Dark Matter

[Kaile Vera]

Innocuous as it was, it was still a direct question. One that Kaile had to focus on how to answer without lying. Kaile didn't want to lie. Not to Asmus. Her life was already up to her neck in lies.

She'd already worked in her mind what he might ask and how she might answer. As an agent, she had to discern and plan ahead on the many variables that might come into play.

There was always a direct answer. However, the chances of Asmus taking that well would be slim. There was also the option of redirecting, in which case could work out better than the direct answer, but the pilot could very well reiterate the inquiry, bringing to a head another direct question.

Or, there was always a third option, a diversion. In which case, it would take manipulating the circumstances to make it near impossible for Asmus to focus on it again.

None were great options. The longer this took, the more Kalie felt the strain.

"We don't have time to waste," She told him, moving ahead of him down the corridor towards the airlock that would lead out of the ship into the hanger bay.

"My contact already knows about the Solaris, and if they know, then odds are it already is spreading quickly. I've set up sensors in case we were still being picked up, but the longer we stay here, the higher the risk."

Her attention swung to Jay, "Jay, take Asmus." Don't look at him. Don't look at him. Don't look at him.

Kaile couldn't help herself. She did. Chocolate brown eyes went tracing over his face.

"Go. I need you to do this." that was as genuine of a confession as Kaile could ever give Asmus. There was no lie in her expression when she said that. He said he would do what she said. Follow her lead.

Even if her heart was breaking all over again because of it.

 

[Asmus Janes]

“Okay,” he replied, already turning to follow J4. For once, there was no message encoded in those two syllables. Just a simple acknowledgement of her request. Kaile had found another way to look at him that would make him do whatever she asked. It was almost instinctive.

Jay fell into step behind them as they hurried for the hangar bay. There were enough droids around all corners of the Galaxy that he wouldn't attack too much attention even at his height.

As they stepped down the ramp he had to watch her walking away from him toward an empty hangar bay. At the far end was the typical bustle of any port. Any port, just like Denon.

Asmus remembered the pain that had followed. The ache every time he had spilled the story over a whiskey glass. He could never know just how much more pain he had caused her. It seemed like yesterday he had found her by chance. That medelly of emotions at seeing her face again after all the time would never be matched again.

Why was she distancing herself? His father had shown him how to connect the dots. Build the picture. He had drawn his own. Always running, looking to find new stars, new constellations.

Showing Kaile the same tired old stars over Eriadu that had been the same for his entire life had been greater than anything his travels had brought him.

Jay's servos whirred as he had to stop. Asmus stayed rooted at the top of the ramp, Kaile already half way down ahead. His teeth were clenched together, tension running from his brow to the set of his jaw.

Maybe he was being silly. She would meet him again in five minutes. He could have misread the situation. It had happened before. But this mattered. From corner to corner the Galaxy could be ablaze and he would still care about her.

“Are you going to run? Again?” his voice was just above a whisper, but every syllable sounded out clearly.

 

[Kaile Vera]

His words were like daggers to Kaile’s heart. He had a knack for doing that, at finding and homing in on her vulnerabilities. Kaile's step would slow until she came to a stop at the bottom of the ramp. Deliberately, she spun on the toe of her boot, turning up to look at Asmus. The Lorrdian tried to watch dispassionately as Asmus stood at the top of the ramp. In her mind, however, it was with a resigned acceptance.

In the five years that had separated them, Asmus had grown into a man. The boyish charm was still there, but he wasn't a careless, wandering boy now. At twenty-five, there was a lot to be said and admired about the highly decorated Alliance pilot. As Kaile had said once before, she knew he could do it, that he could be brilliant if he challenged himself to do it.

Yet despite the experience that the academy, the Alliance, and even SIS had given him, he wasn't cut out for this kind of life. That was all very apparent with how everything crashing down affected Asmus. He was cut off from his home, his identity, and his life. Everything he ever knew was now held out of his reach, and for what? For what did he trade it for? For what did he have to show for it? Nothing.

