“Ugh…”

  Robin woke up with a groan. His throat was dry and his head had finally stopped pulsing with pain. After slowly sitting up, the first thing Robin noticed was the utterly destroyed defense camp of the Eltaran’s waystation. He was lying on a stretcher under the open sky, all around him were remains of smoldering tents and parts of exploded electronics.

  “Burn in Plasma…” He muttered as he tried to remember the last moment before he had passed out, “My mutation erupted again, didn’t it? Damn, this time it was even intentionally… more or less.”

  “Intentionally or not, you saved my life. Have my gratitude, captain.” A voice said from behind.

  “Ang’Tue! How are you? Is everything okay? How are the others? What about the commander-dude?” Robin asked, trying to remember that guy’s name, “O’Tak…?”

  “Ul’Tak, he survived and is already back on his feet, organizing the camp’s cleanup and subsequent removal.” The old man said with a genuine smile, “I’m fine and the others are also doing well. Happy is on her way here and Alena is collecting the armor plates. The wolf-kin is heavily injured and will need some time to recover. The Eltaran have relocated him to the waystation already.”

  “The fight is over? Has the enemy retreated?” Robin asked and when he got a confirming nod he looked from his comrade back to the camp, which resembled the scene from an apocalyptic movie.

  “That’s good… but damn, I really overdid it.” He said and turned to Ang’Tue again, “Any casualties from my attack?”

  “Nothing that couldn’t be fixed with a recovery stim,” the Eltaran chuckled. “The effect you have on Cetro, who have modified bodies and practically merged with technology, is much more extreme than on other people. Aside from some serious psychological trauma, it mostly were small wounds and burns from electronics that exploded in their hands and pockets.”

  Robin nodded and tried to process what had happened.

  ‘I used that skill or ability intentionally this time. It’s not that it wouldn’t have gone off later anyway, when the intensity of my headache is a reliable indicator, but this time I actively tried to stir whatever is slumbering within me.’

  Carefully standing up, not sure if his legs were ready to carry him, Robin took a deep breath and closed his eyes.

  ‘I need to get to the bottom of this,’ he decided. ‘As of now, I have little control over it and will not be able to prevent another outbreak. What if it happens while I’m on a ship in space?’

  Opening his eyes again, Robin clenched his fists.

  “I’m a risk to myself and anyone around me,” he said to Ang’Tue. “Please help me to get the Eltaran to take a look at my mutation. Maybe they will find out what’s going on with me.”

  The old man looked at him with his three eyes for a long moment and nodded, “You’ve rendered them a great service. I’m sure they are more than willing to help you. I’m confident that Mul’Jin has already heard about what happened here, and as an Eltaran, she’s likely very interested in dissecting your genes anyway.”

  “Very encouraging, thanks!” Robin scoffed, which earned him a chuckle from the old man.

  Though, before they could continue their talk they were interrupted by the loud hissing of massive thrusters.

  The bustling atmosphere in the camp came to an abrupt halt when the huge form of the Relentless Stride broke through the clouds and dropped heavily on the ground in their midst, sending dust and ashes from burned tents everywhere.

  The Eltaran gaped in awe and pointed at the black ship, whispering among each other, and Robin could only once more acknowledge the impressive sight that this ship… his ship was.

  After a few moments, the hidden door at one of the walker’s legs opened and Niu stepped out. As soon as she left the elevator, the Relentless Stride took off again and vanished into the clouds moments later.

  “Happy!” Robin waved at their friend and while he waited for her to rush over, he quickly read through the messages that were scrolling through his Interface.

  

  
• Relentless Stride entering range…


  
• Connection recovered


  

  

  
• 
  
    
  
  
    
  • Hey Captain!
  
  
    
  
  
    


  

  

  
• 
  
    
  
  
    
  • We took down the drone-controller and followed the enemy’s ships.
  
  
    
  
  
    


  

  

  
• 
  
    
  
  
    
  • I can confirm the total destruction of the Nova and the ultimate
  
  
    
  
  
    


  

  

  
• 
  
    
  
  
    
  • retreat of the enemy’s remaining forces from the system.
  
  
    
  
  
    


  

  

  
• 
  
    
  
  
    
  • The ship’s armor has been reattached and no further damage was inflicted.
  
