Talon the Avenger by A. A. Warren

Author:A. A. Warren [Warren, A. A.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Blackwing Books
Published: 2024-07-16T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE_

Kronos coughed as he trudged through the dark tunnel. Thereon walked ahead of him, a tiny ball of glowing light hovering above his open palm. A dense cloud of dust and rock particles filled the tunnel. Despite the intense glow of the tiny sphere, visibility was limited to a few meters at best, and breathing was difficult in the thick haze.

The navigator paused and leaned against the rock walls of the narrow tunnel. “Thereon, let us rest a moment. We’ve been wandering for hours, and I fear we may be lost.”

“Lost?” The child peered into the shadowy depths with his wide, dark eyes. “Lost? But you’re a navigator. You said this was the way we⁠—”

“I know what I said,” Kronos snapped. He coughed again then swallowed, tasting dirt and copper in the back of his mouth. “Just because I’m a navigator doesn’t mean I never get lost. The ship’s computer does most of the complex calculations.”

He looked down at the child and shrugged. “Truth be told, I never served as a starship navigator before. When the Sorari offered my services to Talon, I leapt at the chance. It was either that or remain in their dungeon.”

“If you’re not really a navigator, what are you?” the youth asked, tilting his head.

Kronos blinked then thought for a moment. “That’s a good question.” He slumped down, sitting on the rocks. “I fled my people’s army during our latest war. It was a pointless, bloody affair. I saw no reason to sacrifice my life just to keep an incompetent king on the throne.”

“You’re a deserter?” Thereon gasped. “Is that why the Sorari threw you in a dungeon?”

“Oh, no, not at all,” Kronos said with a grin. “The Sorari were hired to slay a smuggler transporting illegal narcotics into Dominion space. I was merely a stowaway in his cargo hold. There were some outstanding warrants for my arrest in several nearby systems. Misunderstandings, I assure you. But I was unable to purchase transport through legal means.”

He paused his rambling, noticing the surprised look on Thereon’s face. “Don’t gawk at me like I’m a common criminal,” he said, his voice taking on a haughty, indignant tone. He dusted off the shoulders of his uniform then straightened his cape. “It’s not my fault the Duchess of Zamaristan saw fit to gift me the sacred jewel of⁠—”

“No, it’s not that,” the child said in an excited voice. “It’s your hair. Look!”

The alien’s single eyed rolled up. A cool breeze rustled his hair, disturbing his carefully coiffed style. Coughing again, Kronos stood up and peered through the haze.

“By the gods… Fresh air! Where is it coming from?”

Thereon pointed to a mound of fallen rocks several meters away. “I think the ground collapsed over there!”

Kronos hurried over and climbed up the rocks. As he neared the top of the mound, he saw a faint light, barely visible in the subterranean gloom. "Hurry, child! There’s a way out up here!"

Thereon scrambled after him. Kronos reached down and grabbed his paw, helping him crest the fallen boulders.

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