanted to object, but her legs buckled under her, and Lindon was forced to pick her up onto his arms.

«Contact Wolfin.» Lindon growled, carrying the woman to her quarters. «Find his location.»

The ship swiftly ascended into the skies as Lindon carried Serena to her quarters.

Chapter 8. Hunter

It took Serena a couple of days to recover, and another two — for them to catch up to Hunter’s trail.

They didn’t find out how exactly he got to Daruta, but when they saw Zarad meeting up with the cyborg, they fell back to see if the two will lead them to Falana.

What they did manage to find was that Zarad was purchasing some materials and rare resources that were available only on Daruta. And since the planet was a known trading stop for many different ships from all over, no one noticed the Veluthian ship that was parked in the space port for a number of days.

However, even after the ship flew off, they still hadn’t seen Falana anywhere. Lindon, ordering Lyssa to be cloaked and unseen, followed the cyborg and Zarad, until the ship reached one of the seventeen moons of a space gas giant — Nahelas-Torm. Six of the seventeen moons were inhabited — there were various tiny settlements there that operated in collecting the rare gases from Nahelas-Torm for export.

Reconfiguring MSS Lyssandra to look like any other human ship, the crew docked in the small space port, which could barely be called a safe place — a couple of pirate ships were freely parked there as well.

Serena — even though feeling better and much stronger than she was before — was eager to see Hunter again and find out what happened to her man. In the past few days she barely spoke to anyone — and when she did, all she could ask was if they can finally get Hunter back.

Lindon didn’t like this obsession, even though understood her wish to know what happened to the Terran. To the Veluthian it all seemed too suspicious, too obvious that Hunter came to fight her in that cage. It seemed like Falana was forcing Serena into a trap.

Wolfin agreed with him on that and they both were worried that Serena would not be as clear headed as she should be when the time comes to meet Falana and her goons face to face. Both men also agreed that for the time being Hunter should be considered an enemy, because the man they knew would have never hurt Serena at all, and this augmented fighter nearly beat her to death, barely landing a few blows to the woman.

So when the Veluthians saw Falana and Zarad walking out of their ship — Lyssandra was parked only two spaces away from it with constant video feed aimed at their vessel — they headed out to follow the two. Since Hunter wasn’t with them, Wolfin forced Serena to stay on board with Laneth and Kayla watching over her, as they all will be searching for any sign of Hunter. Laneth was ordered to contact the Veluthians as soon as they catch glimpse of the cyborg and keep Serena inside the ship at all costs.

And though Laneth wasn’t sure she would be able to stop the woman from running off, she promised to do everything in her power to do so. Kayla, on the other hand, promised to let them know if anything happens.

Serena felt irritated and offended, remaining on the ship. She stayed silent all the while her eyes were glued to the screens watching Falana’s ship standing on the parking plot.

Laneth and Kayla didn’t bother the woman and entertained themselves by quiet chatter — Laneth was explaining something new to the girl. It was a good distraction to keep the child engaged in their life, as the girl was quite capable and smart for her age. She caught on quickly and Laneth was glad that Kayla was so interested in topics like the mechanisms the woman worked on a lot, or the programs she was creating. Apart from that Kayla was very interested in medicine, and Laneth hoped that someday in the future the girl would find herself learning a number of very useful skills that might come in handy in their line of work.

Unfortunately, the conversation they were having was so deep that Laneth didn’t notice Serena slipping out of the bridge.

«Laneth.» the ship’s AI called the woman. «I could not stop our Captain.»

The woman jumped from her seat and whipped around, immediately concerned for Serena, who was nowhere to be found.

«Where did she go?» she asked, panicked

«She’s outside!» Keyla screamed. «She went to Hunter!»

Laneth glanced at the screen and immediately jolted out of the bridge, seeing Serena approaching the cyborg and hoping that Kayla would contact Wolfin or Lindon to let them know. The mechanic cursed herself for not being able to make three shocker guns to knock the cyborg out — she was able to make only two and gave them to the Veluthians, as they needed them more than she did.

If they only knew…

As for Serena — she wasn’t really thinking. When she saw Hunter walking out of Falana’s ship, she slipped away, while Laneth was distracted by Kayla, and ran out to see if she could manage to at least speak to the man.

Running up, she jumped in front of him, and the cyborg stopped, coldly looking at the woman.

«Hunter!» Serena called out. «Please! Let me know there’s something of you left in this…»

A heavy blow landed to her jaw, throwing her down.

Through the ringing in her ears she heard him making a step forward and grabbed his leg. The cyborg froze, looked down and she saw him tilting his head a bit. The next flash of pain made her curl up on the floor, when he kicked her in the side.

She forced herself up and caught up with him again, but as soon as he saw her next to him, his foot landed a kick to her leg, making it snap. Serena gasped, falling down, and yet still caught his ankle.

«Hunter! Please! I know you’re…» she breathed out.

The cyborg leaned down and grabbed her neck, raising her up.

Serena reached out to touch his face, but felt her chest bursting with pain. Her mouth almost immediately filled with blood, and the woman realised her strength was failing.

«Hunter… I love you…» she whispered, shedding blood. «Please…»

The cyborg in front of her remained expression-less, until suddenly something hit him in the back and he bared his teeth, arching his back.

Serena felt a jolt of shock enveloping her body and her mind slipped away, throwing her into the safe embrace of darkness.

Perhaps, it was for the best that things happened like this. But Lindon and Wolfin, who rushed back to the ship at first news of Serena running off, weren’t happy to find their Captain in the condition she was in when they arrived in a nick of time.

Swiftly, they delivered both — the barely alive Serena and the cyborg they knocked out with one of the shocker guns Laneth supplied them with — on board Lyssandra. They were glad that things like this happened in this space port all the time and no one seemed to care for the scuffle that took place.

And while Laneth was working hard with Hunter, trying to find out what to do and if they could even get him back somehow, Serena was placed into the care of the medical bay. It took the mechanic a little while to find out that Hunter, though augmented, was, in fact, still partly human. The only problem was that there was some kind of a chip installed to make him either pliable for manipulation, or put under direct control of Falana herself. And since it was connected to his brain, the man was delivered to the medical bay as well to get this part extracted — with hopes of him becoming himself again.

Some time passed before Hunter opened his eyes, but the first thing that came to his mind was the memory of Serena in front of him — wide-eyed, pale and spilling blood from her mouth. He wasn’t sure if what he saw was a nightmare.

He tried to get up, but something held him down. When he looked at his body, he saw an alien, metal torso, glimmering under the lights, and the same, metal-covered arms and legs. His gaze slid further and he saw a medical pod, inside which lay a woman. The pale face, silver hair and multiple bandages on her body made him flinch.

«Serena!» he called out, his voice coarse and low.

The man tensed up, hearing the bindings screeching, and began twisting and turning, panicked at seeing Serena so close — unconscious and obviously hurt.

«Let me out!» the man growled, trying to break free.

The bindings on his arms and legs rumbled, giving way under his strong cybernetic body, and suddenly ripped, allowing the man to jump off the table. He jolted to the woman, pressing his palms against the lid of the medical pod, and tried to understand what happened.

«Serena!» he almost let himself punch the lid, but froze, when he heard someone aiming a gun at his back.

«Step away from her, you metal freak!» Lindon’s voice sounded.

Hunter slowly raised his hands and cautiously turned to his friend.

«Lindon… what the…» the man looked at the barrel, aiming at him. «Put that down… What happened to Serena?»

«You happened.» Lindon grimaced, hatred written all over his face. «You almost killed her.»

Hunter fell silent, shocked to hear these words, but then looked at Serena and tried hard to remember what exactly happened when he last saw her.

«I don’t…» the man shook his head. «What?»

«Oh, so you don’t remember? First you almost killed her in the fight club, then you almost killed her two days ago.» Lindon’s gun flinched to the side. «Step aside.»

«Lindon…»

«Don’t!» the Veluthian bared his teeth. «Just get away from her!»

Hunter saw Wolfin stepping up from behind Lindon:

«Wolfin…»

The Veluthian passed Lindon, holding a blade, and lowered his stance, obviously getting ready for a fight.

«Guys…» Hunter didn’t know what to do, seeing his friends being so hostile towards him.

«Shut up!» Lindon growled. «Step aside. Get on your knees, hands behind your head.»

Hunter understood that whatever he says — they will not listen. He slowly took a step to the side, kneeled and clasped his hands behind his head, feeling desperate and confused.

«If I may…» Lyssa’s voice sounded. «His control chip has been deactivated and removed. If my calculations are correct, he is back to his usual self.»

«What did I do?» Hunter raised his eyes to Serena.

«You have attacked Serena and caused her extreme injuries that were almost fatal. Though you did that under the influence of the controlling chip, I am afraid Wolfin and Lindon have decided you do not deserve their trust at the moment. I am sorry.» the AI replied.

Wolfin and Lindon saw Hunter’s eyes filling with tears.

«I didn’t… I didn’t mean to…» he exhaled shakily, understanding the dire situation. «I’m so sorry…»

«Sorry isn’t going to cut it, Hunter.» Wolfin gritted his teeth and glanced at Lindon. «I told you we should have locked him up.»

«Lock me up, if you think it’s necessary.» Hunter met Wolfin’s gaze. «I will not fight it. I just… just tell me she’s going to be alright.»

«Captain Serena is suspended until her wounds heal.» Lyssa reported. «Estimated time for full recovery is seven days.»

«Lyssa, provide us with cuffs strong enough to keep him from attacking.» Lindon ordered.

«Cuffs are unnecessary, as he is no longer under someone else’s control.»

«Cuffs! NOW!»

«Of course.»

A moment passed and one of the helper bots arrived with cuffs similar to those used on Serena back at Velutha, when she was taken into custody. Wolfin grabbed them and his blade waved to the side.

«Turn around. And don’t flinch, or I’ll cut your shiny metal arms off.» the Veluthian said.

Hunter slouched, slowly turning his back to Wolfin. He didn’t want to fight the men who loved Serena just as much as he did. He knew why they were so untrusting of him.

As soon as the cuffs clasped his wrists behind his back, Wolfin placed the blade at his throat.

«Up. Very slowly.» he ordered.

Hunter complied, feeling guilty for doing something so vile that his own friends turned from him. He couldn’t even fathom what Serena might say when she wakes up.

Before he was escorted out, he glanced at Serena’s body once again, feeling his heart aching.

Chapter 9. Scrap Metal

Serena awoke with a sharp inhale that made her arch her back from a phantom pain of her previous wound. She panicked, scrambling off the medical pod and falling to the floor, trying to catch her breath, while ascertaining where she was and was she even safe at all.

Her memory kicked in, showing her the emotionless face of someone she loved, watching her as his blade pierced her chest, aiming at her heart. A pained, desperate wail flew out of her throat, and she curled up on the floor, shedding tears in a realisation that Hunter was lost to her forever.

She didn’t hear someone running up to her. She didn’t feel the warm embrace that the man gifted her, trying to comfort her. All she could feel and realise was the immense pain and the desperation that buried her under the heavy sense of emptiness.

Serena didn’t feel the shot that she was administered, but, at least, it helped her begin to swim out of the chaos of emotions that reigned over, until her tears ran dry, and she felt the numbness slowly returning to her.

Even though she felt like she still needed to cry and scream — her body no longer answered her commands, not allowing her to push a single tear out. Only then she realised she wasn’t alone and someone was holding her close, embracing and caressing her hair in a desperate attempt to calm her down.

«Please, Serena…» she heard Lindon’s voice near her ear.

It took her some time to feel strength returning to her. She moved to free herself from his arms and slowly rose, finding herself standing on her knees. The empty, hollow sensation in her heart grasped her and she reached out to grasp the man’s shoulder — only to push herself up to her feet.

Once she stood, Lindon caught her upright when she swayed.

«Serena?» his voice trembled, seeing her almost as broken and distraught as when she first returned to the ship after Hunter was thought to be dead.

She tried to say something, but her throat let out only a pained gasp and the woman stepped towards the medicine processor, ruffling through the capsules with her trembling fingers in an attempt to find the right one. She saw Lindon fish out the sedative and push it into a syringe, giving her another shot.

Serena closed her eyes, feeling her body slowly stop trembling.

«Thank you…» she breathed out, turning to leave.

She didn’t even make a single step, when Lindon caught her in a tight embrace once again:

«Serena… I’m so sorry…» he whispered. «He’s… locked up.»

Even though she was numb from the sedatives, Serena felt her mind tensing up:

«What?» she pushed out of herself.

Lindon slowly leaned back, catching her pained, desperate gaze.

«We locked him up.» he repeated.

It took a couple of moments for Serena to understand what he was telling her:

«Take me… to him…» her voice sounded coarse.

«Serena, please…»

«Take me…»

Lindon saw in her eyes the strange glimpse of pain, mixed with a semblance of hope, or something very similar. He was afraid to let her see the cyborg, but he knew that she would have to see him for herself.

With a heavy sigh, Lindon nodded:

«Let’s get you in some clothes first, alright?» he tried to reach out to her.

The woman lowered her eyes to her body, seeing it barely covered by the bluish bandaging gel that helped her recover. She couldn’t make herself say anything, and simply nodded to the man, although her mind was swirling in hundreds of thoughts and questions that clashed together because of the state she found herself in.

When they got to her quarters, Serena was so distant and seemed so unresponsive that Lindon had to help her dress up. The man worried that when she sees Hunter she could do something out of her character. With what the cyborg had done to her, he wasn’t sure what to expect from the woman. All he could — was be there for her if she would need support of any kind.

Heading to where the containment cell was located, Lindon couldn’t help but think Serena looked like a zombie — she walked, but stumbled, her eyes looked to the floor, but seemed not to notice anything around.

Before stepping in, Lindon checked his gun to be set to the heaviest charge — just to be sure that if Hunter attacks, he would cause the cyborg a hefty amount of damage. He still had the shocker gun Laneth made, but wasn’t keen on using it after the bloody scene he came upon when they saved Serena last time.

If it weren’t for Wolfin, Lindon would have most probably destroyed Hunter that day.

As they walked in, the lights flared up from the dim lighting that was there before to the bright illumination.

Hunter jumped from the cot and approached the see-through door that allowed him to see his visitors. Seeing Serena made him smile — she was alive, seemed absolutely fine, though her face was still pale and somewhat shocked. He thought it might have been because she was still in shock knowing he was alive.

Serena looked up and saw him in the cell and immediately felt her emotions drowning her again. The sedatives helped her stay collected — somewhat — and she heard herself say:

«Lyssa, open the cell.»

Lindon immediately grabbed his gun out of the holster, frowning, but didn’t move, when the door slipped open, letting the cyborg out.

Hunter jolted out to embrace Serena, but as soon as he made three steps to her, he saw her jumping back to the wall and pressing herself against it, trembling. He stopped mid-step and his smile slowly faded, as he understood what he was seeing in her wide eyes.

She was terrified.

«Serena…» Hunter watched her face for any sign of recognition and softness, but there was nothing but the terror she felt from seeing him approaching her.

The man looked away, unable to see this. Lindon gripped his gun tighter, though it wasn’t aimed at Hunter at all.

«I’m so sorry…» Hunter exhaled. «I am… so… so… so sorry.»

He looked up at Serena again, seeing her flinch and felt tears running down his face. Fighting against his urge to embrace her and comfort her, he stepped back and squeezed his fists:

«I’m sorry. I don’t know what else to say, Serena.» he said, slowly heading towards the door. «But I am sorry.»

When he exited, Lindon saw Serena slipping down to the floor, braking into tears. He didn’t follow the cyborg, but instead chose to walk over to Serena and kneel next to her, embracing and offering her the comfort she needed.

It wasn’t the first time she was grasping at him, crying her eyes out in an absolute chaos of a mix of emotions that drowned her. But he wished it would be the last.

Hunter stepped through the ship lost and hurt — the way he saw Serena looking at him was too much for him to bear. He heard her crying behind and it made him look at his hands.

Feeling desperate and hollow, the man headed to the only place he felt he belonged to now.

Laneth heard the door opening and looked at the entrance. Seeing Hunter in all his metallic glory, she jumped up, throwing off her protective mask she was wearing while welding a couple of pieces of metal plates together. She didn’t let go of the welding gun, though.

Hunter took a cautious step forward.

«Can I crash here for a while?» he asked, his voice shaken and tense. «After all, I’m just… scrap metal.»

Laneth saw a genuine expression of sadness and guilt on his face and tilted her head:

«Your chip was taken out, so… you’re you, right?» she nervously stepped back. «You’re not going to try and kill me?»

«No. I’m not going to try and kill anyone.» Hunter shook his head.

Laneth took a very deep breath and swallowed hard, before answering:

«Very well. You can crash here.» she watched him slowly walking over to a corner and sitting down on the floor, grasping at his head.

The woman glanced at the welding gun and put it down, picking up a scanner instead. She approached Hunter very slowly and cautiously, watching him, and aimed her scanner at him, still very interested in the way he was put together. She took a few minutes studying the results, before sighing:

«They kept your head and torso intact… So you’re at least part human. Though, they definitely exchanged your bones for some sort of an alloy…»

«Like that matters.» Hunter retorted, feeling desperate and defeated.

«It does. You still need sustenance and sleep.» Laneth lowered the scanner, looking at the man. «And… well, you’re still a man, if you were wondering.»

«Thanks, I guess.» Hunter lowered his hands, looking up at her with teary eyes. «But how is that going to fix anything? Lindon and Wolfin hate me, Serena…»

He gasped for air, realising how much pain he had caused.

«Serena?» Laneth asked.

«She’s afraid of me.» the man wiped his tears and looked at his metal arms, gritting his teeth. «Who wouldn’t be? Look at me. I’m a… pile of scrap metal that almost killed her…»

The woman sighed heavily and shook her head:

«That… you did. Under control of some bitch called Falana.»

Hunter shook his head:

«It doesn’t matter, Laneth. I was the one, who made those blows…»

«It matters. Because it wasn’t of free will.» Laneth walked over to her working desk and opened a drawer.

She ruffled through it until she found a bottle of alcohol she usually used for work, as she drank very rarely and usually with company. Approaching the man again, she offered him the bottle. Hunter didn’t take it straight away, looking at this gesture with a very sad expression on his face. But when he did, Laneth moved a box closer and sat on the opposite side of him, looking at his new body.

«I’m not even sure if I should be drinking…» Hunter shook his head.

«Why not? You’re suffering. Do you think Serena and others aren’t drinking right now?» Laneth shrugged.

The man sighed and took a big sip of the strong alcohol he was offered.

«I don’t know what to do… I don’t think they will ever forgive me for what I did.» he said, grasping his head again. «How can they?»

«Well…» Laneth took the bottle from him and took a sip. «Here’s what I propose you do… You can stay here in the workshop as long as you need. I don’t mind. Maybe I’ll even get some inspiration from your new… uh… spare parts?»

Hunter couldn’t help to smirk at this remark:

«Spare parts… right.»

The woman gave him the bottle again, tilting her head:

«Plus… I’m sure they’ll come around. Just… don’t push your company onto them, alright?»

«Why would I? After all I’ve done I’d rather not show myself at all.» the man took another big sip. «I wouldn’t be surprised if they ditch me somewhere.»

«Nah, don’t say that! They won’t ditch you! I mean, not after what happened to you! Serena…» Laneth suddenly fell silent, realising Hunter didn’t know or remember her being so inconsolable that she ran off from the ship.

Hunter saw her falling into thought and tensed up:

«She what?»

«We all thought you were dead… She was… inconsolable and cried for three weeks straight.» Laneth shook her head. «But then she just disappeared, when we made a pit stop on one of the trading stations. She ran off.»

«Ran off?»

«I guess, she didn’t want to be on a ship, where everything reminded her of you. She went to Daruta. She fought in the fighting clubs they have in one of the cities. I had Lyssa gather me all her fights that were recorded. Serena was trying to forget… or cope… I don’t know.» Laneth shrugged, pressing her lips together. «That was until she encountered you in the cage.»

Hunter felt his mind being stirred up and a faint memory of Serena’s bloodied face rose up from somewhere deep within.

«I can show you that fight… it was… you were… brutal.» Laneth took a deep breath and looked into his eyes. «I wouldn’t recommend you seeing it. But if you want to, I can show you what you did then.»

