It was over. The assassins were dead beyond a shadow of doubt. The Dalatrass was alive, just unconscious. Devlon Industries’ involvement remained a secret. And yet, Astau was growing tenser by the second, his fingers flying faster and faster over the keys.
Saren checked the Dalatrass’ bandage once more, then joined him at the door. “Everything okay, sir?”
Continue reading [50]“We have an office?” He catches up with Saren in three hurried steps. “We need an office?”
Saren doesn’t even turn his head. “I imagined you would have already found it.”
“Hey, I don’t play hide-and-seek. Not often, anyway.” He tugs on Saren’s sleeve. What’s the hurry, dammit? “So where is it?”
“Up ahead.”
Continue reading [49]“Oh, so we talkin’ about me.” Galea gives him a hooded, sideways glance, and knocks back her glass. “Aren’t you adorable.”
“I’m trying.” He laughs. Waves away the shroud-like smoke. The batarian in the corner is rolling some loose greens in a broad, leathery leaf. His eyes seem glazed over, and so do his girlfriend’s.
Continue reading [48]“My mama walks the streets so it’s fine
I won’t be forever young but I’ll be forever kind
Tender eyes oh tender lips
Let’s run away to where stars shine…”
The streets are heavy with fumes. Sweat. Excrement. The unmistakable stink of rotten dextro food is making him queasy. The air hums — the life support on this station is old, and prone to giving out once in a while. Whole sectors vented. That’s why he’s never out of his mag boots, why he always has a mask tucked away somewhere. Half of those “incidents” are planned, after all.
Continue reading [47]They huddled in the semi-darkness. The sandstorm was still howling outside. The thick mud walls of their temporary shelter shook every once in a while, accompanied by heavy thuds.
Saren flipped the unconscious woman onto her side with his foot.
“What do we do with that lot?” Galea asked.
He knelt to examine the children. Nihlus shuffled nervously on the spot. The sore topic has finally been broached.
Continue reading [46]They sit in silence, watching the credits roll. For some reason, he has one arm around Nihlus and zero ideas about how it got there. And the bowl of berries is half-empty.
“That was so good.”
Continue reading [45]