Page 18 of Stars in Halo

He patched his neural node into its virtual HUD cockpit.

All around him, the ship radiated with the pride of its owner and his love for racing.

His vessel blended the streamlined mystique of a regatta yacht with segment-leading technology on its dashboard, a prime seat position to poise optimum handling alongside a luxe cabin.

Its exquisite interiors were also mesmerising. He’d added fine detailing to the bulkhead joints and plates and had a team of specialists create leather-seamed panelling.

Despite all the luxe touches, this was a sleek warship with separate shield-control centres in a few locations deep inside the Tachy. This allowed command personnel to continue working even if the hull had been perforated.

The displays were intuitive and accessible at multiple stations by voice or gesture. Crew couches included strengthened restraints, including his own, a custom-designed seat with insets he’d crafted himself. Its headrest was embossed and embroidered with the Sable Group livery.

Several massive multi-dimensional holo screens show various maps, security feeds, and a virtual 3D landscape overlay of the external topography.

The lights transformed into a blue battle mood during combat to maximise vision.

The mechanical speedometer, as were the adroit machined aluminium-built levers and the threat alert toggle button, was a visual feast.

He’d tooled the features for manual piloting, but one of Mirage’s quantum nodes was always on hand to help navigate the ship when needed.

‘Permission to come onboard?’

He turned his hazel irises, ringed with glowing jade flecks, tagging the newcomer.

A solid, towering man in a dark-coloured Sable Group suit was taking a final step onto the bridge. ‘Brother.’

His guest was statuesque, as enormous and tall as Xion.

His long mane of ebony and gold locks whipped around his broad shoulders, his presence dominating the gunship.

His tanned skin, from his neck to his upper limbs and hands, was covered by gilded and azure nebula-like tattoos. The same iridescent sapphire and silver hues flashed on his beard, squared jaw, and full moustache. His forehead was a wall unto itself, the dark brows thick and unyielding.

It hid a brilliant mind and keen strategic prowess.

‘Boss khan,’ Xion grinned, standing to embrace the newcomer.

As their arms folded around each other, Xion was imbued with profound warmth.

Kainan Sable was Xion’s badass leader, close confidant, friend, and formidable protector. This was a man he’d give his life for in an instant and one he knew would do the same for him.

The love and respect between both men was palpable.

Kainan pulled out of the hug and tracked to the ship’s console, against which he leaned a muscled hip. ‘Got word you’re heading to Enia?’

‘Last minute, but urgent,’ Xion confirmed.

His khosi gave a huff. ‘Chasing your tail or chasing tail?’

‘Not you, too?’ Xion growled. ‘Why does everyone around here persist in assuming I’m all about tail or keep pushing me towards women and making the worst jokes possible about it? If anything, most of them make me miserable.’

His ire was palpable, and Kainan narrowed his eyes as he contemplated him. ‘We just want you to be as happy as we are. What happened to Lynira?’

Xion’s face fell. ‘Old news, kaka.’

His recent relationship had been with a high-maintenance, petulant Falasian beauty who sometimes made up for it in bed.

Until her tantrums and pouting got too much to handle.

He’d ended it and continued with his life, on occasion fooling with random ladies.

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