The man took his time — and a couple of swigs from the alcohol bottle — before answering:

«Show me.»

«All right… but don’t say I didn’t warn you.» Laneth stood and walked over to the big screen she usually used to work on her designs and schematics.

It took her a couple of moments to put on a video of the fight. Hunter watched the beginning sitting, but when he saw Serena hesitating, he stood up and approached the screen, noticing his face in the video being emotionless and still, as if there was nothing left of him in there.

When he saw how hard he punched Serena and knocked her down, he couldn’t help but squeeze his fists, crushing the bottle. Laneth flinched, but didn’t move away. She waited until the fight was over and someone dragged Serena away, before changing the image to an x-ray of Serena’s torso, showing multiple ribs broken and one of the lungs torn and filled with blood.

«This is what you caused then.» Laneth said, then retrieved another medical image taken from the last encounter Serena had with him. «And this is what you caused her the last time you tried to kill her before we got that chip out of you…»

Hunter saw a full-body image that showed a cracked jaw, broken ribs, a broken leg, and a stab wound next to the heart. He fell to his knees, feeling weak and helpless.

«Makes sense…» he pushed out of himself, crying. «They hate me for… makes sense.»

Laneth sighed once more and shook her head:

«I warned you.»

Laneth heard hurried steps and suddenly Kayla, who was napping in the far corner of the workshop, jumped to Hunter, hitting him with a metal rod she found somewhere. The clank of metal against metal reverberated through the air, as Laneth tried catching the girl before she made another hit.

«You big bully!» Kayla cried out, her eyes bursting with tears.

She hit the man on his shoulder again and lowered her weapon, dropping it to the floor.

«I’m…» Hunter didn’t even want to look at the girl, feeling even worse than before.

«How could you?» Kayla slapped Laneth’s hands away and ran off, leaving the mechanical bay.

Laneth sighed heavily, realising how much Hunter would need to fix.

Chapter 10. Team

Lindon saw Cipher appearing on the screen and noticed how tense and collected the man was.

«We found traces of Falana. I’ve sent you the updates.» Cipher got to business straight away.

The Veluthian opened the files he received and frowned, seeing information appearing.

«Meet us there.» Lindon said a moment later. «We’ll reconvene and try to track down the bitch together.»

A heavy silence hung between them for a couple of long moments.

«How are they?» Cipher asked.

Lindon gritted his teeth, raising his eyes from the screen. He really didn’t know how to explain everything that’s been happening on MSS Lyssandra ever since they brought Hunter back on board.

«Serena’s…» the Veluthian shook his head. «She’s trying.»

«And Hunter?»

Lindon grimaced:

«I’m not very keen to keep him on my ship. Even more having him walking around freely. No matter how much Laneth keeps saying his control chip was deactivated and extracted, I can’t… Every time I look at him I remember how he tried to kill Serena.»

«You do understand that he was doing that not of his free will, right?» Cipher asked, tilting his head.

«You didn’t see him try and kill her, Cipher! You didn’t see, so you have no idea!» Lindon growled. «I can’t trust him. Serena doesn’t trust him…»

«We can take him on board, if you’re…»

«Serena won’t allow it!» Lindon took a deep breath. «Even after all that he’s done to her, she won’t allow it.»

«Then offer her what little trust in her reasoning you still have.» Cipher proposed. «She needs support, not criticism.»

Lindon looked away, realising how right Cipher was in that regard.

«Remember that we’re a team, Lindon.» SS Growler’s Captain said. «We are all in this together. A true team works out whatever they face… together.»

Lindon couldn’t help it and grimaced again:

«Yeah, right.»

Cipher sighed:

«See you there. And keep your head clear.»

Lindon switched the communication line off, deciding not to reply. He knew very well that Cipher and Pher were happy to know they got Hunter back. But the two Terrans had no idea the severity of the state he was in.

And as for the Veluthian… he couldn’t make himself trust Hunter at all.

It helped that the cyborg stayed in the mechanical bay most of the time and left only when others were somewhere. Keeping an eye on the man, Lindon knew that he ate only at night, when everyone else was sleeping. The rest of the time he kept alone or with Laneth.

Lindon asked the woman about what they did in the mechanical bay, and Laneth answered truthfully that he barely spoke and sometimes helped her lift heavy metal plates or keep them in place when she was welding or working on something. Other than that, the cyborg tried his best not to engage with anyone.

The Veluthian took a deep breath before inputting the course.

Even though his mind kept returning to Serena, who seemed to have decided that all she needed was rest and training, Lindon knew that he would need to speak with her concerning the new information Cipher found in his investigation.

«Lindon…» Wolfin’s voice sounded in the earpiece.

«What is it?» the Veluthian looked up from the screens.

«Take a break. You hadn’t eaten today.»

Lindon felt something in the tone of voice he was hearing:

«Serena’s out?»

«Yes.»

«I’ll be right there. Thank you. I have good news, so I am hoping this will help.»

Wolfin didn’t reply.

Ever since Serena let Hunter out, her past mentor tried his best to keep an eye on her, always letting Lindon know whenever the woman went to grab something to eat — at least, she wasn’t starving herself anymore. They both shared these meals with her, even though she wasn’t really talkative and kept mostly to herself.

Lindon hoped his news would allow him to see at least the faintest spark in her back.

Walking into the dining area, he got himself a meal and sat down behind the same table where Serena and Wolfin were sitting. The men exchanged glances and Lindon saw that Serena was deep in her thoughts, playing around with a piece of food.

«How are you feeling today?» Lindon asked the woman, noting her knuckles scabbed.

He knew she was most probably beating something again for hours on end.

«Same.» the woman replied, her face flinching in a grimace, but only for a split second.

«Serena…» the man wished she would look up at him, but she continued looking at her plate. «I have some news. Cipher and his team found traces of Falana’s crew.»

Wolfin and Lindon noticed how the woman tensed up and slowly raised her eyes.

«Where?» she breathed out, gritting her teeth.

The Veluthians saw a glimpse of her old self — holding back the sudden rage, but eager to face her enemy. This warmed their hearts a little.

«Kanartha. I’ve already set course.» Lindon replied.

He saw her looking to the side, and noted the angry expression on her face.

«Good.» she said.

The man reached out, covering her palm with his, and felt her fingers trembling.

«We’ll get her. I promise you.» he said.

The woman glanced at his hand, but didn’t pull away. For a couple of moments Lindon thought she was considering if she should, but then he felt her catching his fingers and squeezing them slightly.

«Thank you.» Serena whispered.

This short contact made Lindon understand that she was slowly recovering from the heavy depressive state she was in ever since Hunter was returned to MSS Lyssandra. It warmed his heart to know this, but he also thought if his news could have made her unreasonable in terms of the encounter they were about to have if Falana and her crew really were where Cipher found they were heading.

«Will you have the time to look through what Cipher sent us?» Lindon cautiously asked her.

Serena took a few moments before nodding:

«Sure.» she replied, looking like she was deep in thought. «When we get there, Hunter will come with us.»

«No!» Lindon gritted his teeth. «I’m not going to trust him doing anything…»

He froze, when Serena slammed her fist against the table, leaving a small dent.

«Non-negotiable, Lindon.» the Captain said with an angry frown. «I need to see if he’ll go back to her. I need to know if he’s to be even remotely trusted. If he returns to her…»

She swallowed hard, falling silent.

«I’ll keep an eye on him, Captain.» Wolfin squeezed Lindon’s shoulder.

«I need to know my team is…» Serena’s voice gave out and she pressed her lips together for a moment. «…a team.»

She stood up, leaving the table and her unfinished meal.

«Serena…» Lindon wanted to reach out to her again, but she shook her head.

«Finish your meal. Meet me on the bridge.» the woman said. «In the meantime, I’ll see if we can make a wormhole jump to get there quicker.»

She left them, and the Veluthian men exchanged glances. Wolfin sighed, feeling a strange mix of worry and distrust.

Chapter 11. Kanartha

Serena glanced at the planet, feeling a strange pull towards the colony located on its surface. This colony — small and relatively unknown, was once a stop in the travels she took.

When she was a scrapper.

The woman thought that she still was, in a way, the very same scrapper. Only now — instead of gathering scraps of precious metals and everything worth selling — she collected scraps of her life. Bits and pieces of her memories, the shattered shards of her soul, broken heart…

Serena sighed, closing her face with her palm.

«Are you alright?» she heard Lindon asking.

«I’m fine.» she replied, feeling the urge to bark at him, but not finding the strength to do so. «Just a little tired.»

Lindon walked up to her and kneeled, touching her palm that lay on the armrest. The woman lowered her other hand and met his worried gaze.

«You remember that you don’t have to hide anything from me? From any of us?» he asked her.

She leaned in with a heavy sigh and reached out to him, wrapping her palm around the back of his head and connecting their foreheads:

«I do, Lindon. Stop thinking about what’s happening to me. I’m just tired.» she said. «But thank you for your concern.»

The man felt her letting go and leaning back again. This short gesture made him feel warmth in his heart, but he could feel that she did this just to calm his nerves.

«Why don’t you go get a short nap then?» Lindon caressed her hair, seeing the same pained expression in her eyes suddenly. «While we’ll be waiting for Cipher?»

She took a moment to think, then hesitantly nodded, getting up:

«Take over then. I’ll be at my quarters. Report when Growler will be here and…» she glanced out to the colony. «See if you can find Falana’s vessel.»

Lindon pat her shoulder, accepting her orders. When the woman left, he stood there for a bit, lost in his thoughts, before he turned and saw Wolfin watching him with a very sad look in his eyes:

«Did you notice?»

Lindon sighed, nodding:

«She’s hiding something.» he said.

«Maybe she’s just afraid to share it?» Wolfin shrugged. «She has been through a lot…»

«What do you propose we do? Leave her on board when the time comes?»

«No. I don’t think that’s an option.» Serena’s mentor shook his head. «But I would propose you would go to her, when Cipher gets here. See if you can offer her… a conversation, a… hug? I don’t know. Whatever will make her feel at least a little better.»

«I don’t think she’s open for that kind of contact just yet, Wolfin.»

«Yeah, right.» Wolfin grunted. «And what happened just now was what? A punch to your face? Stop lying to yourself, Lindon. She’s reaching out. Make the step towards her. She definitely needs some sort of support. Don’t make the same mistake we made when Kayla asked us all to let our Captain be. The girl sees how Serena needs some semblance of human contact. And she does! Otherwise she wouldn’t have done what she just did.»

«I think you’re mistaken…» Lindon sighed. «She did that for my sake, not her own.»

Wolfin walked up and met his gaze with a twitched brow:

«And if she would still be wrapped in her own torment, would she do that? Even to help you calm your nerves? Did she do that when we mourned for Hunter? Did she?»

Lindon stayed silent, realising that Wolfin was right.

«Exactly!» Wolfin slapped the man on his shoulder. «So when Cipher comes — you’ll go to Serena and do whatever is necessary to show her that she doesn’t need to distance herself just because she fears to share something with us. I don’t want her running off again. And neither do you, I’m sure!»

«You’re right.» Lindon sighed again, stepping to his place. «I don’t want her running off again to seek solace and… whatever she was looking for then.»

Wolfin pat his shoulder once again and then stepped away to sit behind another control panel.

The next two hours they were floating in orbit and trying to find if Falana’s ship was anywhere near. Lindon was grateful for Serena taking precautions to reconfigure Lyssandra before they took the jump, which made their ship looking inconspicuous for the humans living on the colony.

When SS Growler appeared, Lindon left Wolfin on the bridge and hurried to Serena’s quarters to tell her that they were almost ready to descend.

As the door opened, he saw Serena with her hair ruffled, and a strange expression on her face. He couldn’t help himself taking a step forward to touch her face:

«Have you slept at all?»

«Maybe an hour…» Serena sighed and suddenly took a step closer and embraced the man, hiding her face on his chest.

Lindon was surprized, but wrapped his arms around her, feeling her muscles relaxing a bit.

«Are you okay?» he asked.

«I’m sorry…» Serena whispered and the man felt himself tensing up.

«What are you apologizing for?»

«I’m doing it again…» Serena leaned back a bit, but didn’t seem to have the strength to look up at him. «I’m sorry for… being distant. I shouldn’t be. Not with you. Not with… any of you. I know I’m just…»

«Hey!» Lindon cupped her cheek and raised her face to look into her eyes. «It’s fine. I understand. We all do. We’re just worried that you’re not telling us something that’s going on with you. We’re afraid, Serena. I’m afraid you’re going to run off again. I don’t want that.»

«I ran, because I felt I was of no use on board the ship.» the woman shook her head. «What good would I have done? I’d be a liability.»

«Never.» the man took a deep breath. «You are our Captain, Serena. Even if you aren’t fit enough to lead us, you have us to help you lead our crew to our aim.»

Serena lowered her gaze and suddenly pressed herself to him again:

«Thank you, Lindon. For everything that you’re doing.»

He caressed her hair:

«I’m happy to be there for you. I told you more than enough times that I will gladly help you any way I can. At any moment. For whatever reason…»

«Yet you disapprove me releasing Hunter…»

Lindon gritted his teeth:

«He tried to kill you, Serena. Twice.»

«Please, don’t.» the woman shook her head.

«I’ll tolerate him if you want it, Serena. But I don’t have to approve him being free… or coming with us.» Lindon leaned back and grasped her shoulders. «I will support you in every decision. But know one thing… if he raises his hand to strike you again, he will lose his limbs.»

Serena took a deep breath and didn’t answer, realising that whatever she could say — he won’t go back on his promise. For a few moments she looked into his eyes, seeing him ready to kill the man they just got back. And though she understood his mistrust towards Hunter — she too felt it. She wished things would be easier.

«You came to see me…» Serena said, trying to get her thoughts together. «Because Cipher is here?»

Lindon nodded:

«I wanted to tell you they’ve arrived, yes. But I also wanted to make sure you’re alright.»

«I’m not.» Serena shook her head, admitting how badly she really felt. «But I won’t stay behind. I need to get that bitch… she’s caused enough pain.»

Lindon cupped her cheek and gently caressed her face:

«And we will help you, Serena. Just don’t shut us out. I’m begging you…»

«You shouldn’t say things like that, Lindon. Veluthians never beg.»

«I don’t care what other Veluthians do or say. I am… begging you. Don’t shut us out. Please.»

Serena embraced him again, feeling grateful for him being there for her when she wasn’t really open to talk with anyone at all.

«I’m ready to kneel before you… just to know you won’t disappear again.» Lindon whispered.

The woman stayed silent, feeling him press her to his chest closer.

Chapter 12. Steps

Serena glanced at Hunter who stood in the far corner of the cargo bay, with Wolfin telling the cyborg something. Hunter stood tense, his head hung and his eyes fixated to the floor.

The woman felt nervous having him there, and the thought of him being brought with them made her shiver.

«Are you sure?» Lindon touched her shoulder.

Serena flinched, looked at him and took a moment to reply:

«I’m not even sure if I should go at all…»

«I’ll be by your side, don’t worry.» he squeezed her shoulder gently, offering a bit of comfort for the woman.

She didn’t reply, still thinking if it was a good idea for her to be going out — and with Hunter being there at all. She glanced at the cyborg, feeling the ice-cold fingers of terror crawling into her heart again.

Looking away, she headed out.

Their plan was simple — follow Falana to find her new hideout and see what other things she was up to lately. They knew that she hired men for protection, but Serena couldn’t shake off the feeling that there was something else happening — as if Falana was planning on facing her in the near future and that’s why she now had more manpower to do so.

Perhaps, each of their encounters left Falana feeling threatened by the sole heir of Thara-Lyss family.

Serena fell into thought, realizing that if she wanted to — Falana would have challenged her to a duel. But why she hadn’t done that yet was not clear. Maybe it was because Falana feared her. Or, maybe, she thought she could get rid of Serena by other means.

Whatever the case, this manhunt was becoming something other than just search for justice.

At least, for Serena it was now something more.

She wanted to have her revenge against the woman who essentially destroyed the person Serena loved. For the way it made her feel Serena wanted to have her payback. And she wasn’t sure if anyone will be able to stop her.

Walking through the streets of Kanartha Serena felt paranoid, seeing in every person, who gazed her way someone who was working for Falana. It was hard for her to push down this unreasonable suspicion, and if it wasn’t for her men walking beside her, she would have darted off to grab the first person that threw a gaze her way — just to question about Falana and where the woman might be.

«Relax, Scorpi.» Wolfin said quietly. «We’re supposed to be inconspicuous.»

If it weren’t for their earpieces, she would have never had heard him.

«Fuck off, Woofy.» Serena growled under her breath. «Angry people have a right to be walking around.»

She felt Lindon catching her wrist to calm her down, but jerked it out of his grasp.

«You too, Lindon. Fuck off.» she hissed at the Veluthian.

The two men exchanged glances, and Lindon saw Wolfin gritting his teeth. It was obvious that Serena wasn’t at her best at the moment, which could make their job harder.

Stepping on the hard asphalt, Serena watched her surroundings like a hawk, concentrated to find one single face in the crowd of people — locals and visitors — that were going about their day. Suddenly she noticed a flicker of golden blond hair and stopped her eyes, focusing on the person. She saw a woman purchasing something, surrounded by five men.

Serena suddenly saw the woman turning and the sight of her face made the Veluthian grit her teeth immediately.

She was looking at her most hated target.

Falana.

Serena forgot all about caution, jolting forward and pushing aside her men.

«Shit!» Cipher cursed, darting after her.

Hunter rushed past, being much faster than Terrans or even Lindon, who jumped to catch the woman as soon as she ran off.

Serena wasn’t thinking at all — not about safety or their plan. She saw Falana and felt her heart filling with the same rage she felt when destroying the planet where Hunter was lost to her in the maw of a chimera created by the Veluthian criminal.

Running at her fastest, Serena bared her teeth, knowing that if she ever gets her hands on Falana — the woman will be torn to shreds before anyone would be able to get her away from her.

Someone jumped to catch Serena and she slammed into the man, tumbling with him on the hard ground. She landed a single hit to his throat and jumped up to her feet, ready to continue her pursuit. In that moment a shot sounded and Serena suddenly saw Hunter jumping towards her. Her rage immediately dissipated, and she froze in a jolt of terror and panic. The cyborg suddenly embraced her and a couple of bullets hit his metal back, not leaving a single dent.

He slowly released her and met her terrified gaze, stepping back. Another bullet hit his shoulder and he glanced back, seeing the shooter. Immediately turning, he ran to the guy, while he was frantically reloading, and jumped onto him, slamming his metal fist into his head so hard that the skull exploded in a splash of red and grey.

Hunter looked up, but there was no sign of Falana and her men anymore. Wolfin and Lindon, though they have taken care of the few other shooters, were now trying to find at least one track left on the hard asphalt below their feet.

Serena stayed standing, still frozen in shock after coming face to face with Hunter, and her thoughts were scrambled. It took her some time to push down the fear she felt and shake off the remnants of her rage that made her act so irrational.

«We lost her.» Wolfin returned to the woman with an angry expression.

Before she could even realise what she had done, her mentor grabbed her by the arm and dragged her back to the ship to get away from prying eyes that might have been left there by Falana to watch over their crew.

Serena walked, understanding how badly things turned out — only because of her — and kept silent.

When Wolfin dragged her into the cargo bay and rudely pushed her further in, she almost tripped. She turned to him, seeing his eyes flashing with anger.

Wolfin gritted his teeth and approached Serena, furious at her.

«We were supposed to follow her to her hideout to eradicate her!» he screamed.

Serena felt her teeth gritting:

«I’m sorry…» she knew she was at fault, falling prey to the rage that caught her in its grasp when she saw Falana’s face.

Her mentor slapped her so hard that she fell to the floor.

Hunter flinched and heard Lindon raising the gun to his head. The cyborg glanced to the Veluthian and stepped back.

«You’re supposed to be calm and collected, Serena!» Wolfin growled. «You should keep your head cool!»

Hunter saw Serena slowly sit up, looking at the floor and grasping at her jaw.

«I’m…» her voice failed her.

«Damn it, Serena! I raised you better than that!» Wolfin scowled and turned on his heels, leaving. «Get your head together!»

