Stars were all they saw, all around them. It’d been the same for days and days and days... Sometimes it felt like they were not moving at all. All those bright dots looked the same.

It was silly, of course. The patterns changed, he knew as much. He had a ship too, after all. Being a pilot, though, was quite a different experience from being a passenger. Always things to keep you busy when you’re at the helm.

Truth be told, Kaine had never expected the trip to take so long. This had to be the slowest ship in the entire universe! He’d have to apologize to Val for making fun of her ship—assuming he ever saw her again. Starrider was old, but it was fast, there was no arguing with that.

To not get bored out of his mind, he spent the time telling Ondine stories from his past. He’d embellish details here and there to make them more entertaining, and omit some of the more embarrassing anecdotes.

The girl was a good listener, though sometimes it felt like talking to an empty room. He wished there was a way he could grant her the ability to speak. Even just to hear her laugh would have warmed his heart—she was always so serious. Though once in a while she’d gift him with a shy smile and it’d be enough to brighten his day.

The overhead speakers crackled.

“Kaine! Ondine! We’ve arrived. If you guys want to witness our landing, join me in the control room within the next twenty minutes.”

They both jumped to their feet and hurried toward the helm.

“Was about time,” muttered Kaine.

But when they reached the room, he froze and stared at the screen.

“That’s not Rimzana.”

The pilot blinked as he glanced at him.

“What? No, of course it’s not Rimzana! Whatever made you think—”

“You said you were taking us there.”

“I am! But we need to stop here first. Didn’t Corvwah tell you?”

Kaine frowned. “All that man said to me was that he’d get me off Xovu.”

“Oh. Well...” He turned and waved toward the green and red surface. “Welcome to Dervistal. One of the last civilized worlds of the Imperium before we reach the rim.”

The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

The thief grunted. “Depends on your definition of ‘civilized.’ And please don’t tell me you made a detour to get us here. How many days have we lost?”

“None, actually. After you told me our destination, I arranged for the package to be delivered here. It’s right in our path.”

“What package?”

“The one you must get for Corvwah.”

Kaine sighed. “I guess I should have seen this coming. And do you know anything else about this package?”

“Nope. Nor do I want to know. Above my pay grade and all that. I’m just to drop you off here, wait for your return, then drop you off at your destination.”

“I don’t like this.”

Herun Dhen shrugged. “Think of it as a quick layover.”

“You don’t normally have to go on a mission during a layover. And why didn’t Corvwah have this package sent to him directly?”

“Don’t know. Don’t care.”

“And what am I supposed to do with it? I don’t expect to see Corvwah again any time soon.”

“Don’t know. Don’t care.”

Kaine grunted. “Fine.”

While they chatted, the pilot was taking them down closer to the surface. They could now see that the red areas were jungles of fiery trees, while the green ones were oceans.

“Where are the cities?” asked Kaine with some apprehension.

Dhen glanced at his screens.

“All I know is that we’ll be on the ground in five minutes.”

“How do you even know where to go?”

“Landing beacons.”

“I don’t see anything out there,” said Kaine as he leaned to look down through the window.

“Me neither. But they’re not something you’re supposed to see. They’re thilium signals that are sent directly to the core. Only the ship’s AI can perceive and understand them. I’m surprised you don’t know about this. I thought you had a ship?”

Kaine grunted. “I do. But I’ve never been to a world that used this...”

“Ah. I keep forgetting you’re a rimworlder.”

“You say that like it’s a bad thing.”

“Apologies. I didn’t mean to offend.”

They fell quiet after this, watching as the ship completed the landing procedure. As they came within a few feet of the ground, the earth parted, revealing a cavernous chimney. Their descent continued for a few more minutes until they finally touched solid ground.

Herun Dhen stretched.

“Well, this is it folks. You know where to find me when you’re done.”

“That’s it? I don’t even know where I’m supposed to go.”

“Oh! Right. Sorry about that.” The pilot’s fingers ran across the dashboard. “There! I’ve uploaded the address to your wristpad. That should help. Good luck.”

“I have a bad feeling about this,” Kaine muttered as he took Ondine’s hand and walked out of the bridge. He looked down at her as they walked on. “Look, I’m gonna go out there, but you have to stay here.”

The girl frowned and shook her head.

“I know you want to come, but we don’t know what’s out there and—”

She hit him in the chest with her free hand.

“Ow! Ondine! Don’t do that! I know you think you can protect me, but that’s not how it works. I’m the one who’s supposed to protect you. And you’ll be safer here.”

He caught her wrist when she tried to hit him again.

“Stop it!”

She kicked him.

He yelped and let go of both her hands.

“Fine! Be that way. But when this is all over, you and I will need to have a serious talk about manners and proper behavior, young lady! You’ve grown a tad too fierce lately.”

She stuck her tongue out at him, and he couldn’t help but laugh.

“Alright,” he said. “Let’s go out there and see what this is all about, shall we?”

Ondine grabbed his hand and pulled him toward the exit.