Page 127 of Stars in Halo

Without hesitation, he knelt and, with a surge of strength, lifted the wreckage off the man.

‘Can you stand?’ Xion urged as he helped the wounded man.

The man nodded, wincing in pain but grateful for Xion’s help. ‘Sante,’ he breathed out before limping towards the lobby exit.

Xion didn’t pause to bask in gratitude; instead, he scanned the area for more people needing assistance.

Amidst the screams and gunfire, he spotted a group of visitors huddled behind a toppled table. With a burst of speed, Xion approached them, his gaze fixed on their terrified faces.

He leapt over the fallen objects, dived under low-hanging flyer debris, and slid past the crumpled bodies of subdued security personnel.

Reaching the stricken guests, crouching in front of them. ‘It’s okay; you’re safe now.’

He helped each one up, guiding them towards the exit before returning to survey the scene again.

The attacking ship, he guessed either an ALMQ gunship or one of Akira’s corvettes, had long since left orbit.

The police flyers were mangled and smoking at the entrance of the resort, but from what he could observe, most of the officers were OK, a few wounded but walking.

With no further time to dedicate to the rescue cause, he strode back to the accommodation wing.

He cleared his room, gathered his belongings and equipment, and, ensuring he had everything, headed to Katya’s suite.

His metanoids hacked the door code in seconds, and he moved inside, packing her gear up.

While he did, his mind raced with thoughts of her safety.

He had to catch up to her and give her the freakin’ backing he’d promised.

With a quick scan of the room, he made sure nothing important was left behind before shouldering the bag and heading towards the door.

As he stepped out into the chaotic hallway, the sounds of gunfire and screams still echoed through the air.

Xion navigated through the debris-strewn corridors of the hotel.

The stomp of footsteps hit his ears, approaching from around the corner.

He ducked into a nearby alcove as a group of Zanyrian security officers hurried past, their weapons drawn and expressions grim.

Mirage, he called out via his node. Where are you?

The Sable AI replied. I’m dropping to a side road behind the establishment.

Good. We must hustle to catch up with Akira and the D’Hanna siblings before they get to Eden II.

The Tachy - Rider - is one of the fastest ships in all of Pegasi. It won’t be a hardship, and don’t fret; I’ve got her in my sights.

Fokkin’ keep her there.

Once the security sweep had passed, Xion emerged from his hiding spot. He continued to the exit, slipped through and headed towards the abandoned service thoroughfare where his sleek vessel awaited.

The rear deck lowered.

He leapt onto it as the doors closed and re-pressurised.

The Rider secured his gear in the secure hold and hung up his weapons.

He took the stairs to the bridge three at a time.

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