Chapter Fifty

"Where is the ship?" My words cut through the air, sharp and focused, the intensity of the moment drowning out any extraneous thoughts. Kaden's response buzzed in my ears, my senses heightened as I absorbed the information. We ascended the stairs of the hotel, each step a calculated move, acutely aware that the ground below would soon be swarming with the authorities of Lena.

"West holding yard," his voice carried the weight of urgency, his holographic projection materializing the coordinates before us.

"I know where that is," I murmured, a tinge of confidence lacing my words as I pushed open the rooftop door, revealing the sprawling cityscape before us. The high-rises stretched toward the sky, a labyrinth of steel and glass, ripe with opportunities and danger. I paused at the rooftop's edge, the exhilaration of the task ahead quickening my pulse.

Activating the grapples of my Cyro suit, the solid forms of the grappling devices molded into my palms like extensions of my will. They were weapons and tools, manifestations of my skillset. "Try to keep up, Kaimari," I jested, my tone laced with a playful challenge. With a flick of my wrist, I shot the grapple at a nearby building, launching myself into motion.

The art of rooftop gliding was a dance of physics and precision, a symphony of calculated leaps and precise timing. It had been a long time since I had the freedom to soar through a city like this. With each propulsion, each rooftop I cleared, the thrill surged through my veins. The wind whispered past, the rhythm of my heart in sync with the rhythm of my steps. It was like flying, a sensation of liberation.

Kaden's approach was grounded, a parallel journey of efficiency. He navigated the urban terrain with a measured grace, his movements fluid yet controlled. His agility was evident in each leap, the muscles in his legs coiled like springs as he bounded from rooftop to rooftop. Occasionally, he rolled upon landing from a particularly lofty jump, his motion a seamless transition. His jets engaged when necessary, a safeguard against unseen dangers, while his heightened awareness scanned for potential threats that I, in my reckless focus, disregarded.

Time blurred as we continued our rooftop ballet, our trajectories interweaving through the city's intricate fabric. The buildings became an extension of our bodies, an unspoken partnership of movement and intent. I felt the rush of adrenaline in my veins, a heady cocktail of risk and reward.

After what felt like a suspended period, the skyline shifted, the West holding yard materializing in the distance. My mind snapped back to the task at hand, the destination my singular purpose. As we closed in on our goal, I prepared for our descent, the wind whipping past as I positioned myself for entry.

Approaching the shipyard, my intent crystallized into action. My cyro-covered arm connected with the hundred-foot glass ceiling, and with a controlled force, I broke through. I lowered myself into the shipyard, my boots touching down on the solid ground with a muted thud. With guns in hand, the weight of their familiarity grounding me, I was ready for the fight that beckoned. A reckless determination fueled me, a primal instinct for confrontation that resonated deep within my core.

Our entry into the shipyard proved to be a test of our combined skills. Kaden's initial attempt at diplomacy, displaying the keys to the ship with a cordial gesture, faltered under the weight of their suspicion. The blaring alarm seemed to amplify the tension, setting the stage for inevitable conflict. The guards, their expressions a mixture of wariness and readiness, left no room for negotiation. Kaden's actions were swift and decisive, his movements a symphony of precision as he dispatched them one by one. A power emanating from his suit, an ability I had never before witnessed, stunned them into submission.

Within moments, we stood amidst the aftermath of the confrontation, the guards incapacitated and the shipyard once again shrouded in silence. The ship before us was a more advanced iteration of the Model X, a luxury vessel that spoke of opulence and sleek design. Its form exuded a sense of power, and its capabilities matched its imposing appearance. Two formidable laser guns flanked its structure, while the interior boasted a sprawling layout. A captain's lounge for twelve, numerous bedrooms and bathrooms, a medical center, and a spacious kitchen area were among the ship's many features. I was no stranger to this type of ship; my history with Jace's older versions had equipped me with the knowledge to navigate its functionalities.

As we stepped onto the ship, Kaden's presence was a constant, a quiet assurance that gave weight to our actions. He stood by the control panel, an all-knowing figure, while I moved to the secondary controls nearby, my fingers intuitively navigating the systems. The ship's hum vibrated through my fingertips as I initiated the startup sequence, each action a step toward our escape from Lena's confines.

However, Kaden's voice sliced through the air, a tone that held urgency and caution. "Aurora," he called my name, his gloved hand halting my movements just before the final sequence. I blinked, my thoughts temporarily suspended. My hand trembled, a physical manifestation of the tumultuous emotions that churned within me. Unbeknownst to me, a small cut on my arm from our earlier encounter had been seeping blood, the crimson droplets falling to the floor.

His silent warning resonated deeply, the unspoken message clear. I stepped back, relinquishing control, allowing him to assume the helm as he brought the ship to life. The reverberations of the ship's engines hummed through the floor, and I retreated down the ship's hallway, seeking refuge from the maelstrom of emotions that threatened to consume me.