Hunter wanted to step forward to help the woman up, but glanced to Lindon, who slowly lowered his gun, frowning at the cyborg. The Veluthian nodded aside, and Hunter sighed, walking off and leaving him alone with Serena.

Lindon made sure the cyborg left before he holstered his gun and kneeled to Serena.

«I’m sorry…» the woman exhaled shakily, a stray tear running down her cheek.

The man offered her his hand and she raised her eyes to him.

«I know what you were thinking.» Lindon said, helping her up to her feet.

«I wasn’t.» Serena shook her head, feeling guilty for letting Falana get away.

The Veluthian sighed and embraced her, caressing her hair:

«We’ll get her.» he kissed her temple.

Even though they let her slip away again, they at least got a couple of her men — that made Lindon feel a bit better. But the way Serena jolted off while they weren’t supposed to engage felt like all that the woman could think about was getting Falana in her grasp.

«I’m sorry.» Serena apologized again, leaning back.

Lindon hesitantly freed her from his embrace and saw how pained her eyes were.

«Its fine.» he said, caressing her face. «Wolfin will calm down.»

Serena shook her head and looked away:

«I fucked up. I have to…» she gritted her teeth, pushing down a wave of tears that almost burst from her eyes. «I have to go, Lindon. I have a lot to think about.»

She didn’t even give him a moment to respond, walking off and leaving him there all on his own. Feeling nervous for the woman being so distraught, Lindon sighed, deciding on giving her some time to get her thoughts together.

He still had a few words he would like to say to Wolfin, who hit Serena for what she had done. Heading towards the bridge, Lindon tried his best to find the right words for the past mentor he held in high regard.

Serena, on the other hand, visited the medical bay, grabbing a couple of sedative capsules to keep herself calmer next time, and headed back to her quarters.

In the corridor she suddenly saw Hunter walking slowly towards the engineering bay and pressed herself to the wall, still feeling the shudder of shock and fear washing over. The cyborg saw this and looked away, stepping closer to the opposite wall and hurried past, so that his proximity won’t be too stressful for the woman.

«Hunter, stop…» he heard her say, her frail and shaky voice sounding behind him when they passed each other.

He froze, too afraid to make a move, and wished only for one thing — to hear her approaching. But a few long moments passed, and he heard no movement from her.

«I know I’m hard to look at.» the man said, slouching. «I know I’m a… monster.»

«Thank you.» he heard her say, making him straighten up a little in shock. «For saving me back there.»

He felt his heart beating faster and slowly turned to look at her, but saw her pulling herself away from the wall and hurrying away, almost stumbling, as if she wanted to make a run for it.

Hunter turned back to where he was heading, and took a very deep breath. Even such a small step from her was enough for the time being.

Walking into Laneth’s domain, he wondered if things will ever be the same between him and Serena.

Chapter 13. Oath

Laneth glanced up and noticed Hunter walking in — head hung and his eyes filled with the same sadness that she saw every time she looked at him lately.

«You’re back so quick…» she said.

The cyborg walked past her and Kayla, who was sitting on the table with something in her hands, and approached the corner he made his quarters. Sitting down onto the simple sleeping roll he had, he remained silent.

Kayla and Laneth exchanged glances and set aside whatever they were doing. Approaching Hunter, they saw him gritting his teeth.

«What happened?» Kayla kneeled down next to the man, catching his gaze.

«We failed.» he replied, squeezing his fists. «Serena… she…»

Laneth kneeled as well, frowning:

«What?»

«She saw Falana and ran off. We had to chase her down.» Hunter shook his head. «Falana escaped, but left a couple of thugs behind.»

«And…?»

«I’m faster than others. I caught up with Serena as one of those men shot at her.» Hunter sighed. «I shielded her from the bullets, but…»

Kayla saw him grimace and reached out, touching his metal hand with her palm:

«But what?»

Hunter leaned back, looking up, but it didn’t help his eyes from tearing up:

«When Serena saw me in front of her, she… was terrified of me.» he closed his eyes. «I can’t help but think she will never see me as something else than… this…»

He hit himself in the metal plating on his chest, making Kayla flinch.

The girl stood up and stepped closer, landing a slap to his head:

«You idiot!» she said. «Things like this take time!»

Laneth took a very deep breath, before saying:

«She’s right. You might have terrified her, but I don’t think she didn’t notice that you saved her from the shots…»

«She noticed. But it doesn’t change the fact that she fears me.»

A heavy silence hung between them for a few long moments.

«Might I make a suggestion, Hunter?» Lyssa said suddenly.

«I’m out of ideas, so go ahead.» Hunter sighed, grabbing a bottle of alcohol that stood by his bed and having a large sip.

«Veluthians value oaths. If you think you can offer Serena an oath you can keep… she might be open to the possibility of accepting it. This could help her feel safer around you.»

Hunter looked at Laneth, then glanced at Kayla and thought, that, perhaps, the ships AI was right.

«I think Serena would listen…» the girl said. «Only… maybe you should choose your words carefully?»

«And what would you advise me to say?» Hunter asked Kayla.

The girl fell deep in thought for a few moments and then tilted her head:

«Maybe… start with admitting how badly you hurt her? And that you don’t wish to do that ever again?»

«I mean… it’s a good start.» Laneth shrugged. «Let me get my information tablet and let’s put our heads together… maybe we can come up with something that would be good enough to present to our Captain?»

Hunter sighed, forcing out a short nod, accepting their help.

He didn’t know if this idea would even work, but he was already becoming even more desperate than before. He was accepting the harsh reality of being the crew’s exile for the rest of his life, and questioning if he should even stay on board, if there wasn’t anything he could really do to motivate Serena to even look him in the eyes.

Serena, on the other hand, wasn’t only stressed out by the matter of Hunter being a cyborg and making her feel terrified every time he was near, but also by the fact that she no longer felt in control of her own rage. The rookie mistake that she made during their investigation on Kanartha wasn’t something she did for a very long time.

Feeling guilty for making Falana escape their grasp again, she was glad to find out that Falana hired not only some men, but also a pirate crew on their space ship — this meant MSS Lyssandra could fall on their trail and follow the pirates to see if they would reconvene with Falana.

Wolfin was still angry at the woman, and she couldn’t help but wish to make it up to him, although she didn’t know how — when she was a kid it was easier, but now as an adult she knew that he was harder on her only because he cared about getting Falana — just as she did, if not greater, since Falana had wronged Serena so much.

«I am sorry, Wolfin.» Serena lowered her gaze, when she approached her mentor. «You’re right. I shouldn’t have allowed my rage take over.»

«You knew all this ever since childhood. Why did you forget the basics now?» Wolfin growled, crossing his arms on his chest.

Serena felt herself slouching:

«I’m… I’m sorry.» her eyes filled with tears. «I didn’t think… I just…»

She fell silent, fighting with the tears that were about to burst through in full force. Wolfin watched her standing there and realised that he was a little too harsh on her — after all, the woman suffered greatly at the hands of Falana. With a heavy sigh, Wolfin stepped up and embraced Serena.

«I know you’re better than that, Scorpi.» he said to her. «Don’t allow Falana get under your skin. I don’t want her using this against you. Do you understand me?»

Serena forced herself to nod, incapable of replying in words.

Wolfin glanced at Lindon:

«How about a drink? Lyssa can take over for a bit, and we really need to take a breather and discuss how not to make the same mistake…»

«If I will find any traces of Falana’s space ship, I will let you know at once.» Lyssa said.

Lindon stood up from his place and silently headed out.

Serena felt Wolfin grabbing her shoulders and leaning back, and forced herself to look up at him, seeing his features softer than a minute ago.

«A drink… a scolding I deserve…» Serena whispered to her mentor, wiping the few stray tears from her face. «An advice…»

The man nodded to her, pushing her towards the exit without a single word. Almost the whole way to the dining area they remained silent, but when they approached the table, where Lindon already sat with a couple of bottles and glasses, Serena froze by one of the chairs, as if hesitating to sit down.

«Wolfin?» she asked her mentor. «Were you as unreasonable with the one who killed your family?»

The man pressed his lips together and sat down, averting his eyes, so that neither his ward, nor Lindon see how much her words struck a chord.

«I wasn’t, Scorpi.» Wolfin replied a few long moments later. «Because I never found their killer.»

«But…» Serena flinched, suddenly remembering something. «You didn’t go after him?»

«I did. I found one of his mates after I ran from Velutha.» Wolfin grimaced. «He said he was on Tornir. But I searched the whole planet. He wasn’t there.»

The woman slowly sat down, feeling a strange nervousness taking over her:

«Tornir… people often mistake it for…» she glanced at Wolfin. «Thorna Dirr.»

The Veluthian frowned and met her gaze:

«I was misled?»

«Probably.» Serena noticed Lindon pouring her a drink and moving the glass closer to her. «Summers always bragged about the fact that few people actually discern the two places, even though they’re located far from each other.»

She fell into thought and realised why the face she saw in Wolfin’s memories long ago seemed to make her uncomfortable. She knew the man.

«Scorpi…» Wolfin’s voice sounded tense and wary. «What are you not telling?»

«I think… I…» Serena looked away. «I remembered the man from your memory extraction. Last time I couldn’t place my finger on it, but… I think I’ve seen him.»

Wolfin slowly placed the glass back on the table, even though he just picked it up to take a sip of alcohol:

«Where?» he asked quietly.

«Summers used a contact on Thorna Dirr. I never met the man face to face, but I remember watching them meet on the screens. He looks just like the man that left your apartment after your family was killed.» the woman sighed. «I could take you there.»

Wolfin looked down, thinking over her proposition.

Serena suddenly heard the hard footsteps she learned to recognise as Hunter’s and tensed up. However hard she tried, the cyborg still made her shudder every time she saw him. The woman turned to the entrance of the dining area and saw him walking in — his eyes affixed to the floor, and his posture collected.

He walked up, making her instinctively lean away, and kneeled, still looking at the floor.

«Captain Serena Dal Thara-Lyss.» he said. «I know how much I have wronged you. I know how much fear I installed in your heart towards me for the things that I’ve done. But I give you my word that I did so unwillingly. Veluthians hold high regard for oaths and promises. So I wish to give you an oath of honour. I give you my word that I will never cause harm to you willingly and knowingly. I will do everything in my power to protect you and love you until my dying breath.»

A heavy silence hung in the air, but Hunter didn’t move or say anything else, waiting patiently for any sort of reply. He was ready to receive nothing, and was willing to stay there — kneeling — until Serena and the others would walk away. He knew how hard it would be for the woman and didn’t expect for her to be open to such an oath, however genuine and true it was to him.

He closed his eyes — not to let tears appear — and waited, until he heard Serena move ever so slightly.

«I accept your oath.» her voice sounded extremely faint and shaken. «Now, go…»

He slowly stood, too afraid to look at her, and when he opened his eyes, he saw her hand reaching out — cautiously and trembling. A moment passed and she pulled it away, unable to touch him.

«I will be loyal to you, Serena. In all matters.» Hunter said, taking a slow step back.

He then turned and walked away, feeling a crushing sensation in his chest.

Chapter 14. Despair

Hunter returned to his corner in the engineering bay and couldn’t hold back his tears, pressing his forehead to the wall in a pitiful attempt to stop crying. He did what he wanted, and yet the result hit him harder than he thought it would. Though, he did receive a reply from Serena, the way she recoiled from him and couldn’t even touch him was way too much for him to bear.

«So…» Laneth cautiously approached the man. «How did it go? By your looks, not so well?»

The man took a bit of time to calm his breath and shove down the tears before slowly turning to the mechanic:

«She accepted my oath.»

Laneth brightened with a wide smile:

«That’s great news!» she watched his pained face and her smile faded. «Wait… so why are you crying then?»

«She reached out, but couldn’t make herself touch me.» Hunter shook his head, closing his face with the cold metal palm.

«Hey, hey, look at me.» Laneth stepped up and grabbed his wrist, pulling it down, which was an impossible task to do.

He lowered his hand and met her gaze.

«She won’t even touch me… how can I ever even…» he looked away, falling silent.

«It’s a step, alright?» Laneth smiled. «Remember what I said? Baby steps. Don’t rush on. You’ve caused her trauma you have to fix. It takes time. The fact she accepted your oath means she’s making a step towards believing you again.»

«I don’t think I will ever bring her something other than fear.»

«Don’t say that! I mean… you do remember how fearless she is, right?»

Hunter shook his head again:

«Not this time, Laneth. This time it’s different. I understand how hard it hit her… me being the one who almost killed her. Twice! How can she ever see me other than the mindless piece of scrap that did that?»

Laneth sighed and tilted her head:

«You saved her, being this scrap, remember? And she thanked you for it. Doesn’t that account for something?»

They heard the door sliding open and turned to look who came to their part of the ship, only to see Lindon and Wolfin walking inside. Both men seemed unimpressed by Hunter’s stunt in the dining area, and for a moment Laneth thought that she would need to mitigate between the trio to de-escalate whatever was brewing.

However, as the two approached them, Lindon and Wolfin met Hunters gaze with a deep breath.

«The oath you gave… you really meant it?» Wolfin asked.

For the first time in days his voice didn’t sound harsh and uncompromising.

«With all my heart…» Hunter said truthfully.

«Then we will hold you true to your word.» Lindon grimaced. «But if you ever hurt Serena again, I will make sure to cut you into pieces and throw you into the nearest black hole.»

Hunter lowered his eyes, feeling guilt for having become the outcast of the whole crew, and suddenly saw Lindon extending him an arm for a handshake. Surprised, the man looked up at the Veluthian and saw his eyes filled with a dark promise to protect the woman he really loved.

Slowly and cautiously, Hunter answered this gesture, making sure his strong metal limbs didn’t injure Lindon. As they let go, Wolfin too offered his hand to the cyborg.

«Don’t forget the oath you’ve given.» Wolfin said. «Or we will go through with our threats.»

As they were about to turn and walk away, Hunter gathered the courage to ask something that was bothering him all the passing days:

«Lindon?»

«What?» the Veluthian seemed to be still tense around him.

«I hope… I…» the man lost all his thoughts in a blink of an eye. «I hope you comfort her.»

«If only she would have come to me for comfort.» Lindon retorted. «No matter how badly I want to help her in any way I can, she locks herself up in her quarters to cry every night. According to Lyssa she barely sleeps at all. And that’s on you, you metal jerk. When we thought you died, she never asked me for comfort. And after you almost killed her she too… never came around. For better or worse, I think she still holds some semblance of love for you in her heart. But the fact that looking at you she sees the very same… cyborg who almost killed her…»

Hunter pressed his lips together, feeling even worse than before.

«Don’t expect her to open up quickly, is what he’s trying to say.» Wolfin said. «You’ve hurt her too much. If things like these can ever heal, it will take a lot of time and effort to do so.»

The two Veluthians turned and left, while Hunter slouched even harder, feeling the guilt weighing his shoulders down. As soon as the door closed behind Lindon and Wolfin, Laneth stepped up and pressed her palm against Hunter’s chest.

«Listen, I know this might be a bad time, but…» she sighed. «I think I have something I can do to help you be seen for the man that you were, and not a…»

«Metal jerk?» Hunter swallowed a heavy lump.

«In a manner of speaking. Though, to make sure this would work… I need to run some tests on you.» Laneth caught his eyes. «Do you think you would be willing to become my test subject for a bit?»

Hunter felt a strange memory surfacing at these words and frowned, looking away.

«Hunter?» Laneth called out, seeing him becoming distant.

«Do you think…» he exhaled. «Do you think you could… maybe try and see if there’s something in my memories? About the time when I was… a mindless piece of junk?»

«I mean… if the circuits in that head of yours are connected… I don’t see why not. Otherwise we’d have to ask Lyssa if we have access to a memory extraction in the medical pod.»

«I can authorise a memory extraction at any time.» the AI responded. «With your enhancements, you should be out of danger that is usual for humans in this procedure.»

«Thank you.» Hunter exhaled. «Both of you…»

Chapter 15. Progress

Even though they allowed SS Growler to fall back, so that the pirates won’t see them, Serena and her crew updated Cipher almost every day. But, however long the trip was taking, they still hadn’t found a single trace of Falana’s ship.

Keeping herself busy, Serena took Wolfin’s advice on taking up meditation again — something she hadn’t done in a long time. This allowed her to gradually grow calmer and less reliant on the sedatives she took to keep her nerves in check.

Lindon was glad seeing her shed the anxious demeanour and become more and more collected. He missed this side of her, and even joined her from time to time, making sure he wasn’t forcing his company on her.

But she seemed to be more open to having someone near, and this gave him hope that she was somewhat healing from all the trouble she went through.

Though, he still knew how hard it was for her to face Hunter. Perhaps, she no longer tensed up as strongly as before, but she still kept her distance from the cyborg. And Hunter tried hard not to appear before her eyes without reason, and this allowed Lindon to hope he was doing so for Serena’s sake, and not his own.

While keeping themselves on the pirate’s tail, Serena kept asking for Lindon to take command of the ship, as she couldn’t trust her own reasoning for the time being. The Veluthian agreed, but noted that she still was the Captain of MSS Lyssandra, which meant that he would check with her every time they needed to make a decision anyway.

Having no problem with that, Serena spent most of the time either in the training bay or her quarters — either meditating, or training to keep herself as busy as she could. She also got to the schematics Laneth wanted for her to see for a long time. Mostly, though, Serena caught Laneth when she would come to the dining area to discuss the many different projects the mechanic had.

However, this day Serena decided to finally visit Laneth in the engineering bay to discuss something. Walking through the ship with an information tablet in her hands and looking at some of the most promising designs Laneth sent her, Serena wasn’t really thinking about anything, except the things her mechanic wanted to make.

Serena walked into the engineering bay, looking up, and almost dropped the information tablet, freezing mid-step and seeing Hunter. He was sitting in a metal seat, strapped up by his arms and legs, while Laneth was working on him, doing something with the circuits in his neck.

The cyborg, noticing Serena standing by the doors, immediately noticed the fear-filled eyes Serena couldn’t take off him.

«Laneth…» Hunter’s voice sounded quiet and awkward.

The woman mechanic glanced at the door and straightened, stopping whatever she was doing.

«Serena! So good to see you!» she welcomed the Captain to her domain.

Serena’s hands visibly trembled, and Hunter looked down, understanding he was the reason for that. For a few long moments a heavy silence fell upon the bay, but then Serena took a careful step forward, clasping the tablet onto her belt.

«Is he secure?» the Captain asked, trying to sound confident, but Hunter heard her voice shaking.

«Yes…» Laneth stepped closer and nodded. «He’s quite secure.»

Hunter heard footsteps approaching and when he looked up, he saw Serena stepping up and punching him in the face. However hard this punch was, he barely felt it, as he understood how much he really deserved it. Feeling the irony taste of blood in his mouth, he looked at her again, and received another punch.

Laneth caught Serena and pushed the woman a couple of steps back, embracing her. Hunter saw Serena crying, gasping for air, and her fist still squeezed tight, her knuckles damaged from the hit against his more durable body.

«Let her hit me.» Hunter pushed out of himself. «I deserve it.»

Laneth leaned back, trying to catch Serena’s gaze, but the woman’s eyes were pinned to the cyborg.

«I mourned you…» Serena growled. «I cried over you… and you… you…»

«It wasn’t him, Serena.» Laneth grasped at her Captain’s shoulders. «He was controlled by Falana. Look at him! Does that look like a face of a man who is willing to hurt you? Look at him!»

Hunter saw Serena breaking down into tears, and felt his heart aching, seeing her so hurt.

«Look into his eyes and see the guilt he feels.» Laneth saw a faint glimpse of something else than fear and hatred in Serena’s eyes. «Look at him. He’s the same man, who loved you. The one you loved. He’s just been subjected to some inhuman transformation, leaving him stranded and incapable of knowing what he was doing. Now he’s here… and he’s the same man I knew before. The same one you loved. Please don’t be so hard on him.»

«He almost killed me.» Serena hissed.

«He would never do that willingly and you know that. He was under Falana’s control. I’m trying to find out what she made him do while he was with her.»

Serena wanted to say something else, but saw Hunter’s eyes filling with tears and a stray drop sliding down his cheek. Closing her mouth, Serena freed herself from Laneth’s embrace and stepped back.

«I’ll talk to you later…» she pushed out of herself.

