Chapter 29

A month has gone by after the killing of the High Matron.

I open my eyes, surveying the surroundings of my cabin on Void Star from my bed. I roll off to the side to look at the chronometer on my nightstand. It blinked 04:00 at me. After some stretching and squirming around under my bedsheet I toss it aside to uncover my naked body to get up and get ready for another monotonous day aboard the ship.

We were currently on a short cruise back to Eridan III to inform Farsa of our success. As I walk onto the bridge, I look at our helmsman "what is our ETA?" The Helmsman replies briskly, his hands still at the controls. I found out he has a habit of flying the ship manually as he does not trust automation much. "Our ETA is about one hour, Skipper."

I nod thoughtfully and sit in my spot at the bridge, contemplating my next move. With the high matron out of the way, I have fulfilled my end of the bargain. My best bet was to head somewhere to gather information and network with potential allies. If I was to finally confront this organization I had to gain allies who can get me information, weapons, resources. I need all three of these things, and in the criminal underworld? They are plentiful if but precious and expensive commodities.

***

After another hour, I walk down the cargo ramp to the landing pad at the main compound to House Reghyn. The pad was situated precariously over the side of a cliff, with a waterfall flowing underneath it into a valley ravine. Atop the cliffs was the main residence of House Reghyn with a large garden of exotic flowers and other flora. Aside this was a pair of guest houses and a dwelling for the servants and staff of the residence.

I walk down the main path towards the main house and knock on the tall double doors. After a moment, the doors creak open and I enter the main foyer where a servant guides me to the main hall to speak to Farsa, or the Matron of their house.

Farsa gave me a warm smile "Miss Kara, may I help you?"

"I Have done as you have asked, Farsa. I will be on my way." I turn to leave, but Farsa replies "then I shall begin. You were very good at your job, Kara. we have some things to discuss before you depart."

She stands from her seat, walking towards me "first of all, know you are always welcome in House Reghyn. Our doors will be open to you." she smiles genuinely and then that smile grows "secondly, with the death of high-matron Kelle, I will likely be taking over as high matron after a council of several house leaders and matrons. If you need anything from me.. Know that you have one favor I can grant free of any strings attached. I owe you my position after all."

The Iridian matron clears her throat "that said, Void Star is yours. I permit Galinae to be in your care, I believe I can trust you to that end. Besides, the life of noble court was never for her tastes."

I smile slightly "thank you for those words, that means a lot to me, Matron." I turn and face the Iridian woman.

"What will you do now I wonder?" Farsa thinks aloud. I smile coyly "that is my path to walk, but if I need your help then you are but a comm call away." Farsa nods at my words "A wise move to keep your cards close to your chest, Kara. it seems I have nothing else to teach you." she smiles warmly "then you may go, with my blessing. I await the day you require my assistance if that day ever comes."

With that I nod and exit the main hall and wind throught the corridors of the residence, back outside to the main courtyard. I find a single table under a pagoda with another iridian sitting in a seat. Clad in blue and purple garments that leave little of her curves to the imagination, Beautiful even by iridian standards.

The woman beckons me to join her with a hand. I decide that if this is an ally then I should do so. If not I will kill her. As I sit, the woman smiles at me, making direct eye contact. It is then I realize that it is Matron Vanrea. "Matron Vanrea, you wish to speak with me?"

"That I do, Kara right?" she smiles "I remember you from the party many months ago. My sisters speak highly of your skill and tenacity in battle." she sips a cup of tea slowly as I raise one thin eyebrow. "I take it that this is not a social call, matron?" she giggles "of course not! See, I tire of the politics of the great Iridian houses and I wish for a change. You have my attention and respect for your deeds in disposing of high matron Kelle. Awful woman she was." I nod along with her words as the Iridian woman sets her cup of tea down "that said, I would like to join you and Galinae on your travels. Do not worry about who will run the house in the meantime, I have left it in capable hands that I trust."

She smiles at me "that said, will you let me?" I stare at the woman for a few moments, gauging her body language. Nothing indicated any reason to believe she was lying to me and she gave me a genuine smile. "Of course, Matron I-" they interrupt me. "Please, call me Vlondril, dear. I am not a matron anymore." she smiles "I will see you on the ship then?"

I nod slightly "of course, Vlondril." and after my response, I rise from my chair and turn "be at the ramp in 20 minutes for departure." After our brief exchange, I walk away to take care of some small matters before our departure. Gathering supplies and spare parts from the city at a commodities trader before our journey to a destination that I had in mind.

******

About two days later, Void Star slipped silently through the vacuum of space on the edge of the Eta-Eridani system, it's hull gleaning in the sunlight bathing it's black and dark gray painted, Titanium-Iridium alloy hull as the ship rolls to starboard, aligning for the faster-than-light jump.

Aboard the ship, Galinae was at the comms station on the bridge awaiting Kara's orders.She had grown to respect the woman, finding her to be a gruff and blunt person, but something about her character spoke to her yet she could not place it.

Kara spoke on the ship Intercom. "All hands prepare for FTL jump. Spool the grav-drive for jump. Seal all bulkheads and shut down phizon engines 1 and 4. All personnel, secure yourselves to a guard rail if standing or fasten your restraints if seated. Jump in 10… 9… 8…"

As the countdown wore down, the two outer engines shut down, the blue glow from the exhaust nozzles dimming. A low hum verberated in the ship as the two reactors diverted their turbines to generators to power the grav-drive for the FTL jump.

Once the countdown hit zero, the ship elongated and disappeared in a blink of an eye. It will re-appear five days later in space beyond the Terran Federation or Systems Commonwealth's influence…