The time spent with Asmus, as short as it was, was the most emotionally wrought guilty pleasure she ever had. Asmus said he loved her, but to this day, he had no idea who she really was and everything that she still hid from him. Kaile had done her best to never let him see that, to know that truth. Kaile knew that it wouldn't last. That it couldn't last. Kaile knew that one more kiss could be the best thing, but one more lie would be the worst.

The future stretched out bleakly for her, and this is all that Kaile could do to at least ensure that she was doing something right. To ensure that he would be safe. That Asmus would have a better life. That he could have some normalcy. It was a responsibility that fell on her now with the weight of the ‘verse. So she'd plan ahead for the best she could hope for and turn her back on loving him. Ultimately, it was easier for him if she let him go.

Asmus held her gaze for a time, his eyes so intense that Kaile felt, fleetingly, that the pilot could look right into her soul. He looked at her with underlying tension flexing throughout his body. Even at that moment, stars, he was so handsome. But what was worse was that he wore his heart on his sleeve.

At that moment, it would have been easy for her to falter. Instead, she bravely looked back at him and pretended she did not see the pain in his eyes. Even as the aching sense of loss nearly swallowed the Lorrdian whole.

I love him. Yes, Kaile loved him with all of her heart, though she had never once allowed herself to say the words -- not in any language that he could comprehend. Yet while Kalie knew what was in her heart, she just as undoubtedly knew what her answer to his question must be.

"Asmus," she began with a quiet firmness in her voice. His name a supplication in her mind. "Trust me." was that harsh of her to use? Perhaps. Her mind had galvanized with her decision.

"We are running out of time, and you and Jay need to meet up with the contact." Pausing, she gave Asmus directions to take out of the hanger and into the station. Turning to the droid behind him, Kaile added, "Jay, make sure he gets to the transport. Protect him."

All the while, in her mind, there was another answer.

Run away again? No, Kaile mused to herself. I didn't run away then.

I left.

 

[Asmus Janes]

His eyes narrowed and Asmus tilted his head to one side. A few stray locks of hair that had been pushed back fell forwards. He looked more confused than hurt, even as that sense that she was keeping him the dark for more than mission sensitivity became more resolute.

There was no uniform on her, no blaster fire in the background. Yet he saw the Kaile his eyes had fallen upon as the shuttle door had opened. The surface that had slowly cracked. As he had stood in her path on the Subversion, followed her back to her room, brought her beers on the observation deck. They were facing the biggest crisis in a decade.

“I do, but you don't need to keep everything from me. If you need to take another transport out of here blind then… that is what it is.”

Asmus felt Jay shift slightly behind him. How much reprogramming had she done? The droid was quite clear that he saw Kaile as in charge of the mission. Would he carry him out of here.

“If we're not going to see each other until we reach the next destination…” his eyes looked to one side briefly. She hadn't told him where. She didn't know? Kaile had passed the responsibility onto someone else. Deniability? Putting him out of harm's way because she wasn't going to follow orders and do something terrifying? No, that wasn't her. She would follow their orders for dealing with Flashfire. There were a lot of ways one could do that. The expectation that they would go into hiding together, outwitting the First Order at every turn was suddenly quashed.

“...or if your plan is that we go separate ways until the SIS issues issues it's recall - and think I have a notion on where the Jealousy will be - then tell me. Nothing in procedure says we have to go to ground separately. If that's what you've decided…” Jealousy was one of size codenames that could be used for the Subversion.

Asmus raised his chin and drew up his shoulders. Jay took a step closer behind him. He didn't say anything else. He didn't have to. He looked Kaile in the eye and demanded that she at least bring herself to say goodbye until they could meet again.

Asmus did trust her. Completely. Even if he was a fool for doing so. But even if there wasn't time to explain why she had decided they had to take separate paths here then she had to at least tell him that decision had been made. Good pilots, great pilots had been putting their lives in his hands over and over again. He didn't do things by the book but he had always respected what that command meant. When you were staring down a star destroyer you didn't always have time to explain why an order was given. Yet Kaile had time to repeat the same thing over and over, she could at least give him the complete picture of what came next.

The confusion was no longer there, plain for her to see. Asmus had promised himself that he wouldn't let her go again. But when it came down to it, right now, he had no choice but to follow her lead.