Hunter saw her turn around and hurriedly walk away. Laneth watched her leave, and when the door closed, she glanced at the man with genuine sadness in her eyes.

«I’m sorry.» she whispered.

«Don’t be…» Hunter shook his head. «She has a right to feel angry and betrayed. And I deserve all the punches she can give me.»

Laneth sighed heavily and walked over to the handheld scanner, so that she could take a look at his systems once again. A few moments later she lowered the device and sighed heavily, glancing at Hunter.

«I bet her punch was more hurtful to her than you… the replacements they gave you are metal, so…» Laneth said.

«Great. So I’ve hurt her again.» Hunter gritted his teeth.

«Unknowingly and unwillingly.» Laneth leaned in and touched his face, looking at the damage Serena dealt to his skin. «Do you feel anything at all?»

«If you’re asking about pain, yes, I feel it. Though, I’d rather feel it a thousand fold, just to not see Serena feeling all that…»

«What about warmth? Touch? Did they cut those, or do you still feel them?»

«I feel them.»

Laneth smiled:

«Good! That means you’re still a man under all this… uh… metal. And since your face can still feel, that means whatever they left under this…» she tapped his chest plate. «Feels too.»

«And how is that of any help?»

Laneth smiled wider:

«Well, don’t you get what happened just now?»

«She was furious to see me here.»

«No, silly!» Laneth chuckled. «Not only did she approach you on her own, she actually touched you. Even if that was a couple of punches, but still… I’d consider that progress.»

Hunter looked away, seeing the reasoning of the woman.

«Now…» Laneth grasped her chin in thought. «If I am going to help you with what I had in mind… you’ll have to trust me a little, alright?»

«You can do whatever you see fit, Laneth.» Hunter replied, looking aside.

«No, no, no!» the mechanic leaned in and caught his gaze. «I really mean it. You have to trust me. Because my prototype is ready, and I’d like to test it out… Since you say you feel touch and pain, I can, technically, input some sensors and connect them to those circuits of yours to allow you regain feeling in your lost limbs. Though, I’m not sure if putting pain sensors will be a good idea… We’ll have to discuss that.»

Hunter looked at his hands and then raised his eyes back at Laneth’s face:

«You want to…» he couldn’t force himself to finish the phrase.

«I am going to make you not only look like the man that you were, but also help you feel like it.» Laneth chuckled. «Now that’s another progress we can be happy about, wouldn’t you say so?»

«And… what do you require to do now?»

«Right now… I need you to stay still, because I was in the middle of connecting the artificial skin enhancement to the armour Falana incorporated into your systems. If you give me a bit of time, I’ll say when you can try it out and we’ll see how it works on your body, alright?»

Hunter threw a glance to the door, where Serena disappeared before, and nodded:

«Take as long as you need.»

Chapter 16. If…

Hunter looked at his hands and wondered if this would even work. Laneth took two days to work out a couple of bits and pieces before they could make the artificial skin start to look perfectly human. He glanced at his chest, covered by a tank top and couldn’t help but think that he looked quite human. To someone else’s eye he was completely human — Kayla said that herself when she saw him covering his cybernetic limbs with artificial skin.

The man was grateful for the girl being there and supporting him in this ordeal. If it wasn’t for Laneth and the child who could easily be called her adoptive daughter, Hunter might have already gone mad with desperation and self-loathing that he felt whenever he thought about Serena and the way she looked at him after he was changed.

He didn’t know what would happen if this would work though.

In a sudden panic he stepped back, losing his resolve to go and seek out Serena.

«What are you doing?» Kayla slapped his thigh. «Are you scared to go now? After all we’ve done for you?!»

Hunter took a shaky breath, before looking down at the girl:

«I… I’m not sure…»

«Look here, you big silly goose!» Kayla frowned, leaning with her hands at her waist. «Don’t be a coward! All of this is just some help.»

She waved at his new artificial skin.

«But…» Hunter raised his eyes to Laneth and saw her smiling.

«No buts, mister!» Kayla continued her tirade. «We need to make another test! And if you can’t go through with it, why did we even bother doing all this for you?»

«She has a point, Hunter.» Laneth shrugged, biting down on the tip of her nail. «It may not be perfect yet, and the sensors are still in progress, but… we need to know if this will help. And for that…»

She nodded to the door.

«For that you need to get your ass out there and see how Serena will react!» Kayla said.

«But what if…» Hunter fell silent, seeing Kayla raise her eyebrow. «Fine…»

He sighed and walked out, still hesitating about being seen by Serena at all.

«Captain Serena is on her way to the dining area.» Lyssa reported quietly. «So if you wish to see her, you can.»

«Thanks, Lyssa…» Hunter took a deep breath, trying to shake off the dreaded feeling of guilt and fear.

He feared to encounter Serena — after all that he’s seen from her, he doubted that some artificial skin will help him make her see him, and not the metal killing machine that almost murdered her in cold blood.

Heading through the corridors, he wished he wouldn’t see Serena at all — just to avoid seeing her freezing in terror again.

So when he suddenly saw her walking towards him, he was almost ready to turn away and retreat somewhere, just not to be face to face with the woman. But, instead, he forced himself to stop and wait for her to acknowledge him being there.

It took her a bit to notice him standing there, but when she raised her eyes, something surprising happened. She froze immediately, but Hunter watched Serena’s eyes wander on his body, and for the first time he saw something other than fear. She looked at him differently — shocked, without a doubt, but no longer terrified to see his metal body and intimidating look.

He didn’t move, when she took a cautious step toward him, reaching out, her hand trembling. This time, however, she touched him — her palm pressing against his chest. Hunter saw her eyes tearing up, but it wasn’t like before, and a warm feeling crept into his heart, as he realised she was looking at him with recognition.

Not hatred, distrust or terror. Recognition.

When she took another step closer, he carefully raised his hand, very gently caressing her cheek. She didn’t recoil, didn’t tense up, and in a sudden urge Hunter jolted forward, catching her lips in a desperate kiss, gently embracing her.

For a couple of happy moments he felt her answering his affection, until, suddenly, she tensed up and pushed him away, closing her mouth with her hand and breaking in tears. Hunter felt his hope dissipating, seeing her caught in the very same panic and fear, and stepped back, trying not to let his tears flow.

«I’m sorry…» Serena whispered, avoiding looking at him. «I’m sorry…»

As she darted away, Hunter could only hope she would hear his reply:

«Don’t be…»

He didn’t know if this would be the last kiss he would ever get from her, but the feeling of her warm lips on his brought back the happy memories of them being together before all this happened. The man looked at his hands, seeing the artificial skin they were now covered with, and thought how much has changed between them. And all because of the fact that he was supposed to die when they last encountered Falana. If it weren’t for his stubborn nature, Serena would have never experienced him trying to kill her because the Veluthian scientist decided to change him into a complete cyborg.

If he would have just died…

Hunter felt his heart aching — however modified his body was, he still remained part human, and all the emotions and pain rushed over him just like it would have if he’d still be one.

He turned around and headed back to the engineering bay, feeling desperation washing over him once again.

When Laneth saw him returning, she immediately walked up, forcing him to stop, even though he couldn’t raise his eyes to her face.

«What happened?» Kayla asked, seeing Hunter’s eyes filled with tears.

The man took a few moments to reply:

«She saw me.» he said. «She walked up, and…»

Laneth watched his face becoming filled with aching and sadness:

«Tell us, Hunter. What happened?»

«She touched me. And I couldn’t help it. I… I kissed her.» the man looked up finally and felt himself being on the brim of tearing up.

«You kissed?» Kayla shined a wide smile. «But that’s great news!»

«It’s not that…» Hunter shook his head.

«If it will be easier, I can show you what happened.» the ship’s AI said.

«Yes, Lyssa. Show us.» Laneth glanced towards one of her working screens.

The AI loaded up the surveillance feed from the moment when Hunter and Serena saw each other. Kayla walked up closer, seeing how their Captain approached the cyborg on her own, and not showing any traces of fear or anger towards the man. When she touched him, it seemed like she was almost happy to see him.

As Hunter kissed her, Laneth tilted her head, noting how — for a few long moments — Serena didn’t flinch or tense up, answering to this sign of affection. The mechanic saw the second, when the woman tensed up and pushed Hunter away, closing her lips, and the first thought Laneth had about that was the fact that she could have just remembered who stood before her. A cyborg.

With a frown, Laneth looked back at Hunter and took a very deep breath.

At that moment the door slid open and Hunter turned around, hoping to see Serena walking in. But instead he saw Lindon running in, with his face contorted in fury.

«What the fuck did you do, you metal jerk?» the Veluthian punched the man as soon as he got close enough.

Before Hunter could even reply, Lindon punched him again, and then another time, enraged at the cyborg.

«I kissed her!» Hunter screamed, trying to step back and receiving another punch to his face.

Laneth managed to catch Lindon’s arm and tried hard to hang onto it, feeling the man freezing in surprise and confusion. The Veluthian watched Hunter’s face for a few long minutes, before slowly lowering his fist down. Laneth sighed with relief, seeing him calming down.

«You… kissed?» Lindon asked, his face still showing remnants of hatred.

«I kissed her.» Hunter nodded, wiping blood off his mouth.

«He didn’t hurt her, Lindon. I saw the video Lyssa showed me.» Laneth said, seeing the Veluthian throw her a short glance. «They kissed. That’s all.»

Lindon looked away, taking a step back. For a couple of long moments he remained silent, becoming calmer and more rational. He ruffled his hair and looked at Hunter again.

«I’m sorry.» he said. «I saw her crying again and I thought…»

«It’s fine.» Hunter sighed heavily. «Considering what I’ve done to her before… it was only logical you thought I hurt her, when you saw her crying again.»

The Veluthian shook his head and turned to walk away, but stopped by the door, as if he wanted to say something.

«Lindon…» Hunter called out, feeling guilty and sad about what he was about to ask the man.

«What is it?» Lindon replied, not even looking back at him.

«I know… she needs human warmth right now. Some comfort… An embrace.» Hunter swallowed a heavy lump in his throat. «She will appreciate it if you comfort her. I know she will…»

This time Lindon glanced back and saw Hunter looking at the floor, shedding silent tears. The Veluthian walked out without saying another word.

Laneth and Kayla exchanged glances, but remained silent.

Chapter 17. Contact

Lindon hesitantly approached the door to Captains Quarters. He knew that Hunter was right and Serena really needed someone to comfort her. But he still thought that she would push him away, though he wanted to help her and calm her — even if it was just by being next to her. The little bits and pieces of her answering to his affection in the past few days seemed to be something she wouldn’t really appreciate at the moment.

He was about to turn and head back to his personal quarters, when the door slid open and Serena jumped at him, pressing herself to his chest and embracing the man, though, still silently crying. Lindon sighed, answering to her embrace, and caressed her hair, feeling the woman being in desperate need of company. She made the first move to come to him, and he was happy to oblige, even if it would be just an embrace.

A little time passed, before Serena looked up at him and he gave her a faint smile, wiping the remnants of her tears from her cheeks. The woman suddenly reached up and kissed him, but all Lindon could think about is that he didn’t want to use her distraught state, even though he badly wanted her.

«Serena…» he gasped, when she leaned back for a second.

«Shut up…» she kissed him once again. «Or just leave… and don’t come back…»

This time he didn’t fight it, experiencing the warmth of her arms around him and the way she pressed her body against his even harder. The maddening love he felt for her made him dizzy and he stepped towards her quarters. She didn’t stop him, pulling him inside instead.

Lindon knew she might regret it, but he hoped she wouldn’t. Because he would never regret being with her.

He barely slept that night — and this time it was not because he was worried for Serena, but because they couldn’t get enough of each other. However genuinely she answered to his love, the man still felt that she was so desperate to have him again and again only because she was deprived of the much needed warmth and love for so long. Somehow he knew that it was supposed to be Hunter in his stead.

Lindon felt like he was a temporary fix to a problem much deeper than anyone thought — something, Serena was trying to cope with or fight with all this time all on her own. He didn’t have anything against helping, but the thought that he wasn’t at all the remedy she needed to get over all of this still scratched at the back of his head, not allowing him to drift away into sleep.

Up until Serena woke up, Lindon stayed by her side, embracing her and watching her sleeping.

The man greeted her with a gentle smile as soon as she opened her eyes, caressing her face.

«I hope you’re feeling better.» he said, almost believing his own words.

He saw Serena smile in reply, reaching to him to give the man a kiss. He didn’t pull back, feeling her lips on his and aching to hear her say he was enough to help her deal with whatever was weighing on her mind all these past days.

«I am.» she said quietly, as soon as she leaned back. «Thank you, Lindon. I needed that.»

«I’m always glad to help you with anything, Serena.» Lindon said, realising the sadness was creeping back into his heart. «All you have to do is ask.»

She smiled again and hesitantly stood up from the bed. The man watched Serena walk into the bathroom and sighed, seeing her seemingly collected and calm. He grabbed his pants and put them on, wondering if she was regretting what happened between them or not.

«Lindon…» Lyssa’s voice sounded very quietly. «There’s a visitor at the door and I am unsure if Serena would see him…»

The Veluthian sighed heavily and stood, heading to the entrance of the Captain’s Quarters. As the door slid open, he saw Hunter standing there. The cyborg saw Lindon, shirtless, and immediately understood why he was there.

«I wanted to apologise to Serena.» Hunter said, looking away. «For yesterday.»

Before Lindon could even answer, the cyborg stepped back and turned his back to him, heading off.

«Wait.» Lindon called out and saw him stop. «Let me call her.»

«Don’t.» Hunter shook his head. «Just… make her happy.»

He took another step forward, but a heavy palm lay on his shoulder, stopping him. Hunter slowly turned and saw Lindon looking at him with a very strange, somewhat conflicted expression.

«Stay here.» the Veluthian said. «And don’t you dare walk away. I can’t bear the sight of you two being like this. I was there for her last night, yes, but I couldn’t shake off the feeling I was just… not what she needed. Not who she needed. Stay here and don’t be a coward.»

Lindon disappeared in the Captain’s Quarters, leaving Hunter confused and frustrated at the thought that crossed his mind. It took a couple of minutes before Lindon walked up to the door again, pulling beside him Serena. The woman, clothed in her bathrobe, seemed quiet and tried her best not to raise her eyes at Hunter.

«Serena…» Hunter stepped closer and saw her grasping Lindon’s palm tighter. «I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have pushed yesterday. I shouldn’t have kissed you. I know… I messed up. I’m sorry.»

The woman swallowed hard and slowly raised her eyes, locking them with his. Hunter suddenly saw a whole ocean of aching that spilled to her gaze. Was that caused by him hurting her? Or was she feeling hurt because she wanted everything to be the way it was before?

«I’m sorry I pushed you away.» Serena said very quietly, her voice shaking a little. «I just…»

Hunter shook his head:

«I know that you look at me and see the face of a man who tried to kill you. I know. You had every right to push me away.»

«You still love me…» Serena looked away, as if trying to hide something that glimmered in her eyes.

«I do, Serena. And I will always love you.» Hunter sighed heavily. «Whether you will tolerate me on your ship and in your life or not…»

A very shaky deep breath flew off her lips and she stepped towards the man, releasing Lindon’s hand.

«You can stay on the ship. I just…» she said, stuttering. «I don’t think… I don’t think what happened can be forgotten easily. Give me time. Perhaps… if I can learn to trust you again, we can still be friends.»

«I’d love that, Serena.» Hunter saw Lindon nod to him.

He thought the conversation was over and he needed to go, but noticed how Serena slowly, cautiously raised her hand and extended it to him, offering it for a handshake. Her fingers trembled a little, but this tiny sign of trusting his metal body with her gentle hand was something that could mean her fighting through the terror he installed in her heart towards him. Hunter very gently took her palm, hoping the artificial skin gave enough warmth to calm the woman.

«Did Laneth download memories from the time you were with Falana?» Serena pulled her hand back, still not looking at him.

Hunter wondered if that was the discussion the women had last time they saw each other in the dining area.

«No. Not yet.» he shook his head. «Lyssa proposed to extract memories through other means. I was… hoping you would like to see those personally.»

The woman glanced to the side, as if thinking about Lindon behind her, and nodded:

«Notify me when you’ll be ready to do this. Just… ask Laneth to reinforce the bindings in the medical pod before you start. I wouldn’t want you breaking my ship in a jolt of pain.»

«She’s already working on it.»

«Good.» Serena took a few small steps back, searching with her palm for the comfort of Lindon’s hand.

The Veluthian reached out and caught her hand, gently squeezing it and feeling the woman slowly relaxing.

«Then I’ll see you later.» Serena threw a very quick, pained glance at Hunter and stepped inside her quarters, immediately retreating into its depths.

Lindon watched her returning to the bathroom and looked at Hunter:

«This… is a start.» he said. «Go. We’ll see you later.»

Hunter nodded:

«Thank you.»

«I am doing this for the friend that you were to me and for the woman I love.» Lindon remarked. «Don’t betray our trust.»

Chapter 18. Thoughts

As the pirate ship they’ve been following landed on some planet that was called Belladonna, the MSS Lyssandra chose a place to land to have the opportunity to get a glance at their targets closer. But, since it was too late and the pirates were resting, Serena and her crew left the drones watching their make-shift camp.

When the ship became still and silent — Wolfin and Lindon being on the bridge and everybody else either sleeping or busy with their own stuff, Serena quietly slipped away from Lyssa, asking her not to worry anyone and give her a bit of time to be with her thoughts. She needed the fresh air and the quiet walk in the night.

Stepping on the rocky surface of the planet, Serena was wondering if what she was doing was something that she needed. She didn’t regret sleeping with Lindon — having him there by her side was calming and she could finally have some sort of distraction and release of all the tension that gathered in her body ever since she lost Hunter to the chimera.

But the thought of Hunter being there — on board and reaching out was something that brought her stress just because she still couldn’t forget his face when he almost killed her.

Lost in her thoughts, Serena wasn’t really paying any attention to where she was going, wandering without any aim around the ship and trying to stay somewhat close, so that she won’t have to take a long hike back to it when she will feel like returning.

Passing some rocky formations, she barely even glanced their way, noting only the few tiny creatures that resided in the night, watching her closely with their beady eyes.

Suddenly Serena got swept off her feet and the next thing she felt was the immense impact of her body against something hard. Her consciousness almost slipped away, and she forced through the dizzying sensation to try and keep herself awake. It was then she felt that her neck was being squeezed tightly, not allowing her to take in a single breath.

A sudden jolt of adrenaline made her hit in front of her and she grasped at someone’s large, coarse arm. Kicking and panicking, Serena tried to free herself to take a breath, but whoever was in front of her wasn’t bothered by her hits and kicks. Through the darkness enveloping her sight she saw the grinning face of a Gruud — a strange alien race, which lived in extremely harsh environments and have evolved to have rock-hard skin.

She heard someone screaming and saw a metallic fist bursting into the face of the Gruud. The alien — seemingly unfazed by this blow — whipped his head aside and smiled wide, saying something. Serena couldn’t hear what he said — she was already loosing strength to fight and her consciousness started to fail her. To her it seemed like a whole lifetime passed, before she got jerked to the side and fell to the rocky ground, succumbing to the dark.

But she wasn’t exactly unconscious — her mind kept slipping out and under, making her see flashes of what was happening before her. Hunter — raging and beating the Gruud, overpowered the alien, eventually grasping his jaw and ripping it off, finishing the alien’s life.

She then saw him hurrying to her and cautiously rolling her to her back. His cold metallic palms helped her grasp at reality, swimming out of the maddening void that she was about to slip under once again. For a couple of long moments Serena could barely hear him talking to her, before she started to understand the words coming out of his mouth:

«…Please, please, Serena, stay with me…» Hunter whispered, checking her for injuries. «Don’t close your eyes, I’m begging you… stay with me…»

She reached out her hand and caught his face, making him freeze in shock.

«Hunter…» her voice sounded extremely coarse and pained.

The man felt her hand slipping down and saw her eyes rolling as she finally lost her consciousness.

«Shit!» he glanced aside and saw Wolfin and Lindon running towards them.

Picking her up, he darted towards the ship, where Lyssa could aid the woman best.

«The fuck happened?» Lindon stopped for a second, glancing at the dead Gruud, and started running next to Hunter, seeing Serena passed out in his arms.

