A Replacement

  The door to Hornet’s office parted before I entered.

  “Mr. Hornet.”

  “Agile.”

  He leaned back against his chair, bringing his attention toward me.

  “How did the recon mission go?”

  “One casualty.”

  “Then it didn’t go well.”

  Hornet valued life. Even the tiniest bug — something he learned through his lovely wife.

  “Sorry, I fell behind and let it happen.”

  “Sorry doesn’t bring people back from death, Agile. You know it better than that.”

  I nodded.

  “Yes, Mr. Hornet.”

  “Moreover, I spoke with Vaelor. He contacted the Aurelion Immigration Authority, and they approved. Tuttwana* will be given one of the islands of Virellan Atoll**.”

  Aurelion is Hornet’s birthplace. My birthplace.

  “You may go now.”

  I nodded before turning around and walking out of his office.

  Outside, Coven waited for me despite telling him to remain in the command office and take charge of the ship’s control.

  How annoying. Disobeying my command while I was in charge.

  “You okay?”

  “Of course I am.”

  I walked past him, heading back to the command station to regain control from Aureolo and whoever Coven put in place for him.

  “Is Hornet mad at you?”

  “No.”

  “Sounded like it.”

  “He isn’t.”

  “You sure?”

  “Yes.”

  “You sure?”

  He leaned in closer, his shoulder bumping against mine.

  “Knock it off.”

  “No. I know you are hiding something.”

  I grew frustrated by his persistence, so I took the best way out. I turned right, walking into the female restroom and successfully getting away from him.

  He was waiting outside for me. Even if I spent hours inside, he would still be there. For days, even. He was persistent.

  I had enough time to collect myself. I walked towards the sink, staring at myself in the mirror. Dirt clung to my suit. No matter how many times I washed it, it never came clean.

  What did Hornet see in me to offer me this job?

  Did he see his own daughter?

  I failed him today. Failed her — Aourine.

  Failed Tigeralla.

  My gloved hands curled as I stared at the reflection of my stained past.

  I didn’t need memories rushing back. Not today.

  I pushed off, walking out of the bathroom. Just as I anticipated, Coven stood waiting outside for me.

  How tiring this all was getting.

  “You okay?”

  I nodded and walked past him. He quickly caught up and fell into step beside me.

  I entered the command room where Coope and Aureolo were occupying our stations. I walked over to them.

  “Oh, you are back,”

  Coope said, standing up. Aureolo followed behind and got up from my chair, giving me space. I settled down.

  “So where are we taking the Tuttwana people?”

  Coven asked.

  “To KEP-452-A.”

  “Hornet’s planet? But didn’t the government say they are no longer letting fugitives in?”

  “Yes, and I don’t know how Hornet got permission. He must have pulled a few strings.”

  “Of course he did,” Doxie commented, standing by the entrance and leaning against the doorframe.

  I turned my chair to face her. What was going through her thick skull now?

  “I’m not saying it like it’s a bad thing,” she continued.

  “Yep, it’s definitely not a bad thing. It’s just the way you say it is mean,”

  Aureolo responded.

  I shook my head, turning my chair to face the outward space.

  We left the Nok-17 system and entered the Symphysodon. Green gas clouds swallowed the view.

  Something within the hues reminded me of Tigeralla.

  There was something about her. Something unique. Truly unique. Did she know this?

  Voices of the crew blurred behind me as I focussed on that girl. She was a foolish yet determined woman.

  The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

  She would fit in.

  She would.

  I found it. A replacement for Nianzui.

  I abruptly stood up and rushed out of the command room.

  “Where are you going?” Coven asked.

  “Recruiting.”

  “Recruiting? What? Who?”

  He followed behind me as I made my way out of the command room and into the elongated hallway.

  “Someone. I am going to recruit someone.”

  He grabbed my arm, forcing my steps to come to a halt.

  “Who? Who are you going to recruit?”

  “Tigeralla.”

  “Tigeralla? Did you ask Hornet’s permission?”

  “I don’t need his permission. I will just have to tell him once Tigeralla agrees.”

  “Speaking like a true nepo child.”

  “Nepo child?”

  My hands curled into fists.

  “That is exactly what you are, aren’t you?”

  He leaned in, clearly trying to anger me.

  Instead of saying anything, I turned around and prepared my fist.

  “Woah! Calm down, I was joking.”

  He raised his palms in the air in defeat.

  I let out a huff before I started to walk again.

  “Geez, you are in a stiff mood today. I told you to take a nap and get in the stasis pod.”

  “Maybe your jokes aren’t funny.”

  “Ouch, that hurts.”

  “Coven, I am not in the mood.”

  “Alright.”

  Despite this, he continued to walk beside me. He was like a shadow that no amount of light could remove.

  As I entered, my eyes immediately found Tigeralla, standing against a pillar supporting the ship. Alone, lost in thought.

  I walked over to her. Her head was turned away, her gaze distant.

  “Tigeralla.”

  Her head snapped towards me. I stared at her while she stared back at me.

  “Agile Eye.”

  “Tigeralla,” I repeated. Why was I stumbling over her name?

  I took a deep breath.

  “Tigeralla, out there today, I saw your determination. Your resilience to keep moving forward.”

  “And?”

  “I am inviting you to join the Guardians of the Unirex.”

  Her black, beaded eyes widened.

  What was going on in her head?

  “Join the Guardians of the Unirex?”

  I nodded.

  “I can’t. I have my family to take care of.”

  She turned around and was about to walk away.

  “I understand. But where we’re taking you won’t be like Valconalla. You won’t have to merely survive.”

  Her steps came to a halt.

  “No matter how good life goes from now, I still have to be the provider. That is our nature.”

  “Sometimes, it is okay to break free of the survival line and fly a bit higher.”

  “I like to be tied down to Ma.”

  She walked away before I got to finish my speech. That failed.

  I couldn’t wait for Coven to comment on this.

  “So… it didn’t go great.”

  I said as I walked back toward the command room.

  “Things are just awful for you, aren’t they?”

  “Coven.”

  “What?”

  “Don’t you just love pouring salt over my wounds?”

  “It’s fun watching you wither when I poke,” he said, leaning closer. “Makes my day.”

  His words swirled in my head as we stared at each other in silence.

  He cleared his throat and leaned back.

  “Sorry. You are not in the mood.”

  I turned my head away, composing myself.

  “I am going to grab myself some tea. You should head back to the command station.”

  “Right. Should I… I will head back to the command room.”

  He walked away in a hurry while I stood still, watching his figure disappear from sight.

  I shook my head, trying to forget what he said.

  ???