Page 3 of Stars in Mist

Gazing into the plex mirror that took over one wall, he sent a series of commands to his metanoids.

Moments later, his appearance altered.

Gone was the renegade, who drew people’s eyes with his uncharacteristic long silver hair, bracing white irised eyes, and cryptic smile.

Erased was thekinaiwith a dangerous edge who bowed to no individual, yet somehow managed to enthrall with a quick wit and dry humor.

Absent was the smooth-tongued poet, the weapons specialist, the hacker, and the artful Edenite meta-warrior in equal measure.

Instead, his locks went up in a bun as they changed into a blue-black and silver hue.

He teased his beard into the same color.

His eyes altered to navy.

He darkened his skin to match that of the desert nomads of Northern Galicia.

He shifted the planes of his face to appear much older and more grizzled, then slipped into a space suit.

Torn and frayed in places, it affected a rundown look when, in fact, it was yet another layer of his disguise, for it had all the bells and whistles of a Sable meta uniform.

Standing in place of the former Rider was now a hoary and weathered individual—an unobtrusive worker who’d melt into any crowd and remain unforgettable to even the keenest mind.

‘Tell me more about our destination,’ Riv drawled as the walked onto the bridge.

Mirage turned and raked their glittering eyes over his guise. ‘I like what you’ve done. Mediocre, bog standard, and pedestrian, my friend.’

‘That’s the idea.’

Swiveling back to face the viewscreen, the quantum android continued. ‘Neron N13 is a fueling station masquerading as an asteroid. Originally built as a mining platform, it’s now a hidden stop for those in the know. ‘Tis what makes it perfect forkinaisin desperate need of a hideaway.’

‘Isn’t it a way-point beacon, funded by the profits from pit excavations, illegal and otherwise?’

‘Naam. Its outer shell has a passive watchtower, emitting a low-power warning when other ships and radio signals approach. The alert enlightens travelers of the perilous roiling nebula cluster ahead.’

‘Looks hardy,’ Riv murmured, peering at the station as they drew closer.

‘Tis. The builders of Neron N13 designed it as a rugged base to survive asteroid showers and solar flares. Its initial owners long stripped it of most equipment, or at least what was expensive and easy to transport, leaving an empty hulk. But not a dead one - its current residents have access to essential kit they’ve maintained to keep life systems going.’

‘I imagine it’s another hellhole packed with drunken miners and intoxicated engineers.’

‘That too. It’s a refueling depot for many pitmen and pirates, offering a few scant amenities. From a seedy asteroid motel to three watering holes, a bijou market, and food stalls. The station even has a hydroponic garden. A pirate consortium also runs a mingy brothel.’

‘So you think we’ll be able to find Ankis in there?’ Riv called out as he pulled together a getaway satchel.

‘Tis his last recorded stop. To find him or any word of him, you may need to comb through the five hundredkinaiswho call the place home and crowd its rabbit warrens of tunnels and through-ways.’

‘Or we’ll try a tavern, where I’m sure the sector’s notorious crims gather alongside traders peddling a plethora of illicit luxuries.

Mirage grunted. ‘I hear Neron N13 has some of the most infamous bootlegged ‘hol,koko,and top-quality rehydrated chow.’

‘You know this, how?’

‘I charmed the station AI who’s been whispering in my ear since we got into its orbit.’

‘They decent?’

Good enough. They run the docking and flight operations, making the place self-sufficient. When needed, it sends out drones to update any required new firmware and complete all repairs. I appreciate how generous they were with all the data on the best taverns, hotels, and sources of information you’ll need. Had to use some charm, though.’

---