I found Hayden in the same room I was pushed into. Instead of polish everything, it was an unused storage space with mats thrown in to give the illusion that they cared about out sleeping arrangements.

There was a new bandage around his thigh, a clean shirt with an extra for me which I quickly changed into to get rid of the blood my old one caught.

We looked at eachother, having the single light from above, and I sighed. “It wasn’t Sylv, if that’s what your asking.”

He closed his mouth and I was dared enough to brush some blonde out of his eyes. “Who is it, then?”

“Hmm, someone may be worse. He called himself Morgan, loyal to the Empire. Who doesn’t care that he killed a lot of people, and called you a killer too.”

“Is that all?”

“Also titling you as a trader, a backstabber--”

“What did he want?”

“For me to translate something on a base not so far from here. I said yes since he promised to drop us off.”

“Sounds easy enough.”

“It’s not what bothers me.” I let the blonde fall. “Humans, Hayden. There were humans here before me. What happened with them? Why were they messing with Morgan and hiding his sh*t?”

Hayden simply shrugged, placing a hand on my chest. “Whatever it is, it’ll be where he sends us. I’m going too, right?”

“Of course. How else can I make sure you’re safe?”

“I’m not your girl.”

“I’m not into them,” I shrugged back, “if you haven’t noticed.”

“What happened between us--”

“Can stay in that ship Morgan destroyed--”

“He what?”

“--And we can just stay as friends. Or not. I’m letting you decide, Hayden. But I need an answer.”

He grabbed a fist full of my shirt like last time, hovering on the idea of making something with a stranger among the stars.

“I think you look odd,” he said.

“Have you seen a mirror lately?” I retorted with a snort. I watch his dots glow. I really want to do it again with him this close.

“Do you believe what that Morgan fellow told you about me? That I’m a killer. A traitor. A backstabber. I could be all of those, you know.”

“No, I don’t. I believe that this is a new start for you. Whatever happened in the past, pssh it’s gone! Home Run outta here to never return. You are insane and gorgeous. And want to know more about you.”

He bit his lip, “You’re just saying that so you can--”

“No. I’m speaking truthfully.”

The pause that came soon after was a long one. We were frozen, forebaid to move until the words were spoken. The answer I needed.

“You’re something, Kohl Darling,” he sealed it with a kiss.

Glen was waiting for us the moment we were allowed to leave the small storage room, the stranger who was with the Captain.

Unlike the peacock, he looked plain with peach color dots as the only form of decoration. He was also shorter than me and that fact seemed to annoy him, since he barely passed Hayden’s height.

“Good morning,” I say.

He nods, “Same to you, Human.”

“I’m--”

“I don’t care,” His eyes shifted to Hayden, whose wavy hair had a life of its own. My fault again. He searched for a glimpse into what Hayden was thinking when he looked back, greeted by a stone wall where emotion should be.

Much like Morgan.

“I want to see the Captain,” Hayden said.

“He can not see you today.”

“Why not? I want to know why he wanted me killed.”

“He want--” Glen caught himself, taking a breath. “No. He wanted you both alive. It’s complicated right now, and perhaps when you return, he’ll make time for you.”

“Who is he to me? I know you know me.”

“I...can not answer that, Hayden. In time you will remember, I’m sure. Please don’t make that wedge.”

“I’ll decide that.” He extends his hand. “I want my blaster back.”

“That human thing? It’s outdated and--”

Hayden grunted, tell him that he didn’t care. “It’s mine.”

Glen shifted his glance to me. I shrugged with a smirk. Speaking in native tongue, he murmured something close to “I’ll be right back” before he turned to retrieve the useless blaster in the world of advanced technology.

We were led to a landing area, windy from the engines of the ships coming in and out of the mothership, still rocking the exposed skeleton look. All were the gray bullet with wings, similar to the one I had, but much bigger and reliable. One waited for us, already packed with what we needed for the trip. Glen ran his hand along the smooth surface with delight of the design. He spoke with one of the ship members who nodded in confirmation.

“Here we are,” He told us, activating the door that slid over itself to expose the inside. Spacious, it could hold more than three people. On the control board were multi colored buttons, screens, and a very comfortable looking pilot seat.

“That’s pretty cool,” I peered inside.

“It’s better than ‘pretty cool’. It’s the best thing we got to surviving the planet the base is on. Unfortunately, it can only withstand one storm, so we have to be smart about it.”

“What’s in the base anyway?”

“I don’t know.”

I doubted that. And Hayden--he couldn’t peel his eyes from the logo that stretched the side of the ship.

A flower made of stars.

Hayden:

"Empire. The flower of what hold our world. It’s beautiful now; but if one tries to consume it. The result will never be merciful. Remember this. Remember why those who oppose it shall crumble and wilt."

“Hayden?”

I jumped when Kohl called my name, my mind elsewhere for a second. I didn’t trust Glen. I didn’t trust anyone who wasn’t Kohl.

I need to know who this captain is and what I did to earn notoriety. From my record, It won’t be too far fetched to guess it had something to do with killing his people. He did call me a murder after all.

Was he scared to see me? Glen was as useless to me on this as a boat was on land. What an annoying guy.

“Glen’s ready to go.”

I came over and hopped in after Glen who took over the piloting duties. Kohl and I dressed in suits that were provided on the ship before strapping into the seats.

Glen flicked on switched above him to stir the engine into consciousness. It was nothing new to me. It felt all...natural. And for once I knew what to expect. As for Kohl, he looked a little nervous.

I accepted him. Because a stranger among stars was the closest thing I had to security. I felt safe if he was close.

I squeezed his hand, giving him a nod.

He seemed to understand and replied with his smile. The pressure built once Glen shifted gears at his side.

Kohl tensed at that, yelping as the ship shot out, making everything a blur as we sailed back into the void.

We were pressed into our seats.

“No, no, no!” Kohl gasped, his eyes closed. “Oh God, I’m going to be sick!”

“Stop being dramatic,” I told him, “Nothing a wimpy human like you can’t handle. I think.”

I felt completely fine.

Once we were out of the ship’s pull, Glen slowed down to Kohl’s relief. And there we stayed for a few hours more.