Chapter 21
“How much more time?” Craven glowered at the glowing panels. Below the engineering deck, his crew scurried about the dingy mechanic’s bay.
“At least another half a day,” said a rugged looking Terovian, running from one machine to another.
“Unacceptable!” Craven stomped across the metal walkway.
“Commander, our power cells were almost depleted. Its energy stores are replenishing. If we try to jump too soon, we’ll end up dead calm in space.”
“Nastir!” Craven pounded a com-link on the wall. “Any word from the probes?”
“Nothing yet, commander,” a voice responded. “We’ve tracked them to the area, but we haven’t been able to contact-”
“Keep trying!” Craven cut him off, hurrying into a transportation tube. “Bane will carve out my eyes if we don’t locate the Scion.” He groaned before the tube shot him from one side of the ship to another.
Craven arrived on the dimly lit control deck. The three-tiered command center, riddled with black steel, reflected the harsh nature of the Terovians. Its control stations, metallic gray with red and white lights, lacked a variety of color, yet maintained some of the most advanced technology in the galaxy. A series of round, life-size screens set across the perimeter of the top tier provided Craven with several camera views. Except the one he needed. “Nastir! Jam all subspace transmissions!”
“But commander,” Nastir replied, nervously.
“Bane will be furious! My incompetent crew can neither secure the neophyte-Scion, or even get our ship to the surface. I do not want any contact with-”
“With me?” Bane’s wicked voice infected the air. “After all, why would I need to know anything about what I’m paying you for.”
Craven spun around, searching. Bane sat at an observation station among his crew. “Bane, how did you-”
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“Craven,” Bane mocked thru a sinister grin, stalking toward the Terovian leader. “I can tell you’re upset that I’m here. I didn’t want to look over your shoulder, but I needed to know you were loyal.”
“I am loyal.” Craven stood tall, full of bravado; a full head taller than his ornately decorated benefactor, who circled him like a shark.
“But I was right to check.” Bane’s villainous smile grew. Craven’s eyes bulged, the air crushed from his chest. “I’m sorry, is that uncomfortable?” Bane teased, enjoying the sight of Craven’s pain. “I’ve been uncomfortable too, Craven. I hired your people to perform a job because of your efficiency. Your methods. Not the most scrupulous. That’s why I’m here.” Craven doubled over, clutching his throat. “You do see my plight, don’t you?” Bane waited for a reply, studying his jeweled hand. “Oh, you need air to speak.” Bane released his spell with a wave. “So, speak.”
“I-I was hired to d-do a job.” Craven’s voice was weak. “And we Terovian’s have a way of doing things.”
“Hmm, I see,” Bane replied, casually studying the inside of the Terovian ship, diminishing Craven’s importance.
“You would not understand the Terovian way. I did not wish to alarm you.” Craven straightened, defiantly glaring into Bane’s hateful black eyes.
“I wouldn’t understand?” Bane snapped, his tone increasingly more ominous. “I am the creation of Necromanos. Do you honestly think you and your crew of misbegotten fools understand anything that I do not?”
“I know our business and we will take care of it as agreed.”
“Do you even understand why you’re here?” Bane pointed a jeweled finger in Craven’s face. “If it weren’t for the vile lust your disgusting race has shown, you would not have been chosen. The void are mindless bloodhounds, but you, you are my hunters. Your race is known for its greed. It is this trait that makes you easy to manipulate, however, it is also what increases your potential capacity for betrayal. Your lack of moral fiber sets you apart. It makes you valuable. Dangerous. It’s why I am here. To protect my investment. That’s what I understand.”
With a flip of his robe, Bane casually sauntered away. “After all, I have to answer to a force that is truly beyond your comprehension. So, let’s not quibble about what we understand and simply do our best to get to the surface or all this effort is for nothing.”
“You are wise to know who and what you are working with,” Craven sneered. “I, however, while no different than any other of my race, hold my personal goals more paramount than just riches. I wish for the Hate-bringer to see my worth as he has yours and grant my people a place to exist.” Craven’s eyes narrowed with the prospect of power. “But not because I care for them. Because I want to rule them!” Craven smashed his armored fist into a control panel. “But in the end, it is business.”
“Not entirely.” Bane raised a gem clustered finger to his lips and produced an old picture of himself and a much younger version of Max. “For me, this is personal.”