Episode 6.1 - Reunion on Tormahs

Today, I finally see my mother again. But I'm also afraid for her, especially since I encountered Larana.

As a prisoner of Torsos and a former slave, she must have had it worse than me so far. But still, I don't want to go back. I came here to find out how she's doing.

Maybe my concern for her is unfounded.

***

Mak gathers some of the fruits lying on the ground and presses them into my hands. "Provisions!" he shouts loudly when I ask what's going on. He also collects some of the fruits from the ground. When Mak is done, he calls for departure.

He leads me to another gate leading out of the garden. It borders directly on a large square where a few spaceships are parked. Transporters like the one we flew here in, but also smaller, boxy ships.

A few men are walking between all the ships. When they spot Mak, they bow to him.

"Which one can I take?" Mak asks one of the men, pointing to one of the smaller ships. Immediately, a man answers his question and points to one of them.

"There are no spaceships there," Mak explains to me as we approach one of the vehicles. "Those are planet transports. Just small gliders."

Mak opens the door and I enter with him. It's like the transporter, the walls are bare, but here the entire vehicle consists of a single room. Benches are attached to the walls, except for the front one.

Mak puts the fruits on one of the benches and sits down. I follow suit.

"Do you really want to see your mother?" Mak asks me. His gaze is curious.

"Yes!" I say decisively. My gaze lowers to the floor as I continue speaking. "I'm just worried about her and want to know if my concerns are unfounded or not."

"But you know you've been really lucky so far," Mak mentions, to which I nod. "Usually, newcomers down there get roughed up. Probably just because you're both women. But the Big Guy is watching over you now. Everyone listens to him in the Death Zone."

I don't lift my gaze. What he says is already clear to me.

Mak leans back, sighing. "But there's also the possibility that your concern is completely justified. Or that it's even worse for her than you suspect."

A smile forms on my lips, but it seems more strained. "You seem to be trying to dissuade me from my plan," I conclude.

He laughs. "Not really!" he admits. "Is it working?"

I shake my head in response. He can't change my mind anymore.

"I just wanted to make you understand that the opposite could also be true," Mak's gaze wanders to the ceiling. "The prison where your mother is isn't exactly known for chatting nicely with the prisoners."

"The same isn't said about the Death Zone?" I ask him.

Mak bursts into laughter. "You're right about that too," he shouts, running his hand gently through my hair. "But now we should go." With these words, he stands up.

Just like with the ship, he only puts his hand on a point just before the wall and a screen appears showing the surroundings of the palace. In front of it is a control panel. After touching a few buttons, the glider rises into the air. And after a short while, we're off.

"To Kaera!" Mak shouts. He's about to sit down again when he remembers he can tease me.

My gaze isn't on him, but on the surroundings passing by us. The glider follows a path, out of the main gate of the palace, past seemingly endless green fields. It seems like the palace is somewhat off from the nearest city.

But I can't look at the surroundings for long. After a short time, the projection disappears, and the only thing I can see is a bare, metallic wall.

When I look at Mak, I see his grinning face.

"A 'yes' and I'll turn it back on," he says.

"I gladly say yes to Kaia's offer," I reply with a smile.

But Mak shakes his head and sits down beside me. "That offer isn't what I meant."

"Why can't I at least try?" I demand to know from Mak.

Mak leans back, his gaze wandering to the ceiling, his voice clearly indicating how much it annoys him. "She's so unpredictable that I don't want anyone around her who's female and also reasonably good-looking."

Is that a compliment?, I wonder. But what does reasonably mean? Anger rises in me at his remark. I've always been proud of being pretty, and he comes up with a remark like that.

But I don't say it out loud, instead saying something else.

"But Kaia said we could become friends," I remark, also leaning against the wall.

"Friends?" Mak exclaims. It's clear how little he believes that. "That's a joke now?"

"No!" I say. "Kaia said she would like to have me as a friend, and I'm sure she meant it seriously." Despite his words unsettling me, it's clear from my expression. "I'm convinced she meant it."

"Little one, there are reasons why Kaia's circle of friends is so limited! At the moment, it's only one person. As for the rest, those who don't somehow get along with her try to avoid her."

"And you?" my question is. "It sounds like you're friends."

Mak shakes his head. "I'm one of those who somehow get along with her. Like everything that's male and good-looking." He self-indulgently runs his hand through his hair.

"And arrogant!" I add.

"But I'm right!" protests Mak.

I have to admit that he's right. But I can't admit it aloud. My pride prevents me from doing so.

"I'm telling you, you're arrogant!" I say instead, smiling at him.

Mak sighs. Smiling, he shakes his head. After a short while, he becomes serious again.

"You can still change your mind!" says Mak. He takes one of the fruits and takes a bite.

Mak waits for my answer, but I shake my head.

I don't want to go back, no matter what he says, my decision is final.

Neither of us talks for the rest of the journey. While Mak trains, I think about what awaits me. And no matter how many times he tries to make it clear to me that the meeting won't be pleasant, my decision is final.