“Any orders for when I reach the destination?” he asked. The unspoken question still hanging in the air between them. His implants showed him a small café just outside the main transport hub where her contact would be.

 

[Kaile Vera]

Kaile shut her eyes, taking a deep breath. Steady, in. Held it. Then slowly let it out, lashes rising to meet Asmus' intense malachite stare. It was as if he was daring her to say the words. That this was goodbye. What he didn't understand is that she was perfectly willing to do it - it was breaking her heart with every second - but she'd do it anyways.

"There are things in the 'verse that aren't so simple Asmus. I'm tryin' to at the very least make it so for you. " she'd gone through the fall of two Rebellions, of the Omega Protectorate, of the Republic, and now it seemed that the Alliance was also going to go through the gauntlet.

What Asmus didn't realize is that this new identity Kaile had acquired for him meant that the SIS would not be able to find him. He wouldn't be in their databanks as Liem Chedury, who would have a robust set of references, background checks, and connections that would ensure that if he was picked up -- unless Asmus messed up in interrogations - he would be able to be okay.

Was it idyllic? Yes, perhaps to a degree, but it was the most that Kaile could give to him. A new identity and living a life in the Kathol Sector where anyone could disappear for a number of years was the best gift she could provide for him. It was the extent of just how much she loved him. Enough to let him go.

"You are to meet with the contact. She'll find you." Kaile said plainly, simply. With acceptance. "Jay will keep you safe and ensure that pick up goes smoothly. " Maybe Asmus should have inquired just what had Kaile upgraded and programmed Jay for. Trust went a long way, but this was a facet of Kaile he hadn't seen. One of many. Maybe now that will be driven home with him, the Lorrdian thought to herself. Perhaps it was best to be the bad guy.

Jay responded to that command, moving forward until his robotic arm nudged Asmus forward.

[ We must do as she asks. It is best we left. ]

Kaile didn't want to say goodbye. Didn't want to leave him. Didn't want to sink into the temptation of breaking down again and holding him close. But she had to. So she did it. Just like she had five years past. Staring straight into his eyes with the resolution of one knowing that what she was doing was the best thing for him. The only difference this time was that she had enough of willpower to hold as much as she could of herself together to see it through.

"And may the Force be with you."

 

[Asmus Janes]

He held that gaze for long enough that Jay took a grip on his shirt. Asmus knew that robotic hand was strong enough that he would never break its grip.

“It's alright Jay,” Asmus said and the droid loosened his grip as he stepped forwards. “I don't remember ever saying I wanted simple.”

Simple was easy. Simple would have been fixing his stars. Simple would have been staying at home and living in his city flat and managing the books for the company. Simple would have been board meetings and being trapped in his life and routine. It wouldn't have involved being chased through the Coruscant undercity by a stormtrooper platoon. It wouldn't have involved being there to get Choli away from Mustafar.

He couldn't fight her. He certainly couldn't escape from Jay. She didn't want to tell him what was on the other end of that shuttle ride.

Asmus couldn't say goodbye either. He took a step towards her never breaking his gaze. “Force be with you,” he whispered as he leaned in to her. Kaile would stop him or he would kiss her.

 

[Kaile Vera]

"Don't," Kaile would whisper in protest, caught up in the intensity of his gaze when he purposely strode to her. Her heart was already commencing its sudden thumping lurch, slamming against her chest. She was trying her best to hold it in, to keep it together. To keep her distance.

Yet Asmus was making it so hard for her. Having him stand so close gave Kaile trouble continuing to breathe. She was afraid of what he'd see the longer he took to leave.

It was her weakness that did not push him away. That didn't draw back when that dark head of his came down, eyes ignited in bronze gold and jade, jaw flexing in a torrent of emotions.

One kiss. One last kiss. It was all the Lorrdian could afford. The blonde's lips gave a tremble, moving under Asmus' brush but for a few fleeting seconds. She didn't even allow him to draw his arms around her. Kaile couldn't. Any longer, and it would feel like home.

Closing her eyes, Kaile wrenched her lips from his and turned her head away with a swing to the right, her voice a little hoarser as she uttered the command, "Jay, go."

