Page 135 of Stars in Halo

‘You OK?’

‘I never thought I’d jump into space like that.’

‘Thank fokk you did,’ Xion growled, pulling back to study his woman.

He bent and took her lips.

She curled her hands into his locks to pull him closer, and they lost themselves in a long, overdue moment of passion.

The rush of adrenaline from the battle mixed with the raw intensity of their emotions, creating a potent cocktail that ignited a fierce longing between them.

Their kiss was desperate and hungry, feverish with relief.

When they broke apart, Xion’s gaze locked onto Katya’s, a silent exchange taking place that spoke volumes.

Their reunion was cut short by Mirage.

‘Will you two lovers join me on the bridge? I need to know what we’re doing after Kisan has boarded Akira’s freighter.’

Xion sucked his teeth. ‘Dammit, I can’t wait for this to be over.’

With one last lingering look at Katya, he released her from his embrace, took her hand in his and led her up the stairs to the controls.

‘Mirage, parse back some power to Akira’s ship and hack their comms so we can transmit image and sound. I want to hear this bastard get read his rights.’

Moments later, the holo display on the Tachy was transmitting live footage of the chaos and confusion on Akira’s bridge.

Kora’s panicked attempts to restart the Clawed Vengeance were futile against the organised assault of the Sable Riders’ metanoids that had gutted the ship’s mechanics.

On the Tachy, Xion and Katya, seated on the Rider’s lap—gazed with dispassion at the Corvette’s view screen.

A feed showed Kisan and two other Eden II guardians boarding Akira’s ship.

When Kisan reached the Clawed Vengeance’s control room, he encountered an irate pirate shouting at his navigator, Kora, screaming for her to get the engines up and running.

She, in turn, was shouting at their unseen engineer, hollering down the intercom.

The Edenites were met with a burst of laser fire from the Claw’s security man, Grav.

He soon realised he was powerless against the Edenites and their unmatched weapons.

Falling to his knees, he surrendered with fists crossed on the back of his head.

Kora also gave up trying to restart the ship’s systems under Akira’s panicked antics. ‘It’s too late. Our engines are gone,’ she growled at him, throwing up her hands in capitulation.

Observing from the Tachy, Mirage smiled, leaning back in their chair in satisfaction. ‘Hell yeah, our metanoids are the gift that keeps giving.’

On board, the Clawed Vengeance, Akira glared as the Eden II Guardians secured the vessel and trussed his crew.

The once-confident privateer muttered, stomping around his bridge, furious at his new reality. Kisan stood, arms crossed over his chest, smirking at the pirate’s threats and bravado.

After a beat, the Rider stepped up to the freebooter when his tantrum subsided, speaking through his helmet. ‘You quite done now? Akira Claw, you are being held for crimes against the sovereign government of Eden II on charges of conspiracy to commit theft, murder, and kidnapping. We’re also charging you and the crew for sabotage and endangerment of innocent lives. That’s just the pinnacle of the offences you’re facing for all your misdeeds in the past that you’ve managed to run from. However, we Edenites get first dibs, and you’re lucky, friend, for we’re fairer than others who are screaming blue murder for your head.’

Akira’s jaw clenched in silent fury as he glared at Kisan.

Despite his restraints, he tried to jump the Rider, a predator backed into a corner. ‘Fokk you,’ Akira growled, seething with venom.

He swivelled his head to the holo screen where the silhouettes of Xion and Katya loomed over him. ‘Fokk her in particular,’ he continued. ‘Rider, backing that woman is a huge mistake; she’s a liar and a fraud. She will use you to gain what she wants. She’ll treat you like she did me, even to the point of taking my daughter away from me.’

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