«The fucking Gruud almost strangled her!» Hunter growled, jumping into MSS Lyssandra and hurrying into the medical bay.

As soon as the woman was placed into the medical pod and the scanner ascertained her condition, Lyssa reported:

«A minor concussion and bruising on her throat. Give her half an hour and she will be on her feet again.»

Hunter breathed out, sliding to his knees next to the pod, feeling relieved that Serena wasn’t very injured after encountering the Gruud.

«Who the fuck thought it was a good idea to let her go on her own?» he growled angrily.

«Wolfin and Lindon didn’t know she left to scout out the surroundings.» Lyssa said. «So they are not to blame for this.»

«And if I hadn’t decided to look around, our Captain would be dead, Lyssa!»

«I obey her orders. Don’t blame me for what she decided to do on her own. You might have gotten into the same situation yourself. Or should I have stopped you?»

Hunter glanced up at Serena, who flinched and began to regain consciousness. Jumping to his feet, he leaned over the pod, watching her open her eyes and look around.

«Serena?» he called her.

The woman took a few moments, before turning to look up at him.

«Hunter…» she rolled to her side and grimaced, trying to push herself up.

The man offered her his hand and she grabbed it, accepting his help. When she finally sat up, wincing at the faint aching in her back, she looked at his hand, still grasped in hers, and seemed to freeze for a couple of seconds. Hunter wanted to pull away, understanding how she might see this, but saw her grasp becoming tighter.

Lindon walked up, studying her face and she shook her head, as if gathering strength before stepping down to the floor. With Hunter’s aid she straightened up and took a deep breath:

«That hurt.» she rubbed her aching neck and then looked at Hunter. «Thank you. You came just in time.»

The man smiled awkwardly, feeling conflicted to see her touching him at all, even though the new artificial skin was taken off for the time being, as Laneth was working on it, making some adjustments.

«What were you thinking?!» Lindon frowned at the woman. «Going out there all alone?»

«I just wanted to get some fresh air, honestly. I didn’t think I’d be…» Serena winced again, feeling her throat aching just a bit harder. «…attacked by some rocky bastard.»

«Why didn’t you ask Lindon to accompany you?» Hunter asked, looking down at his fingers that were still held by the woman.

«I wanted… a bit of time alone.» she stepped towards the sink, finally releasing his hand, and leaned in to get a few sips of water.

The men saw her spitting out blood into the sink and exchanged glances. When she finally straightened again, wiping her mouth, she turned and looked at both of them with a strange expression.

«I’m sorry. I really wanted to be left alone with my thoughts… I…» she shook her head slowly.

«Is it because of last night?» Lindon asked, watching her attentively.

«Yes… and no…» Serena closed her eyes with her palm. «I don’t know… I’m…»

Hunter noticed a stray tear running down her cheek:

«Is it because of me?»

He saw her shake her head:

«I don’t know… I really can’t understand why I’m so…» she slipped down to the floor, grasping at her hair. «I’m sorry.»

Hunter and Lindon exchanged glances again and kneeled next to her, reaching out. They touched her shoulders from both sides and she leaned with the back of her head against the counter under the sink, avoiding looking at them and aiming her gaze at the ceiling. She lowered her hands down and shook her head again:

«What the fuck am I supposed to do?» she closed her eyes for a second. «How am I supposed to know what to do?»

She looked at the two men in front of her.

«What you’re going through right now is an impossible thing, Serena…» Lindon shrugged. «I don’t think many people anywhere would know what to do in a situation like this.»

«I’m not even sure if people would stay sane after something like this…» Wolfin’s voice sounded from the entrance and the three turned to look at him. «I mean… we all thought Hunter was dead… then he turned out to be alive… barely… changed into a half-machine that was taken over by Falana…»

Hunter looked down and suddenly felt Serena’s palm on his cheek. Raising his eyes, he met her sad gaze and forced down everything he wanted to say.

«And Lindon… a man, who fell for Serena long ago and wanted to make her his wife ever since. Can any of you blame Serena for not being able to comprehend what to do?» Wolfin sighed. «As a Veluthian, raised in a society where people could have many lovers, I would just suggest her to have you both. Yet I understand the fact that she would hesitate to do that.»

Lindon looked at Serena and felt her palm on his face, even though she was looking at Hunter.

«I am not going to push you, Serena.» Hunter slowly shook his head. «Never. I’m fine with you being with Lindon. He’s the best man for you.»

He wanted to pull back and get up, but Serena’s palm wrapped around his neck and pulled him closer. The woman looked at Lindon and did the same, pulling them both in for a hug. The men didn’t deny her this, carefully embracing her from two sides.

Hunter heard Serena’s nails scratching against his metal shoulder and felt a pinch of regret that he couldn’t offer her the warmth of a human body instead.

«Help me up, you jerks…» Serena exhaled a few moments later.

Lindon and Hunter leaned back and saw her trying to regain composure after a couple of stray tears running down her face. They helped her up and the woman pat them both on their chests, pushing past them.

Chapter 19. Exile

Serena sighed, looking at Cipher:

«You’re sure Falana is nowhere around?»

«I am sure, Serena. We checked all the villages and the main colony on Belladonna. Whatever the pirates are doing here, they seem to be alone.» the man replied with a slight tension in his voice. «I’ll be looking out, of course, but for the time being, I can’t tell you any good news, I’m sorry.»

«Keep us informed, Cipher. Thank you.» Serena nodded to the man.

When the screen went black, the woman closed her face with her hands, thinking what to do.

«Are you alright?» Lindon walked onto the bridge.

«No. We can’t find Falana.» Serena shook her head, lowering her hands. «And it’s all my fault. I shouldn’t have…»

She grimaced and squeezed her fists.

The Veluthian walked up and kneeled to her, tilting his head:

«Don’t do that, Serena.» he pleaded. «You’re blaming yourself, when in reality…»

«In reality I was the one who spooked the bitch!» Serena hissed angrily. «If it weren’t for my actions, none of this would have happened! And we would have already caught her!»

Lindon sighed heavily, seeing her eyes filled with aching and guilt, and couldn’t help but take her hand in his:

«Please, stop.» he asked her.

Serena took a very deep breath and tried hard to calm herself down. For a few minutes she grasped at his hand, feeling the warmth and gentle touch, until she could finally get her emotions under control again.

«If it’s anyone’s blame, it’s mine…» they heard Hunter say quietly.

They turned to the door and saw Hunter standing there, head hung and looking at the floor.

«If I wouldn’t have clung to life so hard, none of this would have happened.» he sighed, too afraid to look up.

Serena stood and walked up to him and when he looked up at her, she slapped him.

«Don’t you dare say that!» the Captain hissed angrily.

Hunter stood there, shocked to receive this blow, and looked at her with his eyes wide open. He saw her breaking down again, and her eyes filling with tears.

«Never say that.» Serena’s voice gave out and she turned her back to him, closing her face with her palm.

Lindon sighed once again and approached the woman, embracing her and glancing at Hunter:

«She’s right. However angry I am at you for trying to kill her back then… you’ve proved your love for her again and again. And now you’re undermining it, by saying… this.»

Hunter looked at Serena, who was trying to calm down, and didn’t know what to say.

«You came here for a reason…» Serena said a couple of moments later, seemingly recollecting her bearings. «What did you want?»

The cyborg exchanged a quick glance with Lindon and cleared his throat:

«We’re ready for the memory extraction.»

Serena leaned back, meeting Lindon’s gaze for a second, and freed herself from his embrace:

«Good. Give me five minutes.» she headed out.

Lindon sighed once more, worried for the woman, and switched his earpiece on:

«Wolfin, get back to the ship. Leave the drones to keep watch. We need you here.»

When he received a reply, he nodded to Hunter:

«Go, we’ll be right there.»

The cyborg decided not to meddle and walked off, feeling hurt after seeing Serena being so distressed.

Lindon took his time going to the medical bay, but when he got there, everybody was gathered already. Hunter was strapped down in the pod, ready to have his memories extracted, and Serena stood in the corner, sipping on some Berulian vodka, seemingly indifferent, even though her eyes were filled with dim flickers of anger.

Laneth double checked the bindings, before leaving with Kayla, so that the child won’t be subjected to the torture of memory extraction. Wolfin, though silent, kept glancing at Serena, who was not even looking at Hunter or the medical pod he was lying in.

«Commence memory extraction.» Serena finally said, taking a big sip. «Lyssa, the time period we discussed previously.»

«Yes, Captain.» the AI replied, and Hunter closed his eyes, trying to relax as much as it was possible.

When the procedure began, Lindon saw the man tensing up, and his teeth gritting, but unlike the last time, Hunter seemed to be tolerating this procedure better. And even though his bindings screeched when he flinched, they still held him in place.

A few minutes passed, and the ship’s AI reported:

«Memories extracted.»

Serena glanced at Hunter, seeing him relaxing, and the medical pod clicked the bindings open, putting them away. The cyborg lay there for a few moments, but then sat up and slipped off, standing up.

«Strange…» he whispered. «It felt easier than last time.»

«Show the memories, Lyssa.» Serena looked away from the man, glancing at the screen.

As Hunter’s memories started unfolding, she saw how he was carried by the chimera — first on the ship, then off it, as Falana was chuckling at the man who was still alive — barely.

Serena couldn’t understand how a Terran would be strong enough to keep himself from dying after such an extensive blood loss. Then she saw him lying on a medical table, with Falana operating on him. Time passed as she was adding, extracting, cutting and altering the man. Hearing his painful screams, Serena almost looked away, unable to bear the sound of his voice calling out in vain.

And then she saw Falana leaning in with a smile:

«Serena, yes…» she murmured to the delirious man, who was already altered so vastly he could no longer be called human. «Show me how much you love her…»

The woman climbed atop the cyborg lying on the operating table and sat on his groin, chuckling and rubbing against him.

«Oh, I am certainly going to keep that bit of you on.» Serena heard Falana say. «Such a…»

The woman gasped in excitation, as she helped him enter her loin.

Hunter watched in shock and silence, incapable of remembering this, but Lindon squeezed his fists, becoming angry.

As they watched Falana pleasing herself on the man, Serena felt her mind suddenly wandering somewhere else.

«You asshole!» Lindon growled.

Hunter looked at him and saw him stepping up. Before anyone could do anything, Lindon landed a heavy blow to the cyborg’s face. Wolfin sighed heavily, not approving of what was happening, but kept silent, glancing at Serena.

And their Captain stood frozen with the bottle of alcohol in her hand. A few moments passed, as Lindon hit Hunter again and again and the cyborg tried his best not to let him land another blow, when Wolfin suddenly heard Serena calling out:

«Stop!» Serena pleaded, seeing the men fighting. «Please, stop it!»

The men were so deep into their scuffle that they didn’t even hear her say anything.

«I said STOP IT!» Serena screeched, throwing the bottle she had in her hand.

The bottle crashed above the two men and they finally acknowledged her being there. Slowly stepping away from each other, they tried catching their breaths.

«I want you off my ship!» Serena growled, her voice cracking.

Lindon glanced at Hunter:

«You heard…»

«NO!» Serena shouted, making him fall silent. «I want you BOTH off my ship! Get off my ship now!»

Wolfin stepped up to Serena, wishing to calm her down, but she met his gaze.

«Escort them both to SS Growler now!»

«Serena…» Wolfin tried to reason.

«You were given an order!» she shouted. «Escort them both off my ship now!»

«But…»

Serena walked up to the man, making him fall silent just by looking angrily into his eyes:

«Escort them both to SS Growler until further notice, or all three of you will be thrown off my ship and you will never see me again!»

«Please, listen…»

«Lyssa! Set timer to ten minutes! If Hunter and Lindon are escorted off my ship before the timer runs out, Wolfin is allowed to stay on board. If not — whichever compartment these three are in will be modified to render them unconscious and have them dragged off my ship. Activate timer now!»

«Timer activated!» Lyssa replied. «Helper bots on standby.»

Wolfin stood silent, looking into her eyes with a grim understanding that she was serious. The woman looked at Lindon and Hunter, then turned and walked off.

The next time Wolfin saw her was hours later — after he escorted Lindon and Hunter to SS Growler, explaining to them that it would be best for the time being for him to stay and try and talk to Serena about it to get them back. Knowing how harsh Serena could be, both men agreed, stopping their arguments and leaving the ship, even though feeling guilty for what happened.

As dinner time came and Wolfin was sitting in the dining area, sharing his meal with Laneth and Kayla, Serena walked in, not looking at anyone and got only a bottle of alcohol and nothing else, occupying a seat away from them. Sitting alone and drinking, she seemed to be deep in thought, but Wolfin noticed that something in her composure changed. She seemed a bit more collected, less stressed, but her mind obviously wandered.

Kayla jumped off her seat before anyone could stop the girl and she walked over to Serena, holding a piece of candy in her palm.

«Captain Serena!» the girl stopped next to the woman, saluting her.

«At ease.» Serena replied not even glancing at the child.

«I noticed you’re not quite well, so take this pill.» Kayla placed the candy on the table. «Doctors’ orders.»

Serena looked at the girl, and saw her determined look — the child was looking so confident and collected that it made the woman smile a bit.

«Alright… so what’s this pill? What does it do?» she unwrapped the candy, glancing at it.

«It helps brighten the mood.» Kayla smiled wide. «Come on! Take it! I promise it will make you feel better!»

Serena threw the candy into her mouth and felt the soft outer shell melting, gifting her with a pleasant chocolate taste that soon became mixed with some salted caramel that was hidden inside.

«M… interesting.» the woman smirked. «Got any more of those pills?»

«I do. But you can’t rely on pills to make you feel better. I have other ways to help my patients.» Kayla reached her hand out. «I can show you, if you follow me, Captain. Doctors’ orders.»

The woman chuckled, seeing how ready the girl was to set aside anything she was doing just to help Serena dive out of the heavy thoughts that weighed upon her. Taking the girls hand, Serena stood, grabbing the bottle.

Kayla pulled her over to Wolfin and Laneth and showed at the empty seat:

«Sit, Captain.»

Serena tilted her head, but took a seat without arguing. Wolfin met her gaze and the woman shrugged:

«Doctors’ orders.»

«Yep!» Kayla jumped onto the table and sat next to Serena, catching her gaze. «And here’s another order for you, Captain. You can’t hide all alone in there. We’re your crew and we are here to help. But we can’t help if we don’t really know what’s happening.»

Serena frowned and tilted her head once again:

«You are way too smart for a child, you know that?»

«So it’s a good thing I’m on your crew!» Kayla returned with a giggle. «You need smart people around. Now get your head out of your ass and tell us what’s wrong!»

«Language, young lady!» Laneth gasped.

Serena couldn’t hold in a chuckle — the child already learned more than enough from being around them. And the way Kayla brought some semblance of family to their crew was welcoming and held deeper emotional warmth whenever someone interacted with the girl.

«She’s right, you know…» Wolfin sighed. «We can’t help if we don’t know what’s happening. And you’ve distanced yourself…»

«I just don’t know what to say. I started accepting the fact that Hunter was controlled by Falana. I was ready to see something like… that…» Serena nodded aside, talking about the memories they’ve seen from the extraction. «I was trying so hard to accept all of it and… I don’t want to see my crew fighting. If Lindon and Hunter won’t be able to deal with whatever they have now between them… I don’t think I’ll be able to have them on my ship. We need to find Falana. And if I can’t trust in my crew… who can I trust?»

Kayla sat silent, but then reached out and squeezed Serena’s shoulder with her small palm:

«You can trust me, Captain.»

«Yeah, and you hadn’t given Hunter a hard time even once, huh?» Serena smirked at the child.

«Uh… well… yeah… a bit. But we settled.» Kayla seemed shy all of a sudden. «He’s… a good man. And he really feels guilty for what happened.»

«I know.»

«I know that if I could forgive him, and Laneth could too… Lindon can.» Kayla glanced at Wolfin. «And Uncle Woofy too.»

Serena burst with a cackle — the single time that she slipped in front of Kayla, the girl caught onto her pet name for her mentor and utilised it.

«I told you not to call me that, young lady!» Wolfin frowned, making him look intimidating, but the smile that kept jumping his lips made it hard to look at him with a serious face.

Kayla showed the Veluthian her tongue, teasing him, and Wolfin cackled, incapable of being frowning at the child.

«But I am serious, Captain…» Kayla looked at Serena again, seeing her smile fading. «I know we can get along. I know Hunter messed up, but… you kept Pher around, didn’t you? And I’ve been told he did some messed up stuff…»

«Yeah, he was an asshole, that’s for sure.» Serena sighed, taking a sip.

«But we’re kind of all assholes around here.» Kayla showed her tongue to Laneth, as she was about to scold the girl for cursing again.

«You’re not.» Serena slightly poked the girl in her side. «You’re just about the nicest one among us.»

Kayla made a funny face that said all about how caught she was:

«Yeah… about that…» she cleared her throat. «I’m an asshole too.»

Serena frowned:

«I’m sorry?»

The girl reached to the little bag she was always carrying around with her that now lay on the edge of the table, and took out a very familiar pillbox.

«I… uh… sneaked into your rooms and found this.» Kayla handed the box to Serena.

«Lyssa, if I could… I would have grounded you like a rowdy child.» Serena sighed.

«I’m sorry, Captain, there was nothing I could do. Laneth showed Kayla how to open latched doors and the child needed training.» the AI replied.

«I saw the note…» Kayla said. «Why aren’t you taking these pills?»

Serena exhaled, looking at the box:

«I’m not worthy of carrying long hair that I used to have. I’m too weak.»

«But that’s not true!» the child squeezed her hands into fists. «Even when you thought Hunter was dead… you held on. I saw what weak people do in grief… and you’re definitely not weak.»

«Weak people run, Kayla. I ran.» Serena shook her head.

«You didn’t run, Captain. You were just… looking for some peace and quiet.» Kayla sighed. «I told them they shouldn’t have poked you so much. I told them to leave you alone… They didn’t listen. Because I’m just a child.»

Serena looked at Wolfin and saw him pursing his lips:

«She’s right, Wolfin… I wouldn’t have run if you would stop bothering me…»

«I’m sorry, Scorpi.» the Veluthian sighed heavily.

Kayla opened the pillbox and took out one pill, offering it to Serena:

«Take it, Captain. You are worthy.»

«I can’t, Kayla.» Serena sighed heavily. «I lost a fight… twice.»

The girl took a very deep breath and then leaned in, catching her Captain’s gaze:

«How could you have lost if you never fought Hunter?» she asked. «Laneth said you never hit him once. You didn’t raise your hand at him. You weren’t fighting. And if you weren’t fighting… you never lost.»

Serena felt her lips quivering and tears trying to fill her eyes and forced them down, looking at the pill in the girl’s hand.

«Doctors’ orders.» Kayla said, bringing the pill closer.

Serena glanced at Wolfin and Laneth, sighed and took the pill, throwing it into her mouth and watering it down with a large sip of alcohol.

Chapter 20. Drunk

Cipher growled under his breath, hearing everything from Hunter and Lindon.

«You are… both unbelievable!» the man said. «I can’t believe you would be so darn stupid!»

Lindon scowled and threw an angry glance towards Hunter.

«Hey, at least she didn’t punch you so hard you lost a couple of teeth!» Pher filled everyone’s glasses.

Cipher sighed heavily and shook his head, taking another sip:

«I think it would have been better for the two of you.» he said and saw them looking at him. «Maybe you’d have your heads out of your asses afterwards! I mean, Lindon, come on! Did she even want to punch Hunter at all then? No! Yet you decided for some reason she was offended and needed your defence. I get it, you are looking after her. We all are, but… really? Instead of supporting her you made the call to make it all worse!»

The Veluthian slouched, taking a large sip from his glass.

«Never thought I’d be scolded by a Terran.» he grumbled.

«Well, you’d better listen to what this Terran has to say, otherwise you’re bound to lose Serena for good!» Pher smirked.

«Whatever it is between you, you’d better sort this out here and now.» Cipher nodded, taking a sip of alcohol. «She’s not going to let this slide, that’s for sure. And if you don’t want to end up like Pher ended up once… I suggest you start thinking, and not acting out like some teenagers in testosterone rage.»

Hunter finished his drink and looked at Lindon:

«You wanted to fight me.» he said. «Let’s fight, if you still want it.»

