Page 44 of Stars in Nova

The man curled his lips in contemplation. ‘The word from the Fringe is that Orilia XIV is under lockdown. There’s been unrest. The Vaelorii don’t often stray from their pacifism, but desperation can make even the meek act out.’

Kisan’s jaw tightened. ‘Unrest? Do you know why?’

The shadowed form shifted, his voice lowering. ‘No details. Comms have been sporadic at best. And on Skardis, the entire network’s been down for weeks. Rumors suggest blockades, something disrupting the usual flow of information. If someone is targeting Orilia, they’ve gone to considerable lengths to keep it quiet.’

Kisan cursed under his breath, the hum of the Cephei’s systems filling the silence. ‘Skardis? That’s a few million klicks away.’

‘It’s on the northern rim of Pegasi, in an axis with Orilia XIV, which tells me this ain’t a fluke.’

‘Indeed,’ Kisan muttered.

‘You and I survived the Fringe. The one thing I remind myself of every day in this haunted place is that very little happens. When it does, it’s never a coincidence,’ the mystic man said.

He raised a hand, his long fingers curling around the shifting metanoid ink that depicted a swirling Paladian design across his upper chest. ‘There’s a stirring in the badlands, Kisan. Something darker than the usual chaos. I can’t tell you what it is, but I can feel it, like a storm brewing just beyond the horizon.’

Kisan’s stomach twisted. ‘You’re talking in riddles, monk.’

The man chuckled, the sound dry and humorless. ‘Not a monk. Riddles are all I have. Out here, clarity is a luxury. But I’ll tell you this: tread with care. The Fringe doesn’t forgive. Whatever is forming on Orilia XIV, it’s not just a local disturbance. I suspect it’s part of something larger.’

The man’s shadowed face turned as if gazing into some unseen distance. ‘Something dark. A tide rising in the void. If Orilia is involved, it’s more than provincial unrest. What are you after on Orilia anyway?’

Kisan’s face darkened, and he cursed under his breath.

‘Vengeance then,’ the man halfway across the galaxy grunted. ‘Or a treasure hunt?’

‘Bit of both, in some form,’ Kisan confirmed, fists clenching, his emerald eyes narrowing. ‘I require more than suspicions, brother. If I’m walking into a trap, I need to know.’

The man sighed. ‘I wish I could help you. However, out here, even the whispers are faint. All I can encourage toward extreme wariness.’

Silence stretched between them, the hum of the Cephei’s engines filling the void. Kisan’s digits drummed against the console, his mind racing.

The man’s hand lifted, the rings on his fingers glinting in the holo light as he kissed the tips.

His voice took on a sardonic edge. ‘May the stars watch over you, Kisan Sable. Nevertheless, I suspect you’ll demand more than celestial intervention in the wastelands of the Fringe.’

Kisan smirked despite himself. ‘Pray for me, vagus,’ he rasped. ‘The badlands aren’t forgiving.’

The man’s laughter was a dry whisper. ‘You’ve never needed prayers, my friend.’

The Rider hissed, letting some of his present bitterness shine. ‘I need them more than you know, so please offer them regardless.’

‘Will do. Though I imagine you’ll manage to survive, as you always do. I’ll leave it to the heavens to decide whether it’s by grace or stubbornness.’

‘Need to hang up,’ the Rider grumbled. ‘Or I won’t be able to explain the call or shut down time to the AI.’

‘Can’t believe you permitted that particular abomination to come even within a meter of you,’ the man on the other end growled.

Kisan sucked his teeth. ‘Let it go, brother.’

‘Never.’

Kisan sighed. ‘Fine. Promise me you’ll show up if I reach out to you for your aid?’

The man brightened, mouth smirking. ‘No question, I’ll come to your rescue, summer child of mine. I’m getting bored with harvesting grapes, bottling bourbon, teachingkalikrimakapoclasses, and reading the ramblings of long-gone philosophers. I’m thirsting for some action. I’ll bring a case of my best brew with me.’

‘Grateful.’

‘I’ll also wear a face void and keep my noids working 24-7 so your AI doesn’t catch me out.’

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