Page 47 of Sol Survivor

Chapter Seventeen

Year: 2219

Aboard the Aroagni.

Drafeleanedovertheholograph, tracing the pods’ paths to the origin.TheAroagnicircled Jupiter shrouded, not wanting other research or cargo vessels to spot them.The planet was truly a ball of gas.Nothing hovered close to its center or survived the gasses, and even though Ivoy planned to mine it, Drafe was nowhere closer to finding the source of the pods.

“Focus on the moons.”Aehort paused beside him.“A few are inhabited by humans.One of them might have more than meets the eye.”

“Like a secret base?”Drafe tapped the console and ordered a deeper scan of each moon as they traveled past it.He settled his gaze on the closest warrior.Awayar aac Caah Taed knew only of water and ice, his white hair and eyes blaring his origins.“Listen for communications not on the expected frequencies and crafts landing where they shouldn’t.Send a shuttle to capture a pod.Do not open it.”

“Acknowledged, Drafe Arrak.”

Drafe straightened and rested his hip against the table.Something felt odd, the whispers of his symbiotes were quieter than usual.

“What bothers you, Drafe?”Aehort studied him.Though, what went on in his brilliant mind was far beyond Drafe’s understanding.

“I cannot say.”He closed his eyes and imagined himself on Qaldreth, the sunlight on his face and the hardpacked salt plains beneath his feet.On his hip hung the familiar weight of his water pouch, and in his hand was his father’s sword.

“Gevatia, is this a cucooya?”

He lowered his gaze in his vision and smiled at Vic leaning against the tree.With suitable reverence, she cupped a blossom.She wore Qaldreth breeches and a tunic, and on her side was a water pouch marked with his symbol.More than this, she called him ‘beloved.’

An electric charge shot up his arm, whipping him out of the vision.He blinked at his smart band.Bringing his wrist to his lips, he answered, “Meorri aac Drafe Arrak.”

“Drafe?”

His breath froze in his lungs, and he grinned, too pleased to speak.Aehort nudged him out of his daze.“Yes, Vic.”

“I…I was going to ask you something, but I can’t put it into the right words.”She paused.“It’s good to hear your voice.”

“You are well?”Foq, she better be, or else he would hunt her down and save her.Human medicine had to be primitive, although, the work done on her mechanical limbs was almost on par with Ivoyan technology.

“I’m fine.Enjoying my job, and the food’s amazing.”The joy traveling with her voice saturated his heart.“How is your…task going?”

“Frustrating, but I am determined to finish this.”Then find you.He didn’t say the words but hoped she heard them anyway.

“I can’t wait.”

Foq, this was worse.He ached to hold her, to bury his nose in her sun-drenched hair and kiss her soft lips.

“I’m sending you my medical results.I hope it helps with your decision.Implants can be good and bad and can carryorganismsif not properly handled.”

He frowned at his smart band.Organisms?What decision?“I look forward to reading it.”Why is she speaking in riddles?Is someone eavesdropping?He cupped the band and faced Aehort.“Can we secure this connection?”

“Not at the moment.”Aehort touched the console and tapped the buttons.“The weakness is on her side.”

Foq.Drafe released his breath on a whoosh.“When and where will you be docking, Vic?I could meet you there.”

“You can?”She laughed.“I don’t know.Probably not for a long time.After all, I saw you days ago.Farg, it feels so distant.”That last bit she whispered.“Did you get my file?”

He glanced at his smart band at the document flashing.“Yes.Thank you for sending it.”

Then before she disconnected, she said, “I wish I was with you.”

He wasn’t sure he heard right but chose to believe he had.Before he could respond, she ended the call.He gritted his teeth, not liking how she’d left him with all these questions.

“She is not safe.”Aehort gestured to the smart band.“Share the file.”

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