«Fuck off, Hunter!» Lindon scowled again. «Fighting is what got us in this mess!»

«Then what the fuck do you want?» Hunter raised his voice, irritated. «Huh? Like it’s not enough for me to be looked at like I’m some kind of an outsider! It’s hard enough for me to see Serena broken, and you’re just… gloating!»

«Don’t forget that I was the one to initiate some sort of contact between you two!» Lindon jolted to his feet. «I stepped over my mistrust towards you, and yet here we are!»

«For fuck’s sake…» Cipher sighed, closing his face with his palm. «You’re fighting like kids… no wonder she exiled you from her ship.»

Pher grunted, agreeing with his captain.

«Aw, are the boys having a disagreement about a pussy they can’t share?» Claire, a woman who came to Cipher’s crew with her sibling walked into the dining area, followed by her brother.

«Don’t dare speak about her like that!» Hunter jumped up, squeezing his fists.

«Say one more thing about Serena and I’ll break your neck, girl!» Lindon looked at the woman.

Cipher chuckled:

«Now that’s more like it… you’re uniting against someone else who really said something rude about our Captain.

«But seriously, are you really fighting about a woman?» Jonah, shrugged. «Is she that good in bed?»

Hunter and Lindon jolted towards the man in unison — the Terran just a split second quicker than the Veluthian. Catching him by the clothes, Hunter bared his teeth:

«Say that again!» he growled.

Lindon shoved aside the woman, who was about to attack the Cyborg to defend her crew mate and brother.

«Wow…» Cipher cleared his throat. «Everyone, listen up!»

Hunter gritted his teeth, looking at the scowling face of Cipher’s man, but didn’t move.

«Calm down! NOW!» Cipher ordered. «And you all, if you ever talk about Serena like that, I’m going to throw you into open space without a suit on!»

Jonah forced a smile to his face, raising his hands:

«Alright, boss.»

Hunter pushed the man away, although he wanted to crush his bones badly.

Pher walked over and stopped the men from continuing the scuffle:

«We mean that, guys. Don’t dare call Serena names like that. You know nothing about her.»

«Hey, she’s pretty and slim, that’s all I need to know.» Jonah shrugged. «I’d fuck that any time.»

Pher gritted his teeth and punched the guy in his nose, sending him to the floor:

«I said stop it! One more word about Serena, and you’ll be locked up until we reach any port. And then you’ll be left there without pay!»

«What the fuck’s wrong with you all?» Jonah winced. «She’s just a woman! Not like you hadn’t thought to fuck her!»

«I wasn’t man enough for her, you asshole!» Pher growled to the man. «So if I wasn’t, then you’ll be somewhere above a cockroach for her! She’ll squish you and won’t even notice!»

Cipher stood and approached them all, twitching his brow:

«Now listen here, all of you!» he barked. «If you don’t stop this right now, you’ll be locked up — each and every one of you!»

A heavy silence fell among the crew as he looked at them all, frowning.

«Uh…» the third man from Cipher’s crew walked in. «I seem to have missed something.»

«Are you going to insult Serena too, or are you better than them?» Hunter nodded towards Jonah and Claire.

«What are you talking about? I respect the woman! ” Taliesin frowned at his team mates. «Don’t tell me you’ve been badmouthing Captain Serena again… and in front of them of all people?»

Pher growled:

«So? Are you all done?»

Taliesin raised his hands and headed towards the food processor:

«I am not part of this shit, so count me out.»

Cipher nodded to Jonah and Claire to go, and slapped Lindon and Hunter on their shoulders:

«Come… we all need a drink.»

Chapter 21. Trust

It took Wolfin a few days before Serena summoned everyone — including Lindon and Hunter — to her ship to discuss the situation they’ve been having. After laying down the further plans in pursuit of Falana, the woman waved everyone off, ordering only two men to stay.

Hunter remembered how calm and harsh she sounded when she lay down a number of ground rules, basically offering them to come back to her crew and be civil, or be dropped off wherever they wished. The man knew she’s had enough of the fighting he and Lindon had between them, so he promised her to remain civil towards the Veluthian. Lindon, however, stated that he will be civil only if Hunter will not do anything to hurt Serena. She accepted this, allowing them both to stay.

Ever since then — by this time another two days passed — they barely saw the woman, as she was occupying herself with something more important than having a personal talk with them. Hunter didn’t push to see her — even though he really wanted to — and stayed with Laneth helping her around the technical bay.

Hunter heard the door sliding open and looked up, seeing Serena walking inside. Laneth noticed him looking at the door and turned, noticing their Captain standing by the door.

«Captain.» Kayla took a step forward, saluting Serena as usual.

«At ease, soldier.» the woman replied, glancing up and meeting Laneth’s gaze. «Laneth, why don’t you take Kayla to have a little snack?»

Laneth frowned, noticing the quick, but heavy and concerned glance Serena gave to Hunter.

«Come on, Kayla… let’s leave our Captain and Hunter for a few minutes.» Laneth hurried to grab the girl’s hand and pulled her away.

As soon as they left and the door closed behind them, Hunter saw Serena take a very deep breath.

«Lyssa, lock the bay for a bit.» Serena said.

«Yes, Captain. Technical bay on lockdown.» the AI replied.

Hunter swallowed hard, not knowing what to expect from the woman — the way she looked at the moment could be interpreted in many different undertones of her mind set.

Serena slowly approached Hunter, looking at the floor in front of her, and stopped a few steps away from the cyborg. The man kept silent, too afraid to get on her bad side — especially after what happened when they got into a fight with Lindon last time.

The woman closed her eyes for a few moments, then her shoulders straightened and she proudly looked up — straight into Hunter’s eyes.

«We have to talk, Hunter.» her voice, unlike before, sounded stern and strong.

She glanced at the reinforced seat that stood for times when Laneth was working with the cybernetic components Hunter now had. The man nodded to a thought that crossed his mind and stepped to the seat, lowering his body onto the metal plating. His arms lay onto the armrests, as he got used to being secured whenever he was in this chair.

Serena’s face flinched, and she approached him, flicking the shackles on. Hunter didn’t object, knowing very well that he still scared her in this new body of his.

«I’m sorry, Serena.» he said instead.

«Apology accepted…» she stood in front of him, studying his body with her eyes.

He noticed the difference in her — her eyes no longer filled with fear, now shining with resolve and confidence she lacked ever since he got back to their team.

«Your fight with Lindon…» Serena met his gaze, twitching her brow. «Have you resolved it?»

Hunter frowned a bit — he thought Lindon would have already told her all about it.

«Yes.» the man replied, not understanding what was happening. «I thought, he checked in about that…»

«We haven’t spoken yet.» the woman slowly circled Hunter, studying his body attentively.

He was surprised to hear that.

«It took us a few bottles to talk it out.» Hunter glanced at Serena, seeing her tilt her head a bit.

«So you still eat and drink…» she whispered. «Interesting.»

«I’m still part human, Serena.»

«I know. I just…» she shook her head and took a breath before continuing. «I never really asked Laneth how much of a human is left…»

«I’m still me, if that’s what you’re asking…» Hunter saw her stopping in front of him again and leaning in. «Just a little… upgraded.»

She suddenly climbed onto his lap, positioning herself as she used to a long time ago — before he was turned into a walking pile of scrap metal. Her knees at either side of his legs, and her hind on his lap — it reminded him of the times when they were happy together, even though he couldn’t feel the warmth of her body.

Serena leaned in, bringing her face close to his, and he noticed a faint glimmer of pain in her eyes. For a few long minutes she seemed to watch him closely, but then she reached her hand up and touched his face with her palm, making him close his eyes and lean in, yearning for the warmth of her touch.

«Are you recollecting the way it felt, or…» Serena’s voice became shaky.

«I feel it, Serena.» Hunter opened his eyes and saw her even closer. «I feel your touch.»

Her lips trembled, and suddenly her eyes filled with tears:

«What has she done to you?»

The man felt his breath becoming shaky as well:

«She disassembled and reassembled me again…» he replied, feeling two tears running down his face.

What happened next caught him by surprise, as Serena leaned in, connecting their lips in a kiss. He didn’t argue or pull back, basking in the warmth — even though it felt desperate and sorrowful. The man suddenly heard his bindings unclasp and realised that the woman reached out to switch off the security shackles.

Serena pressed herself to him, and he cautiously and slowly embraced her, careful not to scare her off or hurt her by any means. As she pulled back from their long kiss, she closed her eyes, pressing her forehead to his, and Hunter saw tears running down her face. He raised his hand and gently cupped her cheek.

«I’m sorry, Serena…» he whispered. «I’m sorry I am not the man you loved…»

«Shut up!» she pushed out of herself, catching his gaze. «Please shut up!»

She kissed him again, and he felt her embracing him, pulling even closer. When she leaned back again, he was too scared to move and remained there — silent and still, wondering what was on her mind. It took her some time before she looked into his eyes again and this time he saw no tears in her eyes — she already calmed down and recollected herself.

«Why do you wear pants, Hunter?» she asked him quietly.

«I want to feel like the man I used to be.» he replied truthfully. «I know I don’t have to wear clothes, but… it makes me feel human.»

Serena sat back, and Hunter reluctantly freed her from his metal arms, watching her closely. The woman’s eyes slid down to his metal-plated chest and stomach, and then she stood and took a step back.

«Stand up…» she said and her voice cracked just a little.

Hunter straightened and took a step forward, but froze, not wishing to push his luck with what little progress they’ve had. Instead, Serena walked up and touched his chest, looking into his eyes.

«If I can’t trust my crew… how can my crew trust me?» she whispered.

The man cautiously and slowly raised his hand to her face and very gently ran the tips of his metal fingers against her cheek.

«I love you, Serena.» he said, wishing that everything was different, but knowing it was nothing, but an impossible dream. «And I trust you with my life.»

Her palm cupped his cheek and the man almost closed his eyes again, feeling the pleasure of her warmth on his altered skin. A few moments passed and she slid her hand lower, feeling his neck and then the plates on his chest. Glancing down, she pressed her lips together.

«Show me…» she said. «How much of a human are you still?»

Hunter hoped the sight won’t scare her, and ordered his systems to unravel his torso, baring the scar-covered skin that was enhanced with some sort of a compound, altering it just enough to make it stronger, though keeping the feel of the natural human skin.

Again, Serena circled him around, studying his human torso with only a metal spine protruding in the back, connecting the weight-bearing core with the inner bones that were replaced with metal during the torture Hunter endured while being in Falana’s hands.

He felt Serena’s palm touching his side and almost flinched, but forced himself to stay still. The woman slid her hand to his stomach and seemed to stop for a bit, feeling his muscles. But then she looked to his metal arms and for a minute or two stood there, as if thinking something over. Slowly she raised her hand again and ran it up on the metal plating of his cybernetic arm.

Meeting Hunter’s gaze once more, the woman wrapped her palm around the back of his neck, pulling him down. He didn’t pull back, allowing her to bring him down for another kiss again. However, this time he felt her being a little more like before — when she used to be free from the fear his metal body brought her. She didn’t lean back for a very long time and suddenly jumped up, wrapping her legs around his waist. Hunter embraced her, keeping her up and wishing for the moment to never end.

He felt her pressing hard to his body, greedily kissing him, and couldn’t resist her being with him. He stepped to the work table Laneth had some tools on and swiped them all off, placing Serena on the top. For a few very long minutes they couldn’t get away from each other and Hunter grew bolder, grasping the woman’s jacked to pull it off.

«Hunter, wait…» Serena gasped for air suddenly leaning back. «Please, wait…»

The man forced his lust for her down, leaning with his hands over the table, and caught his breath, feeling rattled.

«I’m sorry.» he exhaled, recollecting himself. «I’m so sorry…»

Serena cupped his face and forced him to look up at her, meeting her gaze.

«I…» Hunter closed his eyes for a second, tears streaming down his face. «When Falana reassembled me… I was still experiencing that side-effect after the memory extraction. She used this… when I called for you. She used me, like…»

He felt Serena’s palm close his mouth and this familiar gesture made him fall silent, meeting her gaze.

«Don’t think about her.» Serena whispered. «I’ll make her regret everything she had done.»

The woman embraced him, pulling his head to her chest, and allowing him to cry on her breasts, while she gently caressed his hair.

Chapter 22. Exercise

Lindon walked to the training room with a dark expression on his face — Lyssa caught an encoded message to someone named Darren Holler. The message was short and signed with only three letters that they already knew.

FDL.

Lyssa reported that Serena was training, so Lindon hurried there to see her in person and to check in on the woman — for the past few days he barely saw her, even though he understood why she was hesitant to approach him after the fight he had with Hunter that led to their temporary exile.

When the door slid open, Lindon froze for a split second, seeing Hunter jolting to Serena in an attempt to punch her in the face. The Veluthian jumped forward, gritting his teeth, but was immediately stopped by Wolfin, who pressed his palms to Lindon’s chest.

«Easy.» Wolfin said to the man. «They’re training.»

Lindon forced his anger down, watching closely the futile attempts of the cyborg attacking the woman, who swirled, jumped and avoided his hits, landing a couple in the process. Even though she wore her Veluthian armour, each blow she landed to the hard metal body of the Terran made her wince slightly.

«Training…» Lindon exhaled, relaxing his muscles. «Why?»

«Serena wanted to overcome the fear after Hunter almost killed her.» Wolfin sighed, glancing to his ward. «She proposed to fight Hunter to make sure that if he ever becomes affected by Falana again, she will be able to fight back.»

Lindon gritted his teeth a bit and took a deep breath:

«And you’re here… why?»

Wolfin met his gaze and slapped the holster on his thigh:

«I’m here to make sure Hunter doesn’t hurt her. His idea, not mine.»

Serena screamed angrily and the men heard a hard punch that reached Hunter’s face. They looked at the two opponents and saw Hunter falling to one knee, grasping his jaw.

«Damn it, Serena…» the man groaned. «That one hurt.»

For a moment Lindon saw a faint shimmer of the pain and fear the woman experienced after they got Hunter back, but then she caught her breath and straightened:

«Thank you.» she said. «I needed this.»

She offered Hunter her hand and the man took it to get back to his feet. Only then they both turned to Lindon and Wolfin who stood watching them closely.

«News?» Serena asked, wiping sweat off her brow.

Lindon had to take a moment to shake off the feeling of worry he felt for her when he entered.

«Yes. We caught an encoded message.» he said.

«What did it say?» Hunter frowned.

«Garmfrig. Usual Place. FDL.» Lindon replied. «We all know who FDL is. So we need to move.»

«Garmfrig… isn’t it…» Wolfin frowned as well.

«A space casino.» Serena took a deep breath and stepped to the door, deactivating her armour. «All right… Call Cipher, let’s have an all hands on deck meeting. Our ship. Dining area. Fifteen minutes.»

«Serena, wait…» Lindon wanted to stop her.

«Let me take a shower, Lindon. I’ve been trying to get him for the last hour.» she shook her head. «Everything else can wait until briefing. Or after.»

He watched her exit the room and sighed, but then looked at Hunter:

«An hour?»

Hunter shrugged.

«He’s become stronger.» Wolfin tilted his head. «But I get the feeling he was holding back.»

«No, Wolfin. I wasn’t.» Hunter glanced at Serena, who was walking off calmly.

«Good.»

Lindon looked at Wolfin in shock:

«Good? So you want him to kill her?!»

«No, Lindon. That means that Serena is no longer afraid to fight the man, however strong his new metal body is.» Wolfin shook his head, meeting Lindon’s gaze. «And that’s good.»

«I’m sorry if I scared you.» Hunter said to Lindon.

The Veluthian scowled and turned away, walking off to call everyone to come aboard Lyssa.

Wolfin slapped Hunter’s shoulder:

«You’re in good form.»

«I just wish I could use this new body to protect Serena, not… hurt her.»

Wolfin pat on the metal armoured plates of his shoulder and sighed.

«This didn’t hurt her, Hunter. This set free her true self. And for that I am grateful.» he said.

Fifteen minutes later, when everyone was already gathered in the dining area, Hunter sat silent, watching everyone cautiously, still tense seeing Lindon throw angry glances his way.

Serena was the last one to enter the dining area. Passing by Jonah, who stood aside with a bottle of alcohol, she froze, as a slap sounded. A heavy silence fell in the room, when everyone looked at Serena and the smirking man behind her, who slapped her ass.

«Wanna visit me tonight, babe?» Jonah smiled wider.

Serena grunted, turning, and took a step to the man, tilting her head:

«Keep standing, and I’ll consider it a possibility.» she said, a menacing smirk appearing on her lips.

Jonah leaned in, watching her eyes:

«Do your best.»

Serena chuckled and slapped his face with her palm, throwing him to the floor and pushing him down. Claire jolted up, but was stopped by Pher, who managed to catch her wrist. Everyone else sat silently, watching how Serena stood above the man with the bottle he had in her other hand. In the split second she toppled him she managed to grab the drink from him as well.

«Do this again and you will find yourself without a hand, got it?» the Captain hissed.

The panicked, wide-eyed Jonah couldn’t even reply — his mouth closed by her hand and head held so tightly that he couldn’t even nod.

The woman raised her hand and straightened:

«Cipher, discipline this man as you see fit. He should know to respect those, who are high in command, even if they are not from his ship.» she said.

«Yes, Captain!» Cipher gritted his teeth, watching Jonah slowly roll over and get up.

As soon as the shocked man was on his feet, Serena grabbed his scruff and pushed him towards others:

«Now sit down!»

Jonah barely caught himself upright and hurried to take a seat, shaken after being so easily knocked off his feet.

Serena, on the other hand, pinched the bridge of her nose and winced:

«Cipher, we’ll have to talk about your crew…»

«I agree, Captain.» Cipher replied, shooting an angry gaze at Jonah.

Taking a sip of alcohol, the woman walked up to the table, where everyone was gathered.

«I told you she’ll squish you.» Pher chuckled at Jonah, but then glanced at Serena and cleared his throat, becoming collected. «Sorry, Captain.»

Serena twitched her brow and leaned over the table, looking at everyone:

«I don’t need to say that what we are doing is extremely important. If any of you three…» she looked at Taliesin, Jonah and Claire. «Even for a moment will endanger our mission, I will kill you myself! Pher!»

«Yes, Captain?» Pher straightened in his seat.

«You’re in charge of these three. Any wrong step, and you tell me, got it? Otherwise you’ll be reprimanded as well. And you remember well how that worked for you last time…» Serena tilted her head, looking at the man.

«I do, Serena.»

«Good.»

Chapter 23. Garmfrig

As soon as they arrived on Garmfrig, where all sorts of gambling was legal and praised, the team was notified of their right to carry weapons, but only to a certain point — some of the more high-end establishments required the weapons to be locked up in order to go inside.

Jonah and Claire pushed past everyone, eager to get into the crowd of gamblers and Serena exchanged glances with Cipher, already knowing that the man was thinking the same thing.

«So… Usual place… this could mean anything at all.» Lindon noted, seeing a whole plethora of casinos, brothels and hotels that offered all kinds of entertainment.

«Not unless it is literally what it says…» Serena shrugged. «Or have you never been to Garmfrig?»

Lindon seemed offended and frowned:

«Serena, I find it below my station and etiquette to visit such places.»

«Ah…» Wolfin chuckled. «So you’ve never been a gambling man?»

«I prefer to gamble with my own life in a duel or on a battle field. Or at work…»

Serena chuckled and waved everyone to follow her. Hunter glanced to her, seeing the sudden cheer in her eyes, and realised that she must have been here at least once.

«So… uh…» he cleared his throat. «You gamble?»

«Only when I want to have a bit of fun. Makes good sport to place a bet on myself and win a fight.» the woman replied. «Wolfin here seems to know what it’s like.»

«I worked here, Serena.» the Veluthian replied with a smirk. «After I ran from Velutha.»

«Oh. So… you have some knowledge about what we’re looking for.»

«Yeah. I always hated that place. It’s always been filled with many… uh… how would you call them? Pirates?»

«Every other person here is a criminal in one way or another.» Serena shrugged again. «I guess we’ll fit right in…»

«Shit!» Pher suddenly realised that while he was paying attention to Serena and the others, keeping an eye out for any passers-by that might cause a problem, he totally forgot about Jonah and Claire, who seemed to have vanished into thin air.