The Droid compiled, by moving forward, every intention of following through with what had been ordered by the agent. It was as if using Asmus' name would be her downfall, using the J4 Droid to follow through with what had to be done.

Then, the blonde took a step away. Followed quickly by another. Distance. It was putting distance between them.

Someday, someday he would understand.

 

[Asmus Janes]

“Don't,” he echoed back as she stepped away. “Come with me.”

It was one last hope. He saw it now. He had perhaps even started to realise it after she had distancing herself from him after they had made love one last time. Even knowing that she thought this was the best thing to do for him couldn't stop a simmer of resentment deep in his gut.

His world was off limits to him now. The family he had finally started to reconnect with beyond his reach. The friends he had made within the Alliance had vanished. Asmus had never held any illusions that this life would be simple. In command of Rogue Squadron he had written eulogies for many pilots under him. He had signed up for the SIS known full well that those risks would only be exacerbated.

Because he had felt it was a worthy cause. Because instead of following the path laid out for him he had found a way to make a difference.

Nothing had prepared him for the Alliance and everything he had worked for to collapse so suddenly. Cut off from everything and now this. He hadn't even been given time to process and she was going to tear at his heart like this.

Everyone else always knew what was best for him.

It wasn't even necessary. They could have gone into hiding together, waited for the signal to return. If one ever came. Instead she had to go. If they hadn't crossed paths by accident last time then she would never have come back.

Jay reached for him but Asmus was already walking. He wouldn't be carried out of here.

 

[Kaile Vera]

Don't look at him, don't look at him, don't -- that mantra went chanting through Kaile's mind. She was trying her best to not to catch sight of the desperate expression growing over his profile. It was there in the tight lines of his face, in the way those dark slashes of his brows worked inwards, furrowing his forehead, dark forelocks sticking to the skin.

Kaile did her best to walk around him, to try and move towards one side of the bay. It wasn't her intention to leave it anyhow. Instead, her plan had included going with the Solaris. If she could move it from here, then she could add more distance and several other spots that would aid in lessening the likelihood that it could get back to Asmus.

Hearing the strain and frustration in his voice when he asked her to go with him was just another blaster shot to the heart.

"You are wasting time. You said you would follow my lead." The words came quickly as if they were the brick-and-mortar of the agent's defense.

A swing of her head, and her eyes locked with Jay's. Don't look at him, she ordered herself again. The whir of gears, and Jay was at Asmus' back again, this time reaching for his arm. He would carry him from the bay to take him to the drop point if required. The programming had essentially allowed Jays' personality matrix to remain, but it also ensured that if Kaile gave him specific instructions, Asmus wouldn't be able to belay them until they were completed. It was a fallback in the event such a situation as this had occurred.

"You said I had to simply tell you what to do. So I am."

 

[Asmus Janes]

He couldn't fight Jay. He couldn't make a scene. Getting them both arrested wasn't going to help either of them. He knew that, even as he had to swallow his words.

“I had to leave your sculpture behind,” he said softly as he walked away. It was a strange way of saying goodbye. The words had spilled from his lips before he had even thought them. Kaile had been shocked to see that he had kept them close throughout the years. She knew that now. She knew that she was forcing him away and he didn't even have that token to remember her by.

He didn't understand her still. There was so much history and pain that hid beneath the surface and refused to be exposed. Staying away and out of sight meant not letting those wounds be opened up again. It also meant not healing properly. Asmus looked at her, watching her force her gaze away.

I would have followed you to any stars, he thought to himself. But it wasn't all he thought. Beneath the easy smile and casual attitude was a fierce intellect that turned at a frantic pace when Asmus found the determination. One final glance and he was out of the bay. Into the bustle of a typical dock market. Sharp eyes spotted what he needed almost immediately.

 

[Kaile Vera]

That single phrase would prompt Kaile to wrap her arms around herself. It was like she was drawing herself in. She shut her eyes and did her best to not let herself see him walk away, even as the whirs of Jay's chassis told her that they had left the bay.

Breathe. Just breathe.

Opening her eyes again, Kaile's vision began to blur. Okay. Okay. Focus.

He wasn't there anymore. He had bled into the bustle of the dock market, Jay at his heels to ensure that he went to the drop point as instructed.

