his fist to

ronized as a machine being powered off. There were no unnecess

he darkness, his vertical pupils like two thin slits. The forest wa

up

lver membrane from their spatial container. The membrane unfolded and automatically levitated, forming a translucen

led to th

warm yellow glow on the surrounding tree trunks. She huddled inside the sh

r nutrition packet and

. "Didn't scare you, did you? We don't us

, and the edges were charred. A burnt smell mixed with

will not

verything edible was food. Rotting flesh. Tree bark. Radiation-c

was full of energy-she could feel the bioenergy released as the meat

ked him

boss said you're a distinguished guest. B

an

ame from acros

dly. His movements were slow, focused as if performing some sacred ritual. But his g

like she w

e was safe. There was no hostility in Kaelen's gaze-she could tell. It was somethi

k a dee

t the right amount of despair and pleadin

take me awa

lected in her light brown eyes, making a g

really don't remember how I got her

ngle

ed of the slide was just right.

on't worry! Our boss will definitely get you safely to the Wome

d in agreement. Even Nolan's

stared

le

irelight, his expression unreadable. His jawline tightened and

he

wo

oo

ht smile played at the corners

that e

it tore through the air was completely silent. Its silver-gray hull resembled a bullet, its surfac

open. White l

lowed Kael

uly lit up

oating control panels. Holographic projections swirling in the air. Everything was

aced by a blank, timid, and cautio

te ca

nd tidy. There was a bed, a table, and a porthole window. The walls we

ood at th

l arrive at planet M

er face. Then he turned and left. His footsteps

t the doo

vanished from

corner. The vents. Under the bed. The inside of the table leg

d to the

d warp drive, the view outside the window stretched and distorted abruptly, transforming into a dazzlin

ll of this. H

re. Women's Protection Association. Interstellar trav

nt power within her. These are her greate

continue to play the role of Autumn-that

down on

can't

ouldn't be erased overnight. Her body lay still, but her sen

eps. W

ky..." "I wonder how much the association will reward her..." They lowered their

nd suddenly

abin step by step. Closer and close

body te

table-the only thing in the cabin that could be used as a

ide the door stopp

y a quiet, expectant silence. Like someone stand

a very long t

stance. Much slower than when they arri

the light filtering thro

ground. Broad shoulders. His posture

cogniz

el

her door. Was h

ts place. She lay back down, staring at the

s he wan