39: Aurelius
Pronkus fumes as he sits behind a lattice forcefield in jail. There isn’t much worse we can do to him without a Storm to drain. He’s basically a big, pissy, purple human. Eluni wants him dead. Allele wants him to think about what he has done, taking the son of a Keeper.
Eluni knows a lot about our history as a people. She just couldn’t say anything until now. But she will prove to be a useful guide in the days to come.
“When Vybron is done interrogating him over the treason, he’ll be taken to a long-term cell,” Fieri informs us.
Blaize clicks his tongue. “We could do better. Send him to a desolate planet with no tools and leave him to fend for himself. Preferably one with lots of poisonous critters.”
“I’ll request a vote on what to do with prisoners,” Wystor remarks. He’s been more than happy to join Genesis.
As we turn to leave, Pronkus throws a bone from his last meal and hits Blaize in the head.
Fieri grunts and plants his hands on his hips. “He must like you.”
“What? Why?” Blaize picks it up and tosses it in the trash.
“He threw you a bone.” Fieri shrugs like he doesn’t understand how Blaize didn’t get it. “Wants to see you again.”
“Dude, we have to work on your sense of humor,” I chuckle.
Fieri sighs. “I amnota Gruntpa. I am cool. You cannot claim I amthatold.”
“You know that’s a compliment, right?” I point out. “And have you seriously been fuming about that this whole time?”
“Yes!”
As we leave the jail area, sharing a laugh, a blur of black and orange flies out from a hallway. Fieri grabs the Denarso by the throat and slams him over his knee. The crack of the enemy’s neck is audible.
Fieri sets a hand over his chest, pushes the Denarso to the floor, and electrifies a hole.
“Still a few of these bastards roaming the ship.” Fieri gets up, grabs the Denarso by the collar, and casually drags the body to the nearby hangar as if he’s taking out the trash. “It is delightful to have use of my Storm again.”
Wystor turns to me and mouths, “Delightful?”
I shrug. “Fiesty Fieri has a fiery streak.”
Wystor clutches his tablet to his chest.
I rest a hand on his shoulder. “Don’t fear anyone here. If anyone hurts you or anyone else, I will kick their nuts into the next solar system.”
“Where is Jovie?” Fieri asks. “Is she unwell?”
“She’s getting checked by Amphiran doctors to make sure all the surges didn’t hurt the baby. It’s still really early.” I hook a thumb over my shoulder, trying to stay calm despite the sudden rush of thoughts and concerns about becoming a father.
I’ve been keeping busy withGravionrepairs to block out the worry. “I’m going to go check on her, then talk to Vybron about our trip to Amphir.”
“Give him a kiss for me?” Blaize asks.
“Sure, I’ll grope him a little for Fieri, too.” I grin.
“Leave me out of that,” Fieri remarks with a head shake.
Jovie exits the door beside him.
“Done early?” I ask, gathering her in my arms.
She kisses me. “Have time for me?”