With a shuddered breath, a trembling hand came up. The Force was shot from her fingers, manipulating the console along the docking bay door that led to the market. With a hiss and a crack, it went sliding shut, closing the bay off. It was as if the agent were preventing herself from second-guessing herself, from staring out and trying to search for Asmus' figure, that mop of dark hair, those gold-flecked green eyes.

Backing up, Kaile used every bit of intestinal fortitude she had to head back into the Solaris. It was a half stumble back onto the ramp, tears already welling in her eyes, making it difficult to see.

She had to get the Solaris up and out of the bay. Had to put more distance.

 

[Asmus Janes]

As the whine reverberated about the hangar bay that same door slid open. J4KN stepped through it, the data spike slipping back into its housing in his arm. There was something different about the droid. A small white cube in the centre of his chest.

There was no Asmus.

Jay leaned back and looked up at the cockpit a little signal requested the doors to be opened, but required a manual confirmation.




A moment ago

“You are walking too quickly,” Jay observed. “You are not to draw attention to us.”

“Sorry,” Asmus muttered, suddenly slowing and then stopping. “I'm really sorry Jay.”

The droid looked down at the restraining bolt fixed to his chest. The light-fingered pilot had lifted it from a stall just a few metres back. The bolt was in an open state and Asmus had to lock it to his command quickly via his implant or else any other device could change the ownership of the bolt. He still didn't know his implants well, but when he sharpened his mind down to a point and directed it at just one task he could make exceptional progress.

“Do you know where Kaile is?”

“Yes.”

Everything would have gone differently if he had asked ‘where is Kaile?’. Asmus wouldn't have guessed she was going to stay with the ship. The restraining bolt wouldn't last in her presence and she would have control of Jay again if he had gone running after her, but he wouldn't have resisted returning to the Solaris if he had realised she was still there.

“Go to her. Tell her… say thank you for doing this for me. But… I will decide what path to follow now. I'll never stop thinking about her. Not under any stars.

“ If you can't find her you call me and I will come and get you friend.”

Jay turned and loped away. His constant tracking algorithms turned back on Kaile. Asmus’ expression had darkened. There was a hardness in his eyes. If he had to retrieve Jay then he would need to get a professional to scrub his data banks and work out what Kaile had done to him. If he didn't wrap this hard shell around him he knew he would cry. His heart was breaking and if he concentrated on it then all the pain would come pouring out.

Asmus vanished into the market, heading in the opposite direction of the meeting point. He had a new identity, his charms and some cold hard credit chits in his pocket for a transport.

 

[Kaile Vera]

By the time Kaile made it to the cockpit of the Solaris, the Lorrdian was already a trembling mess. Instead of being able to focus on flicking toggles and pressing switches to start the engines, Kaile sunk into the pilot's seat and slapped her hand against the console.

There was a whir of activity, the lights on the console flicking to life in a kaleidoscope of hues behind a well of tears. The engines ignited with that distinct polished hum. She was a beauty of a ship, no doubt about it. With all the bells and whistles any Naboo noble would desire.

And thankfully, an autopilot.

Kaile was taking over the ship with her mind, almost akin to the same method that Asmus and Kurt used, either the cybernetic data stint or VT Helm to fly. The only problem was that she was riding a powerful wave of emotion, which made her careless.

The ping came in with a musical jingle. No different than the alarm for nearing entry. Blinking rapidly, Kaile tried to focus on just what it was. A request to confirm opening the doors.

Wait.. what?

Rubbing the back of her hand under her nose, Kaile traced the signal. It had been from Jay.

What was he doing here sending requests? He shouldn't be here. He should be making sure Asmus was getting to the drop point.

A flurry of activity and a mental push sent the commands through the Solaris back to Jay, who declined the request. It was quickly followed by a cryptic program signal directing him to make sure Asmus made it to the drop point.

However, as soon as it was sent, she received a distinct pingback. Awareness shot through the Lorrdian then. Asmus had somehow managed to get a restraining bolt on Jay.

[ Jay where is Asmus? ] this time, it was through comm.

