Chapter 4: Departure
Scene 1: Preparing the Starlance
The docks of Aeloria were unusually quiet at night, the usual symphony of bustling airship traffic replaced by the faint hum of idle engines and the occasional metallic clang from dockworkers finishing their shifts. The soft glow of aetherium-powered lamps illuminated the Starlance, casting long shadows across its sleek hull as it rested on its mooring platform.
Kael leaned against the ramp, arms crossed, watching Tov wrestle with the mysterious crate. The box was large, its dark surface polished and unmarked save for a single symbol etched into the top—a symbol Kael didn’t recognize but didn’t like either.
Tov grumbled as he slid the crate onto the loading platform, his grease-streaked hands gripping a lever to secure it in place. “No manifest, no sender, and no details. You sure about this one, Captain?”
Kael shrugged, though his expression betrayed his unease. “It’s a straightforward job, Tov. Deliver the crate, collect the payment. Nothing to it.”
Tov straightened, fixing Kael with a skeptical glare. “You’re saying that like it’s not the exact line you use every time we end up in a heap of trouble.”
Jack chuffed from atop the crate, its wings twitching as it batted lightly at the seals. The creature’s sharp eyes scanned the box as if searching for cracks, its tail flicking with irritation.
Kael smirked, reaching up to scratch Jack’s head. “You’re not helping, buddy.”
Tov rolled his eyes, securing the crate with a final tug of the straps. “I don’t like it. And your flying furball doesn’t seem thrilled either.”
Kael stepped closer, patting the crate lightly as if to reassure himself. “Not our job to like it. Just to deliver it.”
Tov let out a huff of frustration, wiping his hands on his overalls. “Famous last words. Don’t come crying to me when this thing turns out to be cursed or explosive or both.”
Kael chuckled, though it lacked conviction. “Noted.”
The distant hum of another airship caught Kael’s attention, drawing his gaze toward the horizon. The docks stretched out into the fog, their edges fading into the night. The glow of lanterns reflected faintly off the swirling mist, giving the scene an almost dreamlike quality.
Jack chuffed again, leaping gracefully from the crate to Kael’s shoulder. The creature nudged his neck with its head, a soft sound escaping its throat—a warning, perhaps, or simple unease.
Kael sighed, adjusting his jacket. “I hear you. Let’s get this done before something decides to make this complicated.”
Tov muttered under his breath as he disappeared into the engine bay, his complaints about “reckless captains” and “mystery boxes” echoing faintly behind him. Kael shook his head, a wry smile tugging at his lips.
“Straightforward job,” he repeated quietly, his gaze lingering on the crate. But as the lamps cast shifting shadows across its surface, the words felt more like a wish than a truth.
----------------------------------------
----------------------------------------
Scene 2: Sierra’s Warning
The soft click of boots on wood was the only warning Kael received before Sierra Marlowe stepped out of the shadows, her figure silhouetted against the moonlit docks. She moved with a purpose, her crimson coat billowing slightly in the breeze, and her sharp eyes locked on Kael with unsettling precision.
“Planning to leave without saying goodbye?” she asked, her voice smooth but laced with an edge.
Kael turned, his smirk already in place. “Didn’t think you’d miss me.”
Sierra stepped closer, stopping just short of the Starlance’s ramp. The moonlight caught the glint of silver at her belt—a dagger, subtly displayed but deliberately positioned. Her posture was casual, but there was no mistaking the tension in her frame.
“Tell me about the job,” she said, crossing her arms.
Kael raised an eyebrow, leaning against the crate. “You’ve been keeping tabs on me, huh? I’m flattered.”
Sierra’s gaze didn’t waver. “Cut the charm, Kael. You and I both know this isn’t a normal cargo run. What’s in the crate?”
Kael’s smirk faltered slightly. “Didn’t ask. Didn’t need to.”
“Of course, you didn’t.” Sierra’s tone was dry, but her expression darkened. “Let me guess—a stranger with no name, a hefty payment, and zero details? And you just said yes?”
Kael straightened, crossing his arms to mirror her stance. “You know how it is, Sierra. A captain’s gotta keep his ship flying. Sometimes that means taking risks.”
“Sometimes that means getting yourself killed,” she shot back, her voice sharp.
Jack, perched on Kael’s shoulder, let out a low chuff, its wings twitching. The creature’s glowing eyes flicked between the two, sensing the tension.
Sierra’s gaze shifted briefly to Jack, softening just a fraction. “Even your winged shadow seems to know better than you this time.”
This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.
Kael chuckled, though it lacked humor. “Jack’s not exactly the cautious type.”
“Neither are you,” Sierra replied, her tone cutting. “And that’s what worries me.”
The words hung in the air, heavier than Kael had anticipated. For a moment, the only sound was the distant hum of an airship engine, faint and steady in the background.
“I appreciate the concern,” Kael said finally, his voice softer. “But I’ve got it under control.”
Sierra stepped closer, her expression unreadable. “Do you?”
Kael met her gaze, his smirk returning, though it didn’t quite reach his eyes. “I’ve been in tighter spots.”
“That’s not the point,” she said, her voice dropping to a near-whisper. “Do you even know who you’re dealing with? The Shadowborn Syndicate doesn’t play games, Kael. They don’t forgive mistakes.”
Kael’s jaw tightened, but he kept his tone light. “Good thing I don’t plan on making any, then.”
Sierra sighed, shaking her head. “You’ve got a knack for diving headfirst into trouble, you know that?”
“Keeps life interesting,” Kael replied with a shrug.
For a moment, Sierra’s expression softened, a hint of a smile tugging at her lips. But the moment passed quickly, and the sharp edge returned to her gaze.
“Just… be careful,” she said, stepping back into the shadows. “You’re no good to anyone dead.”
