Page 111 of Stars in Halo

Diamond Nights and Ruby Lights

The Tachy angled and banked, slowing its trajectory as it prepared to land.

Far below, Eden II was a gem hanging off a string of pearly stars surrounded by a spherical halo of illuminated gas embedded in an even larger circle of invisible dark matter.

Xion imagined the mass at Pegasi’s centre, ever amazed at how this galaxy revolved around a powerful gateway to nothingness.

In its immediate surroundings was a close-packed region known as Pegasi’s bulge. Sprinkled within were globular clusters, collections of ancient celestial bodies, and forty dwarf galaxies orbiting or colliding inside the spread-out universe.

He heard a small gasp from behind him.

Turning, he tagged his woman, gazing in awe at the sight of the System’s brightest star and twin sun, Alphetraz, which formed one corner of the Square of Pegasus, once with a constellation designated δ–Peg.

‘Although it appears to the naked eye as a single entity, it’s a binary system composed of two stars in near orbit.’

‘I’ve never come so close to it,’ Katya breathed. ‘It’s like looking into diamond nights and ruby lights high in the sky.’

‘Well said. Sling-shotting over Alphetraz is the best way to come in over the rock,’ Xion rasped. ‘The finest homecoming every fokkin’ time.’

He glanced at her face awash with starlight and jolted at her beauty. ‘Did you know our double star-sun is also called Sirrah, as well as surrat al-faras, which means the navel of the mare horse and corresponds to the winged Pegasus? Some believe that those blessed with its light can enjoy a promise of long life, love, honour and riches.’

The pair exchanged a smile as Xion wrapped an arm around Katya’s waist and tugged her close to him. He pressed a kiss to her temple.

‘You ready, khaliya? We’ve got a hella lot to accomplish ahead.’

‘Bring it on,’ she smiled. ‘That said, I don’t want to leave this ship. I’ve enjoyed this, us, these last few days. ’

Her face flushed as she spoke, and she ducked her head at the unexpected emotion of the moment.

Xion slid a finger under her chin and lifted her face.

‘For what it’s worth, I don’t want to leave either,’ he growled. ‘When this is all over, we’ll plan to get away somewhere where we can forget all the troubles of our universe.’

He saw a cloud pass her eyes.

So he leaned in and dealt with it. ‘Perhaps your kids can join us too.’

Katya’s eyes lit up, and a slight curl formed on her lips. ‘Really? All thirteen of them? Think you can manage with your sworn bachelor mindset?’

‘We can start in micro-doses,’ he conceded with a twitch to his brow. ‘But if they’re anything like their mother, I’m sure they’ll have me wrapped around their fingers in seconds. Now, strap in, woman. We’re coming in to land.’

Katya gazed up at a soaring tower.

The ground and second floors of the 360-degree high glass and chrome structure featured gleaming speedsters and racers displayed within the elevated glass façade.

She twisted her head even as Xion’s flyer raced up the building. It touched down with lightness at a small terminal, a crystal-ringed reception, and a waiting foyer under the building’s eave.

She glanced outside at the extensive landing pad. A sleek passenger shuttle was parked on the tarmac and take-off area.

Droids rolled about, manipulating the air traffic control screens and ops.

A late afternoon light drenched the terminal, bouncing off the small fleet of high-tech flyers, racers and pinnaces parked in neat bays.

‘Welcome to the roof terminal at Sable HQ,’ Xion drawled.

He unfolded his tall, imposing form from his flyer and helped her out.

She took his hand and stepped down with a sigh, gazing at the architecture and clean lines of the space. ‘This is incredible.’

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