Hefri sat at the doorway to the ship, while the botanist stayed inside and racked his brain over the repair of the damaged engine. The Celestian woman stared at the distant buildings behind the raindrop curtain, waiting for Erilaz and Andvari.


    Even though she trusted their fighting and survival skills, she couldn''t dismiss her worry about them. She didn’t know if the chilly wind or the unease caused the feeble goosebumps on her skin. Thoughts of their well-being and a nagging sense of threat loomed over her mind, and even the monotonous swoosh of rain didn’t let her calm down.


    Somewhere among the sough of rain, Hefri picked up a dull, quiet thud. She stood up and peeked outside. A few ships rested on the airfield on the left, just as before. Water splashed against their surface, forming a cloud of drops above them. On the right, only one vehicle stood in the distance, and the brick-red buildings behind it took a dark mahogany tint. Light emanated from three windows and the curtains moved sometimes, as if the residents spied on Hefri and her companions.


    As she stepped back to hide from the rain, two masked individuals jumped in front of the hatch. Hefri flinched and gasped, leaning forwards and clenching her fists.


    “What the hell!?” she growled when a Celestian and a Nelphian drew their guns.


    A sudden jolt of adrenaline shot through her body, sending shivers down her spine. Her breath stuck in her lungs for a second, while her muscles tensed up to prepare her for a fight. Despite the ominous feeling in the pit of her stomach, a rush of energy fuelled her body with strength and confidence.


    “I like this ship,” said the Celestian. “Are you alone?”


    A deep breath let Hefri regain composure. Since she had no chance against two armed opponents, she decided to wait for a right moment. She raised her hands, glancing at the corridor on her right. It led to the engine room, where the botanist checked the damaged engine. She could only hope that he wouldn''t peek out to check what had caused the noises.


    She looked at them again and raised her eyebrow. “Yes.”


    “Sounds good.” The Celestian motioned to the Nelphian to get in. “Move!” he added, glaring at Hefri.


    Hefri sighed with spite and backed away towards the cockpit. The Nelphian entered the ship first, and the Celestian followed him.


    As the Nelphian began to search the ship, the Celestian interrupted, “hold on.”


    Hefri halted, looking questioningly at him. The Nelphian stopped too, aiming at her again.


    “Don’t waste our time and tell us if you have something valuable here.”


    “Me?” She twisted her mouth. “Look at me. Do I look rich to you?” She waved her hands to draw their attention to her rumpled flannel shirt. “I can’t even afford fancy clothes.”


    “Soon you won’t need them too,” muttered the Celestian and marched towards her. “Where’s your valuable stuff!?”


    This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.


    The Nelphian followed him at a leisurely pace, as if a job like this was his bread and butter.


    Hefri backed away even faster to keep a distance between her and the assailant. “Leave me alone, I told you I have nothing!” she barked, baring her teeth.


    As she crossed the doorway to the cockpit, she looked over her shoulder. The control panel was just a few long steps away from her, and the icon of closing the door shined on the screen. Despite this, her logical thinking quickly tamed this idea. Such a sudden move could provoke the two robbers with guns.


    Hefri passed between the two back seats, and then between the front seats. When her tights brushed against the edge of the control panel, a spark of fear ignited within her. Caught into a space with no way out, she craned her neck and tensed her hands along her body. Her eyes zipped across the cockpit, yet she didn’t spot any way out. The suffocating grip of anxiety tightened its hold around her stomach. The weight of helplessness descended upon her as she grappled with the lack of control over her circumstances. Her every arduous breath and every rapid heartbeat only amplified her sense of being trapped like an animal in the cage.


    The Celestian strengthened his grasp around the grip of the gun, and his finger on the trigger trembled even more. “You don’t want to speak. Fine. Just don’t scream when I...”


    He swirled on his heel as a dull but loud thud and a furious growl echoed right behind his back. His companion plummeted to the floor with a bluish mushy hole at the top of his skull. The botanist stood behind, lifting a large hammer and aiming at the Celestian. His usually calm and apprehensive face now expressed only spite and wrath, his narrowed eyes glaring at the enemy.


    Hefri charged at the Celestian, his gun directed at the botanist. In this second, a fiery rage consumed every fibre of her being. Adrenaline coursed through her veins, igniting her primal instinct to fight. Her vision narrowed, focusing solely on the enemy Celestian. She held her tensed fingers outstretched, the tendons on the tops of her hands taut as a string.


    Right when she jumped at him, he pulled the trigger. The roar of the gunshot resounded in the whole ship, and the bullet pierced the botanist’s neck inside out. A spurt of blood gushed out of his artery, while Hefri knocked the gun out of the Celestian’s hands. Engulfed in ferocious fighting zeal, she fired a salvo of five bullets, shattering the enemy’s face into a red-pink pulp.


    The enemy Celestian collapsed, his blood and chunks of his flesh turning the floor into a red, slippery puddle.


    Only after a few rapid breaths, Hefri understood what happened. She raised her head, her stare fixing on the dying botanist. A wave of shock froze her in disbelief like a lightning strike. Her mind raced, trying to make sense of what she has just witnessed, but the shock had slowed down her logical thinking.


    “No, hold on!” she cried, jumping over the dead enemies.


    As she dropped to her knees and caught the falling botanist, the spark of life nearly faded from his eyes. She gripped his shoulders and shook him gently, blood splashing on her shirt.


    “Daughters,” he stuttered out, closing his eyes. “Wife…”


    “No, no, I’m sorry!” called Hefri when his head drooped limply.


    The weight of regret pressed on her chest, hindering her already shallow breath. A sharp pang stung her heart, her hands trembling uncontrollably. Despite the cooler air, sweat dripped down her forehead, reminding her of what could have happened if the botanist hadn’t stopped the intruders. This haunting realization echoed in her head, silencing her common sense.


    Since she knew he couldn''t help him any more, she placed his lifeless body on the floor. Shaking her head, she stood up. Even though she still stared at her companion with pure sorrow on her face, her shock subsided and the Vardir’s instincts sobered her up.


    “You… you served us well.” Turning her head away from this sight, she added, “you served Helvetto well.”


    She ran into the cockpit, avoiding looking at the floor, and tapped all icons that could lock any door. Then she slumped to the nearest seat and bored her stunned sight into the illuminator.