  
    
  
  
    


  

  

  
• 
  
    
  
  
    
  • Power- and fuel-levels are in the green.
  
  
    
  
  
    


  

  

  
• 
  
    
  
  
    
  • I dropped off Happy and will keep the ship nearby but out of sight.
  
  
    
  
  
    


  

  

  
• 
  
    
  
  
    
  • Take your time at the Eltaran’s hidden city and call for me when
  
  
    
  
  
    


  

  

  
• 
  
    
  
  
    
  • you’re ready to proceed.
  
  
    
  
  
    


  

  

  
• 
  
    
  
  
    
  • Proto out.
  
  
    
  
  
    


  

  

  
• 
  
    
  
  
    
  • P.S.: Oh, and congratulations on your amazing victory in this multi-staged battle.
  
  
    
  
  
    


  

  

  
• 
  
    
  
  
    
  • You did an amazing job.
  
  
    
  
  
    


  

  

  
• Relentless Stride leaving range…


  
• Connection lost


  

  “I did? No, we did an amazing job…” Robin muttered and a smile sneaked on his face, “It was fuckin’ risky at times, but damn, we really managed to turn the tides in this fight.”

  Ang’Tue threw him a questioning gaze when he heard him talking to himself but before he could ask any questions, Niu reached them.

  “Burn in Plasma, what has happened here?” She yelled in excitement as she looked around in the wasted camp.

  “Robin happened.” Ang’Tue laughed and joked, “He once again failed to control his emotions.”

  If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

  “Damn, Scrappy, I’d better not mess things up with you!” Niu chuckled. Trying to hide her concern for him, she looked Robin up and down, “How are you?”

  “I’m good, really, and so are the others.” Robin said and grinned when he saw her tensed shoulders relax.

  “So… we did it?” she asked, “We beat those fuckers back?”

  “Yes, midget, yes we did it!” He laughed and reached out to ruffle her hair but was surprised when Happy jumped at him, arms wide open, to give him a hug.

  Determined to not shy away, Robin followed along and patted her back while she held him in a tight hug. Standing there in the middle of the destroyed camp, he closed his eyes and simply enjoyed the moment.

  ‘I really can’t complain about the outcome of the battle.’ He smiled to himself, smelling the sweet scent of Niu’s silvery hair and feeling her warm breath on his chest.

  ‘Yep, not bad at all!’

  ***

  It took Alena two hours before she returned to the camp with a literal truckload of armored plates in tow.

  After their battle with the Zulbano, she had pumped Krez full with recovery stims and then intercepted the rescue-party sent by the waystation to take them back. On their way she made them take a detour to collect the armor plates before continuing home. She then informed Proto and stopped outside the camp where she, together with the help of Robin and a few of the Eltaran, stored all the plates in the Relentless Stride.

  After regrouping they quickly exchanged their stories before deciding to delay any longer conversations until they’ve reached the colony and had a proper rest.

  By the time the crew arrived at the actual waystation deeper within the valley, Krez was at least stable enough to be transported.

  Just like Ang’Tue had explained, they had to take a pill that put them to sleep before they were granted passage to the hidden city of the Eltaran. Too weary to complain and with Ang’Tue vouching for his people, they quickly complied.

  When they woke up a few hours later, they found themselves in a spacious chamber with walls made of rock. There were comfortable beds, two fluffy couches and, to Happy’s delight, a small bar. A warm light from the ceiling gave the windowless room a friendly atmosphere.

  Robin walked up to the bed where the wolf-kin was still recovering.

  “How are you doing, mate?” He asked while he inspected the bandages on his stomach.

  “Never been better…” Krez croaked with a broken voice.

  “Heh, seems like it.” Robin chuckled but quickly turned serious, “You fought your battle?”

  The wolf nodded, gritting his teeth due to the pain from the movement.

  “Good.” Robin looked him in the eyes, “You’ve survived.”

  Another nod.

  “Good. You’ve won, I’ve heard.”

  Another nod.

  “Is it time for a new start then?”

  Krez hesitated a moment before he nodded once more.