Kael watched her go, her figure fading into the moonlit fog. Jack chuffed softly, nudging Kael’s neck with its head.
“Yeah, yeah,” Kael muttered. “I know she’s right.”
But even as he turned back to the crate, his mind lingered on her warning. The Shadowborn Syndicate wasn’t just a name—it was a promise of trouble. And he’d just signed up for it, no questions asked.
----------------------------------------
----------------------------------------
Scene 3: Final Checks
The soft hum of the Starlance’s engines filled the quiet dock, a subtle promise of power waiting to be unleashed. Kael stood at the base of the ramp, running through his mental checklist while the night air wrapped around him like a cool, steady presence. The aetherium-powered lamps lining the dock cast a pale glow, their light flickering slightly in the gentle breeze.
From inside the ship, Tov’s voice rang out, muffled but distinct. “Portside thruster’s holding steady, but if you push her like last time, don’t come crying to me when it gives out!”
Kael smirked, stepping up the ramp and into the cargo bay. The mysterious crate sat securely in place, its straps taut against the cargo hooks. Jack perched on top, its wings folded neatly as it chuffed softly, occasionally batting at the straps with idle curiosity.
Kael raised an eyebrow at his companion. “You planning to test the seals all night, or are you actually going to help?”
Jack tilted its head, letting out a sharp chuff as if to argue that its inspection was a critical part of the process.
Shaking his head, Kael made his way to the cockpit, where Tov’s head emerged from the engine compartment, streaked with grease and frustration.
“She’s as ready as she’ll ever be,” Tov announced, wiping his hands on a rag. “But if this ‘straightforward job’ ends up being anything but, I’m keeping a running tab on the repairs.”
“Noted,” Kael replied with a grin, sliding into the pilot’s seat. His hands moved instinctively over the controls, fingers brushing switches and dials with practiced ease. The instruments came alive beneath his touch, glowing faintly as the engines rumbled to life.
Tov folded his arms, leaning against the bulkhead. “You sure about this, Kael? That crate gives me the creeps. And Sierra didn’t seem too thrilled about your new client, either.”
Kael’s smirk faltered briefly, but he shrugged it off. “It’s a job. We’ve had worse.”
“Have we?” Tov muttered, but he turned and headed back toward the engine room without waiting for a response.
Jack leapt from the cargo bay to its usual perch near the dashboard, chuffing softly as it settled in. Kael glanced at the creature, raising an eyebrow.
“Don’t start with me, too,” he said, his tone dry. “I’ve got enough people doubting me tonight.”
Jack flicked its tail, letting out a quiet chuff that sounded suspiciously like an agreement.
Kael shook his head, turning his focus back to the controls. The hum of the engines deepened, filling the cabin with a steady rhythm that resonated in his chest. Outside, dockworkers paused to glance at the Starlance, their faces a mix of curiosity and admiration as the ship prepared for liftoff.
Kael adjusted a final lever, his eyes scanning the dashboard for any signs of trouble. Satisfied, he leaned back in his seat, exhaling slowly. The ship was ready, the engines primed, and the path ahead clear—at least for now.
“All systems green,” he murmured to himself. “Let’s see where this goes.”
----------------------------------------
----------------------------------------
Scene 4: Liftoff
The Starlance hummed with anticipation, its twin engines purring steadily as Kael guided it off the dock. The ship moved with precision, its sleek design cutting through the still night air like a blade. The glow of aetherium coursing through its veins reflected faintly on the fog below, casting an otherworldly shimmer that danced across the swirling clouds.
Kael’s hands rested firmly on the controls, his sharp eyes fixed on the horizon. The distant lights of Aeloria grew smaller with every passing moment, their warm glow fading into the misty expanse as the ship ascended.
Jack perched near the dashboard, its wings folded neatly against its back. The creature let out a soft chuff, tilting its head toward Kael as if seeking reassurance.
“Don’t look at me like that,” Kael muttered, his tone half-amused. “I’m not the one who wanted this job.”
Jack chuffed again, quieter this time, and curled up near the instrument panel. Its luminous eyes flicked briefly toward the sealed crate in the cargo bay before closing.
The hum of the engines deepened as the Starlance leveled off, gliding smoothly at cruising altitude. The stillness of the skies was a stark contrast to the bustling docks they’d left behind. Kael allowed himself a moment to exhale, his shoulders easing as the tension of preparation gave way to the rhythm of flight.
But his mind didn’t settle.
Sierra’s warning echoed in his thoughts, her sharp words cutting through the quiet. “The Shadowborn Syndicate doesn’t play games, Kael. They don’t forgive mistakes.”
Kael tightened his grip on the controls, his jaw clenching briefly before he forced himself to relax. He had taken risks before—plenty of them—and he’d always come out on top. But something about this job felt different, like a storm brewing just beyond the horizon.
“Straightforward job, my ass,” he muttered, adjusting the throttle.
The sealed crate was secured tightly in the cargo hold, its dark surface gleaming faintly under the overhead lights. Kael’s gaze flicked to it through the cockpit window, a nagging unease stirring in his chest.
He glanced at Jack, who was watching him now, its head tilted in that curious way that always seemed to suggest it understood more than it let on.
“At least you’re not giving me the lecture,” Kael said, his smirk faint but genuine.
Jack chuffed softly, as if agreeing to let him figure it out on his own.
The fog below shifted and swirled, creating the illusion of movement in the stillness. The vast expanse of Aerona’s skies stretched endlessly around them, the stars above twinkling faintly against the dark canvas of the night.
Kael leaned back slightly, his fingers tapping idly against the control panel. The thrill of flight was always a comfort, a reminder of why he’d chosen this life. But tonight, the usual freedom felt tempered by the weight of what lay ahead.
The Starlance hummed steadily, carrying them forward into the unknown.