Page 99 of Guardian's Destiny

We docked with Princess Luph's ship and were welcomed with open arms. The entire gang was there. Thankfully, the cargo hold was big enough for everyone.

"I missed you," Zoe said when she hugged me.

"You better not sneak away like that again," Hannah added with a pretend scowl on her face that melted the moment I embraced her. Even Nova gave me a tentative hug. Luph's arms wrapped around me as if she never wanted to let go again. I laughed, but deep inside, I was touched by their care. We had only known each other for a few days before Vraax and I left, yet they were like a family to me.

The men did their manly hug thing, and despite Vraax's growl, I embraced Nock wholeheartedly. The holostreamer had grown on me, especially while we were gone.

"Let's go talk in the breakroom. Luph made some delicious?—"

"Nova?" I had asked Tucker to stay back on our ship for a moment until we could get the expected greeting frenzy over with, but apparently, he had grown impatient as he emerged from the hatch.

"Tuck—Tucker?" Nova's face turned pale as a sheet, and she swayed for a second on her feet. Zaarek was instantly at her side, but she waved him off, as she walked toward Tucker as if she'd seen a ghost.

"Hey, sis." Tucker greeted her, but his hallmark grin was off-kilter.

The slap Nova delivered to his cheek was loud and resounding. "Asshole!"

"I guess I deserved that," Tucker allowed, rubbing his cheek.

Tears streamed down Nova's face as she shook her head as if in denial. Tucker grabbed hold of her and pulled her against his chest. "I'm here, sis. I'm sorry."

Vraax moved toward Zaarek to hold him back, fully understanding what the other Space Guardian was going through. I heard him mumble something about sister, and Zaarek relaxed some. Not much. He still looked coiled to rip Tucker's head off, but he was allowing Vraax to stay him.

"Let's go into the breakroom and give those two a moment," Hannah suggested cheerfully, clapping her hands to get everyone's attention. Gently, Vraax steered Tharaax out of the room. Zaarek kept looking over his shoulder, but he went with Vraax.

As usual, the breakroom was already set with snacks and drinks; Luph and Hannah had really outdone themselves again. Even after the much better food Silla had sent with us, this spread looked delicious, making my mouth water.

We took our seats, and Vraax and I filled the others in on our adventures and discoveries. Vraax squeezed my hand under the table when I told them about Zapharos. Yes, I had been sworn to secrecy by the emperor, but my loyalties were to these people here now, my new family, or old family, if Zapharos was to be believed.

"Wow, so you were Solaana?" Hannah asked.

I nodded. "It appears so. Zapharos said our names are in the Soulweb Glyphs on our legs."

Hannah looked suddenly more than triumphant. "Oh, they are," she nodded enthusiastically and jabbed Nock in the side, who was taking notes on his comm.

"What? Oh," Nock said, fiddling with his comm. He projected an image to the wall that looked like a female leg. He pointed at the lines and swirls. " Solaana, meet Suahaana."

"Me, "Hannah laughed.

"You guys figured it out already?" I was speechless.

"Kind of. Well, Nova and Luph deciphered the Soulweb Glyphs, and from there, we figured that whole reincarnation thing out, and from what you said about this guy Zapharos, it all makes sense." Hannah nodded at Nova as she and Tucker joined us.

A lively debate about reincarnation, fate, and what all this meant ensued until Noodar drummed his fist on the table tomake us all stop. "Alright, let's talk about the next steps. We have the required three Ohrurs, so I say we go to Darlam and see what we can find there."

"The Ohrurs have already increased their patrols around the planet. I say we need to get more Space Guardians on our side,” Tharaax countered. "Hannah has already contacted some, and three are on their way here. I say we wait until they reach us."

"There is plenty of us, and once we're on Darlam, they won't find us that easily," Noodar insisted.

"We should take the few Ohrurs patrolling out, that would send a message," Zaarek threw in.

"Now, hold on, who made you the boss?" Noodar's fist hit the table again.

"I'm not taking any orders from any of you," Zaarek asserted.

The men glared at each other, ready to start a physical battle.

"Enough!" I yelled in my most commanding voice.

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