  “That’s great. Let’s begin with another round of introductions after you’re back on your feet, okay? For now, I’ll take off the shackles. You are one of us now, at least until we are leaving this place and you’ve decided what you want to do. So please don’t make a scene here at the Eltaran's hidden city. I’m assuming they will be pretty much on the edge and give us little leeway for shenanigans, okay?”

  “I’ll not… throw away what I’ve… just regained.” Krez coughed.

  “Okay. Now try to get some sleep. I’ll make sure that you’ll get the medical treatment you need.”

  Krez nodded again before turning from Robin to Alena and back, “Thank you…”

  “You’re welcome.” Robin said with a grin while he removed the shackles.

  Before they had time to explore more of their chamber, someone knocked at the door. Ang’Tue tapped a button on the wall and moments later an old woman walked in.

  “Mul’Jin greets you, Captain Tulward,” she said and bowed deeply, “as well as the rest of your fearless crew.”

  “Please, councilwoman, there is no need for that.” Robin said and quickly pulled her up, “We are grateful for your hospitality.”

  “Thank you and please excuse the seemingly excessive measures we took before bringing you here. But the latest assault only once more showed how necessary secrecy is for the Eltaran. While we can easily abandon a waystation and switch to another one, it’s not possible to simply move the city itself.”

  “Ang’Tue had informed us before we even arrived here.” Robin waved her off, “We were well aware of your rules.”

  “Thank you.” Mul’Jin said and turned to the door, “May I ask you to follow me? We have prepared a proper welcome for our guests.”

  “Sure.” Robin said and looked at his friends. When he saw the still resting Krez giving him a confirming nod, he shook his head. “Krez, you can stay here, rest and recover some more. I’m sure the Eltaran will be happy to show you around later, with the same level of hospitality that the rest of us are receiving.”

  When he said the last part, he threw a sharp glance to the councilwoman. He hadn’t forgotten how the Eltaran had reacted when they arrived at the camp and he wanted to make sure that they understood that he was not tolerating that again. Especially not after what he had heard about Krez’s fight and how he helped the pilots to safely reach Data Falls. Sure, the wolf may have had his own motives, but in the end he put his life on the line for these people.

  Luckily Mul’Jin immediately understood his intentions and quickly nodded. “I can only apologize on my people’s behalf. They acted not because of prejudice, but out of fear and desperation. Please be assured, Nameless Warrior of the Zulbano, that you are as welcomed in our home as the rest of your crew.”

  Robin raised an eyebrow hearing her words. He had only heard of Krez’s new title from Alena’s brief report of their adventure and it surprised him that the council woman already knew as well.

  ‘Well, it’s probably part of her job to know stuff like this.’ he mentally shrugged and gave her a thankful nod.

  “I’ll stay with him.” Alena said and sat down next to the bed where the wolf-kin was lying, “You three go ahead.”

  “Sure, have fun!” Robin said and followed Mul’Jin out of the room, with Happy and Ang’Tue tagging along.

  They followed the councilwoman through a few wide tunnels and Robin was sure they were somewhere underground.

  ‘Makes sense,’ he thought, ‘if they want to make sure no one can find them, digging into the earth is the best way to avoid detection.’

  No one spoke, even when two Eltaran joined Mul’Jin on each side as she led them through the corridors.

  A few minutes later they arrived at a big, wooden double door and the two guards quickly stepped forth to open it. Mul’Jin walked through and onto what looked like a balcony. Robin followed her but stopped dead when he saw what lay behind her. His jaw dropped in surprise as he took in the marvelous scene.

  Looking down from the terrace, he saw an expansive cavern, hundreds of meters wide, with dozens of other caves and balconies to both sides. Many people, probably Eltaran, were moving in and out, giving this place a lively atmosphere.

  However, what really caught Robin’s attention was a huge subterranean forest on the ground below them, with tall trees and mushrooms of the same size. A herd of animals grazed on a clearing and real birds were flying over the treetops.

  There was even a small river that meandered through the cave, starting from an impressive waterfall on one side of the cavern and ending in a beautiful lake on the other side. Illuminated was this amazing scene by the moonlight that fell through cracks in the ceiling.

  Turning around to her guests, Mul’Jin gave them a warm smile with her arms spread open.

  “Welcome to Farlight, friends of the Eltaran.”