HAWK

CHAPTER NINETEEN: INFERNO (3/6)

The journey to Xeo would have taken the Calista at least ten days to traverse, but Astrid was on target to arrive there in less than three - and that was with frequent course alterations.

Following their meeting, Astrid had directed Captain Mack to a storage unit filled with nourishment packs: very thin packets of powder which when rehydrated became a drinkable meal. Kas gulped a dozen of them down in no time, eager to restore some much-needed nutrients to her starved body. Worm, still in a sulk, took an armful of them before climbing into a sleeping alcove hidden behind a nitroglass wall in the main cabin. There was only one other alcove on the opposite wall which Captain Mack offered up to Kas, but she insisted she wasn't tired.

'Suit yourself,' Mack said as he kicked his boots off and clambered in. 'I could sleep till we reach the other side of the system.' He lay down and was about to close his eyes when he became aware of Kas standing outside and staring at him. 'What?'

'Why were you there?'

'Where?'

'Eidol.'

'I was transferred there a few months ago to replace the previous captain who went missing. A Sharanese guy called Fei.'

'What happened to him?'

'Swanne sent him to Lysan on a job but he never arrived. They found his ship in orbit but there was nobody on board. He just disappeared. Personally, I don't think he ever left Eidol.'

'You think Swanne did something to him?'

'No doubt. But I guess we'll never know for sure.'

Kas heard a noise behind her and turned to see the nitroglass wall sliding closed on Worm, sealing her in a soundproof display. She pulled a sheet over her head as the nitroglass turned opaque.

'She's a smart kid,' Mack said. Kas turned back to him and raised an eyebrow.

'She's eight years old and she can repair spaceships. Smart's not the word.'

'I wasn't talking about implants. She's clever even without all that stuff. Convent kids are normally shy and withdrawn. That one's got guts.'

Kas nodded but said nothing.

'Wake me up in eight hours,' Mack added as he closed his eyes.

'Sure.'

'Wasn't talking to you. Tuck me in, would you Astrid?' The black nitroglass wall slid closed and blocked Mack from view, leaving Kas staring at her own reflection.