In the medical bay, surrounded by sterile equipment and the soft glow of lights, I sought solace within the confines of a medical bed. Anger coursed through me, a tempestuous undercurrent that I struggled to contain. My fingers moved mechanically as I sealed myself within the glass tube, a temporary cocoon of isolation. I closed my eyes, my breaths jagged and uneven as I counted thirteen, a forced ritual that acted as a lifeline to regain control.
—---
Having found a semblance of control within the glass tube's regulated environment, I stood, my anger still simmering beneath the surface. The rhythmic beat of my heart had been subdued by the machine's influence, yet my determination remained steadfast, unyielding to reason.

"Set course for Saxta," I commanded, my tone laced with authority as I entered the control room. Kaden's figure remained stationary, his back turned to me, an air of detachment surrounding him.

He didn't respond, didn't even acknowledge my presence. Frustration welled up within me, but I refused to let it deter me. "Set course for Saxta, Kaimari," I repeated, my voice unwavering, the weight of my orders heavy in the air.

Still, Kaden remained unmoved, an immovable force in the face of my command. Frustration mingled with determination, fueling my actions as I approached the control panel with resolve. Yet, before I could make a move, he reached out, his grip closing around my wrist with an unyielding strength. He rose to his full height, his presence a formidable barrier between me and the controls.

"We do not have the manpower to go to Saxta," he stated, his words a stark reminder of our limitations. Saxta, a world riddled with piracy and criminal factions, was a perilous venture, especially alone. The danger it posed was undeniable—a truth I understood all too well. Yet, my determination was unrelenting.

"I am going," I asserted, my voice unwavering as I tried to input the coordinates once more. "I swore an oath to protect Irina. I must go and save her."

Kaden stood his ground, his imposing figure casting a shadow over the control panel. My resolve met his steadfastness, an unyielding clash of wills. He positioned himself between me and the controls, his armor gleaming like a fortress against the backdrop of passing stars.

"We are returning to Rega," he declared, his tone resonating with authority. "My Inner Circle and I will discuss if we can help you."

I scoffed, a mixture of exasperation and determination coloring my laughter. "Help me? I'm going alone," I declared defiantly. My fingers reached for the control panel once more, and in the blink of an eye, our clash escalated into physicality. I moved with calculated speed, sidestepping him and attempting to evade his grip. However, he proved swifter, tripping me with a maneuver that left me sprawled on the floor. Irritation mingled with determination, and I rose with a growl, only to be swiftly overpowered by Kaden's strength.

His voice started to rise, a declaration forming on his lips, but it was abruptly cut off by a familiar voice, a lifeline of unexpected interruption.

"Kaden, is that you?" Elara's voice pierced through the tension, a voice both welcome and unexpected. In the split-second that followed, my focus shifted from Kaden to the communicator he wore. It was a fluid motion, as if the machine itself gravitated to my hand.

"Elara, this is Irina," I spoke into the communicator, my tone laced with urgency. The holographic image of Irina materialized before me, her features obscured by a headscarf that shielded her from the harsh desert winds.

"We're still on Lika," Irina's voice reached me, desperation underscored by resilience. "We haven't found a ship. We barely escaped the Empire."

"We'll come for you," I vowed, my fingers instinctively working the controls, intent on punching in their coordinates. Yet, Kaden's hand once again halted my movements, his grip firm and resolute.

"We just evaded the Empire," he addressed the hologram of Elara, his tone laced with caution. "We cannot compromise our location. Where is Isodel?"

Elara's expression shifted, her voice hesitant. "She's injured," she began, but Isodel's unyielding determination interjected.

"I'm fucking fine, Kaimari. Just need a few more days to recover," Isodel's voice chimed in, unwavering and resolute as ever.

"Let me see Isodel, Elara," Kaden's voice, once stern and commanding, now carried an undertone of concern. A fleeting pang of jealousy washed over me as I detected the softening of his voice. "What was hit?"

"Two blaster shots, saving your girlfriend," Isodel's groaned reply carried both pain and a hint of humor. She lay amidst the sandy terrain, her form swathed in protective fabrics against the unforgiving desert elements. "Don't compromise your location for us. We'll be out of here in a few days."

Kaden and I exchanged a knowing glance, my eyes drawn to the linen bandages that enveloped Isodel's wounded left shoulder—a stark reminder of the perils she had faced. Blood seeped through the fabric, an unsettling sight.

"We're coming to get you," Kaden asserted, his voice overriding Isodel's protests. "We have a medical bed, an unmarked ship. But it comes with a condition."

Isodel's groan resonated once again from the sandy ground. "You bastard," she grumbled, her voice laced with a mix of annoyance and camaraderie. "I've already been shot twice at your command. What else?"

Kaden's response was unyielding, his words carrying an air of urgency. "I need you to help me rescue one of Irina's sisters."

My heart swelled at his words, a warmth spreading within me. This was Kaden—my Kaden, who defied odds and protocols for the sake of those he cared for.

Isodel's groan seemed to hold a certain playful tone as she replied, "No, the Inner Circle hasn't agreed on a vote."

"This isn't the Inner Circle," Kaden countered, determination firm in his voice. "It's just the four of us. I haven't heard from Zade and Cal. They could be dead."

Isodel's teasing response was swift. "Playing around with the rules now, are we?" Her tone shifted, the camaraderie palpable. "Fine, Kaimari, save me if you must, but hurry up."