Taliesin, however, was still by his side and shrugged, not knowing where his buddies went. He didn’t seem to care that the two would get in trouble.

«Don’t sweat it, Pher.» Serena sighed. «If they won’t be back at the ship by the time we get back… I think we can leave them here and not think about them anymore.»

Cipher nodded to Pher, agreeing with the woman.

«Sorry, Captain.» the man slouched, understanding that he let Serena down.

Serena stopped and turned to Pher with a wide smile on her face:

«Your balls are safe. Don’t sweat it. Their earpieces are worthless unless connected to our systems, so if they disappear — it’s their fault, not yours. They heard me crystal clear and knew that they needed to obey orders. If they can’t, then they have no place on our ships.» the woman glanced at Taliesin and winked to him. «At least, one of those three is more honourable and reliable.»

«Uh… thank you?» the man ruffled his short Mohawk-cut hair that was dyed blue. «I’m kind of… not with those two.»

Hunter felt good seeing Serena more like her usual self.

«So you won’t mind if we leave them here?» the Captain asked.

«Not at all.» Taliesin smiled. «Honestly, I’m better off without those two. They always got me in trouble and I’m tired of it. I told myself before I took this place with Cipher that I will no longer let them drag me down.»

«Good answer.» Serena smiled to the man.

Cipher slapped Taliesin’s shoulder and they all continued their path through the bustling streets of Garmfrig, heading towards the less decorated, but sturdier establishments that usually dealt with the more shady stuff.

«So… uh… Serena…» Wolfin caught up with the woman. «How do you know about the Usual Place?»

«You’ve followed my life, so how come you don’t know?»

«Places like these don’t actually offer reports on where people go and what they do.»

«Well… as you might know, I’ve been running off from time to time, whenever my father would get on my nerves…» the woman shrugged. «So sometimes, instead of fighting on the human colonies in cages I came here to get my mind off things. Tickle my nerves and get into brawls…»

«And you still hadn’t answered my question.»

Serena stopped, glancing to the dark building with a very simple sign «Usual Place’ above the entrance.

«I… uh… didn’t think it better to start brawls in usual bars and places. This location, however, never made me feel guilty for beating someone up. Or for gambling with people who thought they could try and cut my throat in the nearest alley.» she said a few moments later. «The owner at the time was quite an interesting person. Not sure if he’s still here, though. A lot of time has passed since I’ve seen him last.»

«You knew the owner?» Lindon frowned.

The woman glanced at him and smirked:

«He was a good man, all things considered. Had his own code of honour and never tolerated disrespect in the walls of his establishment. He loved seeing me there, because I usually took care of people he couldn’t really touch for different reasons. As a client of his bar I could beat up anyone and it was up to the owner to decide if he wanted me banned from the place or not. He never banned me. And offered a lot of entertainment.»

«You mean to tell me you knew Killian Reph?» Wolfin asked with a frown. «The head of all this block?»

Serena smiled, nodding.

Lindon glanced at Wolfin and the Veluthian cleared his throat:

«Killian was thought to be the most powerful of gangsters around this place. At the time I knew him he owned this block and half of the neighbourhood west of here. It was said that he was a dangerous man to meddle with.»

«Dangerous, true.» Serena sighed, obviously remembering something. «But he was a man of culture and honour, though, definitely was quite a hard man to negotiate with. When I knew him he owned just this place and a little pawn shop down the road, though…»

She continued her way, and the others followed, falling silent. When they walked inside the establishment, they were met with three very tall men with augmentations on their limbs to ease their jobs as bouncers. The men followed the crew with their eyes until Serena saw a smiley young woman approaching:

«Table for all? Are there any more coming, or just you?» she asked.

«Just us, dear.» Serena replied. «Do you still serve Killian’s Brew?»

«Oh, but of course! The owner prides himself for his recipe! This way!» the waitress led them to a large table in the corner, separated from the others by a comfortable booth meant to leave all conversations private.

When they were seated, Serena caught the woman again:

«Killian’s Brew for everybody and…» she glanced aside to her men and waved her finger at the waitress, and when she leaned in Serena whispered. «Killian Reph is still alive and well, I take it?»

«Oh, yes!» the waitress replied quietly.

Serena took a split moment to consider her options and whispered again:

«Please let him know Serena is here. He’ll know.» she met the waitress’s eyes and nodded.

The young woman smiled and nodded in return, before swiftly retreating to the bar.

«What did you tell her?» Hunter watched the waitress speaking to the barman.

The man behind the bar seemed to frown, but nod in reply and then call someone through a communication device he was wearing on his ear.

«Don’t think about it just yet.» Serena smiled at her men. «And enjoy Killian’s Brew — it’s the finest beer in Garmfrig.»

The beer arrived quickly, and while the men thanked the waitress for their tankards, Hunter watched how the young woman leaned in to Serena and whispered something to her ear. Finding the interaction strange and suspicious, he kept his thoughts to himself, taking a sip of the offered beer.

The taste that hit his mouth was definitely pleasant — better than any other beer he had ever had in his life, even after meeting Serena and visiting many different spots in the Human Universe.

«Damn!» Taliesin exclaimed first. «This is the best thing I tasted in a very long time!»

«Told you!» Serena chuckled, drinking her beer.

«Somehow I get the feeling there’s more to all this…» Cipher noticed how the back door opened and a tall, lean old man with a cane walked out.

The way this old man carried himself told Cipher about the power he had among the people working for him — everyone stepped aside to let him pass, and he walked proudly, as if he wasn’t old at all. Why he needed a cane was beyond Cipher’s understanding — he wasn’t at all limping and looked like he was healthier than the men that worked in his establishment.

Serena noticed the old man approaching and set her tankard aside, standing up with a smile on her face.

The old man stopped in front of her, studying her with his eyes, and his harsh, emotionless face suddenly blossomed a genuine smile:

«Serena… you are even more beautiful than I remember you!» he bowed, taking her hand and planting a soft kiss. «I’m so happy to see you again.»

«Killian, my dear friend.» Serena stepped up, when he straightened and lay her palms on his shoulders. «I was afraid I’d never see you again.»

«These old bones are still strong, Serena.» Killian chuckled, sliding his palm over his long white hair, neatly combed back and falling to his shoulders. «Though, I am not as young anymore, I can still show some people what it is what.»

He glanced at the table where Serena’s crew sat silently, sipping on the beer.

«Your friends?» Killian twitched his brow, noting how Hunter, Lindon and Wolfin watched the old man closely. «Or lovers?»

Taliesin choked on his beer and started coughing.

«Jealous, Killian?» Serena smirked. «They’re friends. We’re here on business. And I was hoping you could help us out? For old times’ sake?»

Killian squinted a bit, thinking something over, then studied the men behind the table and bowed to them:

«Any friend of Serena is my friend. Drinks are on me tonight.» he said. «Enjoy.»

«Thank you, Killian.» Serena replied to the old man with a smile.

«But… if you want to discuss business, Serena… I propose we talk privately…» Killian threw a quick glance at her men. «You can take two men to accompany you to ease their nerves. I’m afraid, these three are not very trusting of me.»

He pointed at Hunter, Lindon and Wolfin.

«Hunter, Lindon…» Serena nodded aside. «With me. Wolfin, stay here and keep an eye out.»

Wolfin swallowed any objection, understanding that whatever discussions Serena and Killian might have — will be heard by the two, even though he still hadn’t fully trusted Hunter.

Killian offered Serena his arm and she gracefully took it, following him to the back. Lindon hurried after, and Hunter sighed, before quickly taking a big swig from the tankard and walking off after them.

As soon as they all entered the corridor, Killian chuckled:

«Oh, Serena… If you only knew how I wished you to return to me one day.» he sighed. «What happened to you? I was afraid you had died somewhere.»

Serena opened her mouth, then closed, chuckled and shook her head:

«Something like that. I had to hide for a while.»

«Why didn’t you come here? I would have gladly offered you refuge from whatever trouble you were in, my dear Veluthian Siren!»

Hunter and Lindon exchanged glances — both frowning.

«Veluthian Siren?» Lindon asked cautiously.

«Ah, yes. She is my muse, my Siren!» Killian leaned in to Serena with a wide charming smile. «The woman, who stole my heart and helped me build my empire.»

«It was a long time ago.» Serena’s smile looked sad.

«Yes, it was. But I don’t regret it one bit.» the old man opened his office door and gestured inside. «My home is your home, Siren.»

The woman walked inside and looked at the lavish décor he had on the walls — several paintings and statues placed in niches provided the needed flair of culture this man had. When she glanced back to her men she noticed a painting above them and gasped, closing her mouth.

Hunter and Lindon turned and froze, seeing a painting of Serena lying on her side with her long silver hair covering her breasts and a sheet hiding her thighs from view. In her hand she held a chalice, smiling seductively at the painter.

«You still have it…» Serena whispered, looking at Killian.

The old man cackled, offering her a seat and closing the door behind them all:

«But of course, my Siren. I would never part with it.»

«I’m flattered, Killian.» the woman smiled at him.

Hunter and Lindon gritted their teeth, understanding now that some time long ago Killian and Serena were lovers.

Killian walked over to his table and leaned over it, smiling wide at the men’s faces:

«Are they always so easy to be flabbergasted? They didn’t know we were once a thing in the distant past, my dear?» the old man leaned in closer to Serena. «Or are they jealous because they’re your lovers?»

Serena didn’t answer, smiling.

«Sir, I would ask you not to…» Lindon caught a cautious glance from Serena and cleared his throat. «I’m sorry.»

«So they are! How fascinating!» Killian studied Hunter with keen eyes.

«Killian, I’d prefer not to answer to that assumption of yours.» Serena said.

«Then let us get to business, shall we?» the man gestured to his minibar. «Drinks, anyone?»

«I’ll pass.» Hunter and Lindon answered in unison.

Killian twitched his brow and glanced at Serena:

«The usual?»

«I won’t mind having a drink with an old friend.» the woman replied.

Killian poured two glasses of some golden liquid and handed one to Serena, smiling.

«So… what brings you back to my humble establishment, my dear Siren?» he asked.

Chapter 24. Benefit

After Serena stopped talking, Killian fell into thought — his face became collected and serious, but his eyes still wandered from the woman to her two men. For some time he was silent, but then sighed:

«I know who you’re looking for. Both of them.» Killian said, setting his glass aside. «I was suspecting they were up to something behind my back.»

«Behind your back?» Hunter asked, tensing up.

«I gave Falana an… unclaimed facility and we agreed to a long-term partnership, with payments from her sales. However, she hadn’t provided me with any payment for a long time now. According to what I’ve heard just now… she had dealt with enough people, not giving me my cut.» the old man scratched his chin. «And Darren Holler is one of Sutherland boys. They rarely visit my establishment and do it only to have some entertainment, not to conduct business.»

«And if Falana will pay you this time she visits?» Serena frowned.

«Darling, she has wronged you greatly. That alone is enough of a reason for me to hold a grudge against the woman.» Killian tilted his head. «I know very well that you haven’t told me everything, but I don’t need all the details to see how much she’s hurt my precious Siren.»

«Stop calling her that!» Lindon growled.

«Why not? She is that.» the old man smiled wide. «Or has she never sung for you?»

Hunter felt his face lengthening from surprise. He looked at Serena and saw her deep in thought, but then glanced behind at the portrait.

At that very moment the doors flew open and a man walked in with his face contorted from anger:

«Father!»

Killian straightened and his expression turned dark:

«I’m in a middle of a very important meeting, son.»

«Shut up! We need to talk!» the man stopped in front of Killian and looked at Serena. «Get out of here, whore!»

Killian’s eyes squinted dangerously and his hand flew up, hitting his son across his face:

«Apologise to my guests and get out of here, Soren!»

Soren, gritting his teeth, looked up at his father with hatred:

«I have no apologies for all your whores!» he glanced at Serena, then froze and looked at the portrait above the door. «And your illegitimate daughters!»

He glanced at Killian once again.

«Your boy?» Serena asked Killian. «Never beaten enough?»

«Shut up, whore!» Soren growled at her.

Lindon and Hunter stepped up and grabbed him by the shoulders, jerking back from the woman.

«Tell your men to stand down.» Killian glanced at Serena, his tone calm and collected.

The woman nodded to her men and they obliged, freeing the man from their grasp, and Soren whipped around to them:

«I’ll have your dicks on my wall by tonight.»

Killian sighed and shook his head:

«Serena, would you be so kind and show this mistake I call my son that a meeting is not to be interrupted?»

Soren looked at his father in surprise and fury. As he stood there, frozen in place, the men and Serena could see his face a little clearer. To the woman this man was very alike his father in the distant past — same chiselled jaw, dark eyes and thick black hair. But the traits his father had as thin, aristocrat-like, in Soren were thicker — his lips plump, cheeks a bit puffy, and overall he wasn’t as lean as his father, exhibiting a bit of fat around his waist.

«Do you wish him to bleed?» Serena put her glass down on the table.

«Sure. But try to refrain from breaking bones, please, if you can.»

«Father, this who…» Soren suddenly got swept off his feet with Serena jolting to him, grasping his neck.

A split second and the man went flying across the whole room and out the doors, crashing into a small table with some decorative vases that were standing there. The two men, who stood frozen at the doors, bowed to Killian and Serena, who dusted her palms with a smirk. Killian waved the men off and one of them dragged away the unconscious body of Soren, while the other one closed the doors.

«I beg your forgiveness.» Killian bowed his head to Serena and her men. «But I did promise my mistake of a son that no man will harm him and walk away unpunished. I never said anything about women.»

He glanced at Serena and smiled.

«Then I suggest you find a couple of girls as strong as I am to give him a beating every time he falls out of line…» the woman winked at Killian.

The man cackled:

«A wonderful idea, my dear.» he shook off the tension from his shoulders. «Now… back to business. To your question if Falana will come here and pay, this is of no importance, as she had offended one of the few people I am glad to call my friends. However… I do propose a little more caution, because the Sutherland boys might be up to something that can result in street wars. I don’t want that for my turf.»

Serena crossed her arms on her chest, thinking over something, then tilted her head:

«So what would you do in this situation then?»

«We can wait out their meeting. Watch and learn of their plans. And once they part ways, you can follow Falana. I am sure that if she is here, in this system, then she is stationed on the facility I gave her. You take care of her and I will take care of the Sutherland boys myself. It’s a win-win situation for the both of us.» Killian said.

«Then we can’t be seen, Killian.» Serena shook her head with a sigh. «She knows me. She knows… most of my men.»

Killian glanced at Hunter and Lindon:

«She knows you both, huh? Who else?»

«Wolfin.» Hunter nodded aside. «The big guy. Shaved head.»

«Wolfin…» Killian frowned. «Why do I know that name?»

«You might have run into him before. He said he used to work around here somewhere.» Serena finished her drink. «He didn’t mention if you two had beef, though.»

«Trust me, Siren, if I have beef with anyone, they end up dead in a ditch.»

«He’s not easy to kill.» Lindon twitched his brow.

Killian threw him a stern look:

«I would think so, considering he’s a Veluthian… just like you.»

For a second Lindon’s eyes grew tense.

«Relax, boy. I never give out secrets I can use for my own benefit. And I never betray friends. I know the weapons Veluthians use. Though, nowadays it seems that some of those blades can be purchased on the Black Market.» the man fell into thought. «Is that why you’re after Falana? She leaked your tech?»

Serena didn’t answer, but the way her eyes grew dark made Killian realise there was much more to the story that she hadn’t mentioned. He stepped to her and took her hand in his very gently, raising to his lips and planting a kiss.

Lindon stopped Hunter, when he flinched to come closer.

«My dear, I assure you, I am in no position to become your enemy.» Killian said to Serena, watching her eyes. «I give you my word. I know perfectly that you are capable of destroying everything I’ve built here. I am your faithful friend. Always.»

Serena leaned in to the man:

«I hope you know that if you betray me, I’ll come to claim your life in a heartbeat?»

«I do, Siren.» the old man bowed. «And I know that if it won’t be you, it will definitely be one of your… lovers.»

He glanced at the two men that stood frozen a few steps away from them.

«I’ll hold you true to your word, Killian.» Serena said, glancing at her hand, which was still in the old man’s gentle grasp.

«Like I said, we can both benefit from our arrangement. My interest here is getting possible trouble out of my way and helping you, as I remember well how much you’ve helped me in the distant past.» he looked at her portrait. «That’s why I hung the painting above my office door. To remind me who helped me build my empire and taught me how to be a better man… even in such a sin-filled colony as Garmfrig.»

Chapter 25. Siren’s Call

When they returned to the main hall of the establishment, Wolfin met Serena’s gaze and nodded to the bar. Once the woman took a look there, she saw a couple of men dressed in what looked like uniforms of the local police. Seeing where she was looking, Killian immediately tensed up:

«I beg your forgiveness, I have business to attend to…» the man leaned in to Serena and whispered. «If they’re looking for any of you, I’ll throw them off your track. Just stay in the booth for a bit.»

«I appreciate it, Killian.» Serena gracefully nodded to him, gesturing to her men to take their seats.

Lindon forced Hunter to sit further away from Serena — just to make sure that a cyborg won’t be so noticeable.

«Any trouble?» Wolfin met Lindon’s gaze. «Other than the two policemen there?»

«Our Serena has secrets none of us knew.» Lindon shook his head and took a sip from his tankard, carefully glancing at the policemen chatting with Killian.

«Oh?» Cipher twitched his brow, looking straight at their Captain. «You and Killian?»

Serena smiled at his assumption, but kept silent.

«So he’ll help us?» Taliesin, though a bit jumpy from seeing policemen in the Usual Place, tried hard to keep his head low. «Or…»

«Calm down. You’re looking suspicious…» Serena winked at the man.

Pher noticed the two policemen shaking hands with Killian and leaving his establishment. Once the two were out the door, Killian’s smile faded into a cold mask. For a second or two he seemed to be thinking about something, and then glanced at his guests.

Returning to them, he looked collected and calm, though something in his eyes made Pher think of some inevitable danger lurking somewhere nearby.

«Serena, my dear… let’s get you and your people out of sight…» Killian offered the woman his hand. «I have a perfect place to wait for Falana and her contact. I’ll even provide you with sleeping quarters if needed.»

Serena frowned a bit, but took his palm, getting up. Gesturing everyone to follow, she looked at her past lover with a frown:

«That bad?» she whispered.

«Everything’s fine, my Siren!» he smiled at her.

«Don’t lie to me, Killian. Your eyes are telling.»

The man smirked and shook his head:

«Never could fool you, could I?» he asked. «Three of your men are wanted for being Company deserters.»

«We have papers stating that they are out of Company jurisdiction.» Serena said, twitching her brow. «Or any other human jurisdiction for that matter. Except for one of the Laithorian Empire.»

«Darling, Garmfrig police care very little for any official restrictions.» Killian met her gaze. «After you left, they became more corrupt than ever. Right now they are only a slither away from being mafia. Though, they already act like one.»

Serena glanced back at Cipher, Hunter and Pher and noticed them frowning.

«Any idea why they thought looking at your place was a good idea?» the woman asked, returning her eyes to Killian’s face.

«I have some…» the man tilted his head. «But I will get to them in a bit, don’t worry. Right now I need to make sure you’re going to be safe with your… crew.»

Serena knew how badly Killian wanted to poke at Lindon and Hunter and call them her lovers. She smiled at this, remembering how much fun she used to have with this man. When they all ascended a set of stairs and entered one of the rooms located on the next level above the bar of the Usual Place, Killian smiled at Serena and waved towards the seats. The woman accepted his invitation and sat down, seeing how Killian snapped his fingers and a set of holographic screens appeared, showing every booth in his establishment.

«No way… you went through with it?» Serena smirked, meeting Killian’s teasing gaze. «And after all your ranting about honour and trust?»

«Not every man and woman have honour, my dear Siren. And trust must be earned.» Killian retorted. «I rarely use the information I get here… other than for my own benefit.»

«Anyone know about this?»

Killian averted his eyes, and Serena tilted her head, understanding that there could be at least one more person who might know about the surveillance installed.

«I suppose.» he answered a little hesitantly. «But not for long.»

«If you need any help, just say so, Killian. I’d gladly help you.» Serena smiled at the man.

