Star Wars: The High Republic: Defy the Storm by Justina Ireland & Tessa Gratton

Author:Justina Ireland & Tessa Gratton [Ireland, Justina]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Publisher: Disney Lucasfilm Press
Published: 2024-03-05T00:00:00+00:00

“That mask looks adorable on you,” Xylan said as he stepped down onto the deck of the Lightning Crash’s docking bay.

In the corner of his eye, he saw Avon tilt her mask-covered face toward him. The gas mask had started out as an extra from Deva’s store, plain but for the Eye of the Nihil insignia splattered across the crown. But they’d worked together to put some personal touches on it with what they could find around the ship: broken glass edging the jaw like a cutting smile, and shards of a smoky quartz Avon had been willing to part with across the upper half like the arm of a galaxy. Xylan could only assume that behind the mask Avon was glaring at him with all her might and baring her teeth in a sneer, too. Xylan laughed. He didn’t have his mask on. His was more of a simple rebreather anyway. It worked in the unfortunate necessity that he needed it but was nothing like the gratuitous masks most Nihil designed for themselves. He refused to put that ugly eye anywhere on his body. Anything to stand apart, to remind them he was not one of them, that they still could not touch him. He hoped.

Avon’s mask was part of her disguise. Additionally, she wore a too-big jacket of Deva’s that they’d roughed up at the edges and quickly patched with scrap metal down the back in a spine. They’d added the same to her boots, gluing little metal teeth to the toes. As Avon strode angrily beside him, it was obviously a great touch. Xylan left the laughter on his face in a haughty smile as he nodded to one of the Nihil deck crew. But he said nothing. Better to ignore the Nihil, to pretend he was above them.

“Hey,” called a human Nihil with unappealing green hair.

Xylan continued to ignore them.

“That’s the Dreadful Day. The ship of a traitor,” the Nihil called.

Avon stumbled beside him, then whirled to face the Nihil.

Xylan stepped between them, putting on his best sneer. “And do you think we would have it if Deva Lompop lived?”

The Nihil peered at him, gloved fingers tapping on the grip of a large blaster. They narrowed their eyes at Avon. “You claiming to have killed that Shani?”

“Not me, obviously,” Xylan smiled. “This little terror.”

Avon squared up.

“Who’re you then?” The Nihil bared their teeth. It made them look extra wretched.

“This is Veevee,” Xylan answered before Avon could speak. “Cute, I know, but that’s how she gets the drop on you.”

The Nihil started forward, but Avon thrust out her arm with a little twitch, and Xylan did his best not to appear surprised at the tiny dart launcher. He knew this Starros menace would have something up her sleeve.

“I think our possession of the Dreadful Day ought to be proof enough for you, but we can demonstrate,” Xylan said lightly.

“Whatever,” the Nihil said, backing up.

Xylan and Avon strode for the deck exit. Avon muttered something under her breath. When they reached the door, Xylan keyed his ID into the lock pad and it groaned open.

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