[ Jay you should be making sure Asmus is getting to the drop point.] There was only so much Kaile could do through the Force. Sure, she could pull that restraining bolt from Jay, but it would damage him in the meantime. Trying to overwrite the bolt would take time, even if it wasn't adequately encrypted with high-security settings.

Alarm over just where Asmus might be briefly caused Kaile to pause her flight. If she left him with Jay, then she could have some measure of peace of mind. He could protect him. Keep him out of trouble.

There was both pride and frustration that Asmus had used a restraining bolt to get away from Jay. Truth be told, she shouldn't be surprised. He could be quite innovative and quick to solve problems when he had to.

Just like when he could navigate the stars with his sheer brilliance.

 

[Asmus Janes]

[I have been ordered to deliver a message] Jay replied. [I intend to deliver this in person, but will do so over the comms if you refuse to come out]

There was a pause. If Kaile was reaching out to the droid through the Force she would feel a flurry of code that resembled emotions. This was no longer a boring life, that much had been made abundantly clear in the last day. There was something akin to amusement that the humans who seemed quite happy to spend all day cuddling - or grunting and rutting against each other - would reach such a sudden disagreement. But there was also something close to fondness. Jay liked them both and he didn’t want to be left behind.

[I do not know where he is going. However, he did not specify that I could not locate him and provide you with this information once my message is delivered.]

Asmus should have been more specific.

 

[Kaile Vera]

Damnit, Asmus.

The curse rang through Kaile's mind. She was running out of time, and he was just not -- sticking to the plan.

Now Kaile was stuck between a rock and a hard place. If she let Jay in, then it would delay her further and also the longer that Asmus was without protection. If she allowed him to deliver her message, well, needless to say, her heart was already running on fumes, and the Lorrdian wasn't sure if she could handle any message that Asmus would have given the droid to deliver.

In the end, her concern over the pilot won out. It always did.

[ Fine, deliver your message. But then search for Asmus and make sure he gets to his drop point. You need to make sure he stays safe, Jay. I'm trusting you with this. ]

 

[Asmus Janes]

It was Asmus’ own voice that came back over the channel. Rather than attempt to interpret the message or lose meaning in the inflection it was easier just to play back a recording.

“Go to her. Tell her… say thank you for doing this for me. But… I will decide what path to follow now. I'll never stop thinking about her. Not under any stars.”

[He has mixed with the crowd. I may not be able to locate him precisely] Jay said, giving no room for the message to sink it. [I will try to keep him safe. He said:]

“ If you can't find her you call me and I will come and get you friend.”

[He did not tell me not to contact him in the event of finding you, but not being able to follow you.]

Kaile didn't need to see anything to detect the determination that grew with each word. She would almost be able to hear him starting to plot out a new course as he spoke. She would likely be able to picture that expression of concentration when he fully applied himself to a problem.

 

[Kaile Vera]

Hearing his voice. Picturing Asmus in her mind. From the glint of determination in his eyes to the lock of his scruffy jaw, the Lorrdian could already imagine what was said between the lines.

Part of her wanted to curse at Asmus for not following her orders. He’d gone back on his word. On what he had reassured her less than six hours ago; that he would follow her lead. Trust her.

Now he was going his own way. Deciding what path to take. What to do with his life. Kaile took a shuddering breath. Truth be told, another part of herself was proud. Relieved. He had that grit back. That determination. Focus. That renewed fire. Confidence.

It was something that Kaile couldn’t provide even if she had planned it out.

In essence, maybe it was the best way for him to move forward. To start a new life.

Swallowing hard, emotions spilling, Kaile gave a slow nod of confirmation.

[ Then call him after I leave. Find out where he is and stay by his side. Protect him. Don’t tell him I took the Solaris or how to track it or even track it yourself.] unlike Asmus, Kaile was very through. There was a wealth of programming Kaile had given J4, even a very familiar galactic hyperspaceroute that should the pilot activate, would come online complete with the hidden files he’d given her long ago. It wasn’t the only thing, but it was a small token. A memory.

A pause, [ and tell him this. ]. Her voice gave a quiver, but it came out clear as day.

[ Okay. ]

Taking a deep breath, Kaile said goodbye.