He replied with a very warm and loving smile, his eyes becoming just as bright as they used to be years ago:

«My dear, rest assured that if I ever need help of a Veluthian warrior, I will call upon you. But for now, I need to help you sort out whatever matters you have. As they do correlate to my business as well.» he froze for a moment, frowning, and suddenly chuckled. «Falana is here.»

He tapped his wristband and the screens turned to one of the private booths, where Falana was seated. The woman seemed tense, worried and irritated, waving off the waitress.

«Stay here, watch, listen. The system will record the discussion for you.» Killian said. «But I need to appear before this bitch.»

Serena nodded and Killian bowed slightly, walking out.

Hunter followed the man with his eyes and after the door closed after him, the cyborg glanced at the Captain:

«You really trust him?»

«Not exactly, but…» Serena shrugged. «He and I had a… very intricate agreement before. I am hoping he will honour it.»

She looked at Falana, who was definitely on her edge.

«What sort of agreement?» Wolfin still felt agitated to see his named daughter be involved with a man like Killian Reph.

«I get to cut his heart out if he ever betrays me.» the Captain smirked. «And I’m not talking about having someone else in his bed, Wolfin.»

Taliesin decided not to ask, understanding that what little he knew about Veluthians was somewhat intriguing with their strange relationships and how they looked at them. For a moment, though, the man glanced at Serena with a strange thought — he did notice the way Lindon and Hunter acted around the woman and began wondering if they were both her lovers, just like Killian had mentioned.

«You have some nerve appearing here, Falana!» Killian’s voice sounded harsh from the screen.

Serena watched as he stood next to the table, towering over the woman and shooting daggers with his eyes. She loved seeing him like this when they were together.

«Whatever bullshit you think happened, you’re wrong. I had to go into hiding for a while.» Falana retorted. «And I couldn’t get you the money I owe you.»

«So you just decided to pop up out of the blue? I am not going to extend our deal.»

«I am here to offer you this.» Falana set a small box onto the table. «For the trouble. There’s enough in there to pay off what I owe you, plus interest.»

Serena leaned forward, seeing Killian flick the box open. She saw a long row of Veluthian cloaking bracelets and gritted her teeth, counting almost three dozen of them.

«We agreed on money, not trinkets.» Killian scoffed.

«These trinkets can get your men inside any building unnoticed. They cost hundreds of thousands of credits each on the Black Market. I assure you, there’s enough there to cover whatever I owe you, and then some more.»

Killian closed the box, picking it up:

«This won’t settle the debt, Falana. If you disappear again without a word, I will reclaim the facility I gave you. And the patrol that was keeping an eye on it all this time.»

Serena frowned, realising that Killian certainly widened the spectrum of his services over the years.

«Yes, well, for the time being you can recall the patrol. I’ll be using Helvette for a bit.» Falana said. «But I will need you to keep an eye out for some people for me and notify me if you come across them.»

«Oh?» Killian leaned in. «And how much are you willing to pay for that?»

Falana scowled and tore her necklace off:

«These crystals are a powerful energy source. You won’t be able to get them anywhere in this quadrant.» she said. «Your technicians can make extremely lethal explosives from them. Or use them in powering cybernetic enhancements of all kinds. The exoskeleton I gave you a while ago? It works on those. This necklace is enough to power twenty such exoskeletons.»

Serena threw a quick glance at Hunter, remembering the crystals in his cybernetic body. He had a number of them in his limbs and core.

«Very well…» Killian accepted the necklace. «Who shall I look for?»

Falana placed an information tablet on the table and moved it to Killian:

«These people.»

A few moments Killian studied the photographs and videos of Serena and her crew in silence.

«Sure. I’ll let you know if I come across them.» he finally said.

He looked aside and another man walked up — slim, short and boyish, he respectfully nodded to Killian and met Falana’s gaze.

«I am grateful for your services, Killian.» Falana said. «Now, be so kind and leave us. We have some matters to discuss.»

«Of course.» Killian nodded and walked off.

Lindon watched close as Falana and Darren Holler discussed deals that were made previously and what she wanted from the man now. They agreed upon delivery of some chemicals and materials, paid for by a set of exoskeletons, and this made the Veluthian start to worry — was Holler planning on doing something? Or just re-selling those to someone else?

It was then that Killian returned — silent and wary, approaching Serena from the back. Hunter watched him walking up to the woman and leaning in, clasping the necklace around her neck.

«I can’t accept this, Killian.» Serena got distracted from the screens.

«You can and you will.» Killian replied with a smile, handing her the box containing the cloaking bracelets. «Alongside with this.»

Serena glanced at her crew and stood up from the couch, stepping aside and pulling Killian for a private conversation. Hunter watched them talking quietly, and thought how close they could have been in the past if this gangster was still so eager to help Serena, no questions asked.

«They’re leaving…» Wolfin said, getting up. «We should follow them.»

Serena glanced at him and shook her head:

«Killian’s men will follow Darren, and we already know where Falana is going. We should wait a bit before leaving.»

Killian touched her shoulder and smiled when she looked at him:

«I am ready to give you any help you have asked and may require in future. Free of charge.» he bowed. «But… I do have a small condition.»

Serena tilted her head, frowning.

«What sort of a condition?» Hunter gritted his teeth.

«Sing for me. That way, if I die before you come back again, I will have the warmest of memories of your voice.» Killian smiled to the woman. «And your men will know how beautiful your songs are, my Siren.»

Serena glanced at her men, watching her closely, then sighed and nodded:

«Fine. One song.» she said.

«It is more than enough.» Killian bowed once again.

The man walked up to the wall and flicked on a screen, then input something and the computer spit out an information tablet containing the recording of Falana’s visit. Killian gave it to Lindon with a smirk.

«Shall we?» Killian gestured to the door. «I have already asked to close the entertainment hall for the night, so no one will bother us there.»

Serena touched the necklace he gave her and wondered if he wanted something more from her than just a song. Trying not to overthink it, she followed his lead until they all entered a spacious, dimly lit hall, where the Usual Place held its entertainment evenings with songs and dances.

He wasn’t lying — the whole hall was absolutely empty, even the small bar in the corner wasn’t manned at the moment.

«I do have one more thing to ask of you, Killian…» Serena said, glancing at the man. «Privately.»

He smiled, gestured aside and they walked off to a distant corner, where the others won’t hear them. Hunter, Wolfin and Lindon watched as Serena spoke with Killian and his face was calm and collected, until, finally, she said something that made his eyes grow wide. He threw a quick glance at her crew, and when he looked back at Serena, he took a few moments to reply. And though he seemed hesitant, he still nodded to whatever Serena asked of him.

Serena returned first — Killian falling behind to pass a message to his man, who stood behind the door to offer them some privacy. When the old man joined Serena and her crew again, there was a very heavy, awkward silence hanging over, as if the woman cut off any questions about her private conversation with Killian.

«So…» Killian gestured to the stage. «Care to sing me a song, Siren?»

Serena sighed again and ascended the stage, glancing around the collection of musical instruments that were displayed there — some in cases, others hanging on the wall.

«Scythian guitar?» Killian chuckled.

The woman glanced at him and nodded, her face calm. The old man pointed at the only closed case that stood at the far side, and Serena kneeled next to the case, opening it. For a moment she seemed to study the instrument with her eyes, before straightening and throwing the belt over her shoulder.

Turning to Killian and her crew she shook her head, touching each of the seven strings and listening in to see if the guitar was good enough to be played. When she made sure the sound came out as she needed, she slid a stool to the centre of the stage and sat down, falling into thought about what to play.

She glanced at her mentor, Hunter and Lindon and looked down, as if feeling uneasy. But her fingers touched the strings, making the instrument emanate a fine rhythmic melody that seemed like it was slowly gaining power, until Serena finally opened her mouth and began singing.

Hunter couldn’t help but raise his brows, hearing her singing about battle rage and bloodshed that was also definitely a story about some heavy times in a relationship of sorts. The words were so captivating and deep that he felt himself leaning onto his knees, watching her closely as she sang her heart out. He never knew her voice was so strong and capable of weaving beautiful songs into life.

Lindon, on the other hand, seemed to listen closely to the lyrics and the melody, rather than giving himself the luxury of being surprised at hearing Serena sing.

Wolfin looked like he was just enjoying the show, smiling proudly at his named daughter.

And Killian sat with his eyes closed, basking in the song, as if it was the only thing that could make him happy for the first time in a very long time.

Finally, Serena finished her song and her fingers slowly ended the melody, the whole room falling quiet. She raised her eyes to everyone and saw Killian smiling wide, opening his eyes.

«My dear Siren… you have made my heart happy again. Thank you.» Killian stood and bowed.

The woman stood up and returned the guitar to its case, then silently walked off the stage and to her men, who watched her with different grades of awe in their eyes.

Killian noticed a man walking up to them and stepped to him, taking a small case from his hands. Turning to Serena, Killian offered her the case, bowing:

«I hope this helps you reach your goal, Siren.» he said. «I will be hoping to see you again before I die.»

Serena nodded in reply and took the case:

«Thank you, Killian. For the warm welcome, information and help you have provided.»

She stepped closer to the man and embraced him with one arm, planting a soft kiss on his cheek.

«You and your crew are always welcome at the Usual Place, my dear. May your road be swift.»

Serena bowed to him and headed out.

Hunter and Lindon glanced at Killian for the last time, pushing down any comments they had, and followed the woman, as did the others.

Chapter 26. Mistakes

Killian sat behind his table and thought about all the mistakes he had done during his long life.

He glanced at the old-time notebook lying in front of him and thought if he should have given it to Serena before she left. The man didn’t know if he would ever see her again — especially if she was after Falana.

Killian knew how dangerous that woman was, and how short-tempered her associates always were — he had already dealt with the aftermath of a few such unexpected visits.

What added to his worry for Serena was the fact that his own son Soren was involved with Falana — she stayed with him a couple of times, taking the man as her occasional lover.

Killian understood perfectly that she was aiming to get his son on her side in case Killian will die and she would need their connections to continue her work and smuggling activity. He also knew that Soren was nowhere near capable of leading everything Killian had built in his lifetime.

His son was too spoilt, too short-tempered and too arrogant to be a good heir to the business.

It was a hard choice to make, but Killian knew it would be the best one. Otherwise not only Garmfrig, but the whole sector would come down with turf wars. The empire he built held together all the different families and space mafia that operated all around. If he were to disappear — his connections would still be active and the families would re-negotiate the new instances. But if Soren were to stand at the helm, his greed and arrogance will definitely start a war.

«Call Soren.» Killian contacted one of his men. «And Silt. I need to talk to them.»

The man put the notebook away and glanced up — at Serena’s portrait, reminiscing about the time when she posed for it and he had the luxury of having her there, while he painted her.

One of his most regrettable mistakes was letting Serena go. He always thought that if he was to tell her how he really felt towards her and how badly he wanted her by his side — they would have lived a long and happy life. He knew she would outlive him — after all, she was a Veluthian. But, at least, with her helping him every day he would have been able to avoid many other mistakes.

Like marrying Garta and having Soren.

Perhaps, it was long overdue to make a difference in that regard. But he still had an opportunity to fix whatever future he had ahead. Killian knew so many things, and yet he couldn’t help but think that Serena always knew much more. Even in the distant past she gave him so many different advices and ideas that he wasn’t simply in love with her — he almost worshipped her.

And when she appeared in his establishment after all these years, he felt this warm feeling returning to his long cold heart.

The man glanced at his cane and smirked.

Everybody hated this archaic thing — especially his late wife Garta — but for him it was something more than just means of helping himself walk. He didn’t need it for any reason, except showing his status and the absolute indifference to other people’s opinion. More than that, this cane was a perfect piece made from lightweight, but extremely hard metal that allowed him to have a weapon on himself wherever he went.

In rare cases where he needed it — the tiny button on the cane’s handle would activate the jagged spikes on the smooth sides of the cane, turning it into a powerful and extremely dangerous weapon. He remembered every person he killed with those saw-like spikes that ran through the whole length of his cane once activated. The list was small, but held names of those who have threatened him greatly — both in personal life and in business.

Killian couldn’t help but think of Serena — it was her suggestion to find a weapon like this in the first place. She was always great in her advice, when they knew each other over fifty years ago.

The man sighed, feeling regret creeping into his heart again.

Last time he let her go before she disappeared, she wasn’t too happy. She was irritated and angry at her father for arranging a marriage she didn’t want to be a part of. Perhaps, Killian thought, the very same marriage was the reason for her long disappearance?

He had to find out. And yet… he knew that if Serena wouldn’t wish it — she would never tell him what really happened.

He heard a faint knocking and straightened in his seat — just before the door opened and the two men he called walked in.

Soren looked pitiful — his neck was covered in a medical brace after the single blow he received from Serena, but in his eyes Killian saw hatred.

«Father!» Soren growled.

Silt — the right hand man Killian knew for many years, kept his comments to himself, as always. The man wasn’t very talkative — a valued trait in Killian’s organisation — and rarely went against Killian’s orders. The few times he did, however, it was rational and based off his thorough planning abilities. This man was always better at seeing things in the long run — something Killian sometimes lacked.

«Before any of you say anything…» Killian met Soren’s gaze with a smirk. «I have to say this: Soren, you have made a fool of yourself. This is not how I tried to raise you!»

«Oh, fuck off, old man! Any whore that raises her hand on me again will end up dead!» Soren scowled. «And I’ll start with the one who did this!»

«I see…» Killian sighed and stood, taking out the gun from under the table.

He had a few weapons stashed all around his office, always ready for any trouble during his usual business meetings. Soren scowled again, not a bit intimidated by the gun in his father’s hand. Killian looked at his son for a few moments then tilted his head, raising the gun at him and pulling the trigger.

The blaster pistol, set to the highest setting of an extremely heavy impact, blew the man’s head off cleanly, leaving his body standing for a split second before falling to the floor. Silt didn’t even flinch, although his neat grey suit was now covered in splatters of blood, brain and small shards of skull.

«Silt…» Killian set aside the gun and sat back down.

«Sir?» the only thing Silt did, was taking out a handkerchief to calmly wipe the blood off his face.

«I’m going to need you to change some things in the documents we’ve made some time ago.»

«Concerning?»

«The passing of power in case of my demise, my dear friend.» Killian smiled to his most trusted friend and advisor.

Silt glanced at Soren’s corpse and smirked:

«I see, you have decided to fix some of the mistakes you have made in the past.» the man said, meeting Killian’s eyes. «Good to hear, brother.»

«It’s a little more complicated than that.» Killian put his hand into one of his pockets and suddenly felt a frown appearing on his face.

«Is something wrong?» Silt immediately noticed this.

Killian grabbed the foreign objects from inside his pocket and took them out, seeing five small pendants that he last saw on the necklace he put on Serena’s neck not but an hour ago. He chuckled, raising his eyes to his friend:

«No, Silt. Nothing’s wrong. I was just surprised to receive an unexpected gift from a dear friend of mine.»

Silt tilted his head a bit, not understanding his boss’ cheery expression.

Killian sighed — Serena left him some of the precious stones as a way to say thank you for what he had done for her. He had forgotten how it was when she did that.

After she left him before disappearing — no one could ever catch him off-guard enough to slip something into his pockets unnoticed. But she could. She always did. And it warmed his heart to know that she was the only one capable of doing that.

Chapter 27. Helvette

Helvette. A raging and cold planet no one ever wanted to really claim. Hell to most, except for the few researchers that dared to set up a heavily reinforced laboratory on its surface. Embedded into a rocky cliff, this place had no other ways in or out, but the front, controlled by only one watch booth located inside.

The whole research facility could hold about 40 people, but was long forsaken as such — the heavy storms that raged 90% of the time on the planet’s surface made it almost impossible to see if the planet had to offer anything other than the rocky sands.

Serena looked at the wonderful and deadly storms appearing and disappearing on the planet’s surface and thought how dangerous it could be descending to the facility.

She understood the benefit of such a hideout for any criminal — the storms allowed anyone to be safe for their duration, hidden from most scanning systems that were issued on the usual human space ships. Veluthian ships, however, not only allowed to dive into the storms unharmed, but also had the ability to see through the raging winds and the dust that carried all around, blocking most scanners from working properly.

Having the precise location of the facility, all they needed was to descend during the storm to be hidden from sight from any of Falana’s associates.

Serena still didn’t know if the woman hired any more men, and wanted to stay cautious.

«You won’t be running off after Falana again, are you?» Wolfin asked, looking at their Captain.

«I’ve learned my lesson, Wolfin. And I’ve had time to calm my nerves.» Serena replied, shaking her head. «Don’t worry.»

«And we have a plan, right?» Lindon frowned, seeing Serena tense up a bit.

«Three groups. We’ll surround them, cut all possible exits and get rid of them all…» the Captain sighed. «Lyssa! Bring up the schematics Killian sent us while we were still on Garmfrig.»

«Of course, Captain.» the AI replied, showing the floor by floor plan of the whole facility.

«Wolfin, take the top floors. Laneth will provide you with step by step instructions to have the exits blocked behind you. This would allow us to keep Falana’s men from running.» Serena pointed at the top levels of the facility. «Move down from there, following suit of Lindon and his group. We keep contact at all times, so there shouldn’t be any problems in cutting the exits. Lindon will clear out everyone from the guard booth located here…»

She pointed at the gate-guards room, which had access to open or close all the gates located within the facility.

«If everything is done right, our cloaking devices won’t allow their cameras to see us. Whichever movement of the doors and airlocks opening and closing should be hidden with Laneth’s expertise doing whatever she does best…»

«Lyssa already helped me hack into their systems, so I will disguise your movement by a system failure and malfunction where needed. In other times they won’t even see you coming.» Laneth nodded. «Kayla will help me monitor the cameras to give you a heads up if you’ll be encountering people.»

«That’s right!» Kayla straightened, sitting behind one of the large screens.

«And you?» Lindon met Serena’s gaze.

«I’m going to the lower levels and will be moving up…» Serena said.

«Alone?»

«I’ll take Hunter with me.»

By the way Lindon glanced at Hunter, the cyborg knew how badly the Veluthian thought about this idea.

«And if he turns on you again?» Wolfin growled.

«I won’t.» Hunter pressed his lips together, angry at them still being so cautious.

«If he does… I’ll have to end his life.» Serena glanced at Hunter and saw his eyes becoming sad. «I think, he’ll be happy if I do it, and not one of you two…»

«I will, Serena.» the cyborg sighed, admitting that he would rather have her end his misery if Falana captures control over him again. «But I do hope you’ll be able to go through with it, if Falana takes over…»

Serena averted her eyes, suddenly becoming tense:

«If she does… I will do everything necessary, Hunter. Including killing you if there won’t be any other option left. I’m sorry.»

«Don’t be.» Hunter stepped up to her and gently placed his hand on her shoulder. «I’d rather die by your hand than hurt you ever again.»

The woman nodded, accepting his reply, and pat his palm.

«Get ready, choose your teams.» Serena said, taking a deep breath. «I still need to do something…»

She stepped away and Hunter followed her with his eyes before glancing at Wolfin and Lindon.

«Protect her with your life, you hear me?» Lindon approached the cyborg. «Or I’ll make your demise excruciatingly long!»

«Always, Lindon.» Hunter nodded to him. «I give you my word.»

«You’d better go through with it!» Wolfin growled under his breath.

The Captain walked through her ship with a very heavy heart. She heard what the men were talking about when she was leaving and it weighed on her that the steps she took with Hunter could lead to something she would rather not do. However, after all things done and said, she was certain that she was capable of pulling the trigger on Hunter, if Falana will manage to capture him under her control again.

Serena didn’t want that to happen at all, so she prepared thoroughly, having Killian supply her with something that was supposed to help her fight Falana and her thugs on a more even ground.

Whatever cards those might have up their sleeves, Serena was ready to go beyond her own capabilities to bring Falana down. The Captain walked into the weaponry and looked at the container she got from Killian. For a few long moments she stood by the door, before approaching it and freezing again, falling into thought.

Serena took a deep breath, looking at the container. She hoped to never use what was inside, but to face Falana — especially after all she’s done — she needed to be sure that this time nothing will stand in her way to complete the task.

Falana needed to be killed there and now, and Serena would risk everything to have it done.

«What are you doing?» Wolfin’s voice sounded behind her.

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