Page 50 of Marked By the Bounty Hunter

She turned into my touch, our bond humming with renewed strength. And for the first time since I’d carried her broken body to safety, I let myself believe we’d actually succeeded.

Time to see what my fierce little bartender had become.

NALINA

The first thing I noticed was scent - Tyrix’s familiar musk mixed with the metallic scent of the station air and... something else. Multiple presences nearby.

My eyes snapped open. Too fast - the sudden influx of visual data overwhelmed my new abilities. Colors blazed impossibly bright, every shadow held intricate detail. I squeezed my eyes shut again with a groan.

“Take it slow,” Tyrix murmured. His hand found mine, our bond thrumming with reassurance. “Let each sense adjust naturally.”

I tried again, more carefully this time. The storage bay came into gradual focus - utilitarian walls, scattered crates, the narrow bunk where I lay. And gathered around it...

“Kell!” My voice came out rough. The Zeqnid’s mandibles clicked rapidly - his version of a relieved smile.

“Welcome back.” She pressed a container into my hands. “Water. You’ll need it.”

The simple act of sitting up revealed how different my body felt - stronger, more precise in its movements. I sipped slowly, cataloging changes. My skin tingled where purple markings nowadorned it, matching Tyrix’s own. When I breathed in, countless new scents painted a vivid picture of my surroundings.

“Nalina.” Vami stepped forward, and my breath caught. Beside her stood a small figure - Netu, restored to health. The child’s empathic presence glowed warm and bright, no trace remaining of the Consortium’s corruption.

“You found her.” My voice cracked. “You got her back.”

“Thanks to you.” Vami drew Netu closer. “Thanks to all of you.”

I reached for the child’s hand, marveling at how clearly I could now sense her emotional state - joy, relief, lingering traces of fear being steadily replaced by hope.

“The other children?” I asked.

“All recovered.” Odra’s voice came from the doorway as he entered. “Being reunited with families now. The compound worked exactly as intended.”

I let my new senses take in his appearance - his skin shifting through subtle patterns that spoke of exhaustion and satisfaction. “Casualties?”

His colors darkened. “Eight security officers. Too far gone by the time we reached them. And Dr. Gondon...”

“She chose her path,” Tyrix said quietly. “Destroyed the lab. All their research data. Made sure they can’t rebuild here.”

She’d found her redemption after all.

“The station?” I switched my focus to practical matters.

“Recovering.” Odra gestured expansively. “Power systems stabilizing. Most affected sectors already showing improvement. But...” He hesitated.

“But?”

Tyrix’s hand tightened on mine.

“You’ll need to leave soon,” Kell said quietly. “Once the Consortium realizes what happened here...”

I nodded, surprised by how little the thought pained me. The station had been my home for years, but now... I glanced at Tyrix, feeling his presence warm and steady through our bond. Home had taken on a different meaning.

“The bar-” I started.

“Is in good hands.” Kell’s mandibles clicked firmly. “I’ve been running it half the time anyway, these past weeks.”

A wave of dizziness hit as I tried to stand. Tyrix steadied me, concern flowing through our bond.

“She needs rest,” he told the others. “Time to adjust.”

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