[Take care Jay. ] a shift of the piloting controls and clearance was requested from the local airspace control. A few seconds later, the sleek chrome ship began to rise.

 

[Asmus Janes]

“Please leave your message after three beeps.” Asmus walked through the crowd with a comm-link to his mouth. The link was off and he used his implants but that might have drawn attention. He waited for three beeps. He waited even longer. There was a fourth beep.

“Connect to seven.” Another beep. This would take time. It wasn't a secure SIS system. It was old but had worked under the noses of the Republic, New Order and Sith Empire alike.

“Who is it?” came a gruff voice.

“Me. I'm sorry, but I might need some help.”

A pause. The voice was much softer “Of course. It's good to hear your voice. Just had a message through Ryuk because apparently you are dead.”

Kaile wouldn't have understood. Not completely. “Thank you,” Asmus said to Kairon. This put them at risk. But Kairon was family and so was his crew. They understood and they would come anyway. He would have done the same for them. “I've got to catch a flight. Port seventy five?”

There was a sigh. “Kid, we've changed the book three times since then. I'll…go see if I have an old copy. Look after yourself. Don't make any more trouble.” Kairon spoke the last word slowly, as if realising that it would be hard for even Asmus to make more trouble than he was already in.

“See you soon.”

 

[Kaile Vera]

The glide of the Solaris as it exited the docking bay may not have been as smooth if Asmus or Kurt had flown it, but it did its job. Down below, the J4 droid straightened from the wall, his ocular sensors watching as the smooth chrome ship back away before redirecting portside.

Kaile's blonde hair and her red-rimmed eyes were a vanishing figure until the Solaris was entirely out of the docking bay. A billow of air blew around Jay as the wash came down, in the next instant, the Solaris began to climb in altitude. It wouldn't be long before it would exit the atmosphere.

Inside, Kaile's trembling fingers went over to the Navigation computer. There were three more spots she had to make before her final destination. Rishi.

There she could lay low. Maybe even sell off the ship. Bujak would know. Millions of thoughts were racing through her head, and Kaile added a million more. She didn't dare stop to think. That meant sitting in silence. That meant fully admitting that she had left the man she loved behind. That this was it.

It wasn't like Denon. It wasn't like how she had left Asmus at the docking bay five years ago. This time he'd asked her to go with him. To stay.

And she said no.

It was another decision that Kaile would have to live with. Much like Quin. Much like everything else that came in between.

Back in the docking bay, Jay's ocular sensors opened wide then zoomed in. Kaile had left. This meant he could call Asmus now. He had delivered the message. He also didn't want to be left alone.

A press of his metal digit and the comm call would direct towards Asmus. At the same time, he used his sensors to try and find the pilot in the throng.

 

[Asmus Janes]

He needed a ship to Alzoc III. That would be easy. The plan did rely on Kairon still having an older version of the smuggler's code book to know that it was the port he had asked them to visit. It was a small risk to contact them, it was a much much larger risk to give away the meeting place.

He couldn't stop. Not yet. If he stopped he would have to think about what he had just happened. His mind could drown in a sea of Kaile if he let it.

[I cannot find you]

“You couldn't find her?” he replied.

[She didn't want me to go with her. She wants me to deliver a message. And keep you safe.]

“There's a caf stall by the green bays called Buzz. I'll book a transport and find you there Jay. I'm sorry, again.”

He didn't hold out any hope that a sudden change of heart had been sent through Jay. It wasn't just determination he had found. There was hope too. Even slim. It wasn't a problem with the two of them that had forced them apart. The time playing with engines or walking the beach told him that. That precious hour beneath the stars as they let the embers of the fire die down. There was a time and a place, a set of stars, where they could be together and happy. They weren't here. He had to find them.

First he would find Kairon, the Quintessence and where this all started. Then the Subversion, or at least some remnants of the resistance. Then he had to change things. Then, maybe, he would be able to find her again.

It was an impossible task. A daunting mountain range of insurmountable challenges. He would laugh when he overcame them all. But first he needed to find a transport and get away from here.

Get away before he broke down in tears and let himself feel the damage she had inflicted upon his soul again.