Dynasty of Chains

Outside the Eta Terra Gateway Starport, a red Juno-class ship emerged from faster-than-light travel, appearing eight kilometers away in a brilliant flash of light. The station itself loomed majestically in the void, with two massive contra-rotating cylinders spinning smoothly in opposite directions. Each cylinder, measuring 1,800 meters across and 548 meters thick, produced a comforting centrifugal force that created the sensation of gravity. The outer shell, often called ‘the crust,’ was decorated with city-sized blocks of inverted towers that jutted outward like giant stalagmites. Here, the wealthy elite enjoyed stunning views, luxurious penthouse suites, and the comforting effects of 1g.

Inside the Sun Tzu, Marcus sat low in his command chair, projecting authority amid the controlled chaos of the bridge. His eyes scanned the crew, immersed in their tasks at each station, as he supervised the routine docking procedure. The ship smoothly maneuvered toward the station’s entrance when an opulent male voice resonated through the speakers. “Sun Tzu, Bravo Charlie Four. Welcome to Eta Terra Gateway. We are pleased to have you at this facility.”

With an imperceptible nod to his communication officer, Marcus commanded, “Request docking permission.”

After a short pause, the posh voice returned, clear and sharp. “Your docking request has been approved. We have prepared for your arrival at docking pad three niner.”

With a cool detachment, Marcus turned his attention to the pilot, issuing a flat order. “Center approach and regulation flight speed.” As the pilot acknowledged with a sharp nod, Marcus cupped his fist, elbows resting on the armrests, and shifted his attention to the forward canopy. The bridge hummed with the quiet focus of dedicated work, while the speakers crackled intermittently with cross-talk from nearby vessels.

The Sun Tzu skillfully aligned its approach with the station’s entrance, a wide open strip at its center. Due to the immense size of the Juno-class ship, the red and green navigation lights of the station were merely a formality, as traffic was halted to allow the massive vessel to glide through the twin energy shields unimpeded. With deliberate slowness, the Juno-class ship slid through the portal, with mere meters of clearance above and below. Meanwhile, the flight control tower broadcast a clear warning through the station’s core: ’Please yield for larger vessels, and do not obstruct the access portal.’

The station’s core was a vast tube, 600 meters in diameter and 548 meters long, its walls bustling with a lively cityscape. Offices, busy malls, fancy restaurants, and residential areas jostled for space among the crowded layout. Two main transportation rings cut through the urban maze, dividing it into districts known as the bow, mid, and aft, while smoothly connecting to the extensive highways that snaked through the city.

The core’s simulated gravity, a mere 0.33g, created a unique environment that facilitated the movement of heavy cargo and maintenance operations. Although the station was known as the economic hub of the Menkalinan system, the real attraction was the Curly Loop Park, a stunning greenhouse with fountains that send arcs of water high into the air, gracefully curling back on themselves due to the Coriolis effect.

As the Sun Tzu approached docking pad 39 in the bow district, the flight tower communicated distance and altitude adjustments, guiding the pilot as he navigated the ship toward the holographic outline hovering above the landing pad. The massive craft lumbered into position, and when the magnetic locking clamps engaged, the ship jolted forcefully onto the deck. Marcus’s chair wobbled slightly as the ship settled, prompting an unsatisfied glare from the Prefect, his brow wrinkling.

On the docking pad, a flurry of station workers dressed in beige coveralls sprang into action, connecting the ship to the station’s network and power grid. Meanwhile, the powerful thrusters gradually powered down, their pervasive roar fading to the creaking sounds of cooling metal and the occasional echoing thud.

With the ship secured, the crew departed from the Sun Tzu. Among the crowd, armed guards formed a stern entourage around Kai, Parri, and Shreya, each restrained with electronic binders that hummed ominously against their wrists. Shreya trudged forward, her gaze fixed on the ground, barely lifting her eyes above the metal surface beneath her. Sandwiched between them, Kai walked along with a stoic, almost indifferent expression, as if this transfer was just another ordinary day. In sharp contrast, Parri’s eyes darted around in wonder, taking in the gleaming beauty of the Ursaen station, its architecture a stunning blend of glossy black towers with opulent gold detailing. Her admiration was hastened along by persistent nudges from a guard’s rifle in her back.

The trio was guided to the back of a plain black and gray security shuttle parked at the edge of the landing pad. The lead guard swung open the double doors with a metallic clang and pointed to the narrow walkway inside, lined with simple gray benches. Shreya hesitated briefly before stepping in and quietly taking a seat on one bench, while Kai and Parri exchanged glances, each choosing to sit opposite the Ursaen woman. The two guards quickly followed, closing the doors with a firm thud that echoed through the compact interior.

Kai shifted his gaze to the capsule-shaped window behind Shreya. As the shuttle lurched forward, he watched the commanding silhouette of the Sun Tzu slowly disappear from view, swallowed by the sprawling cityscape. As the shuttle sped through the core, the buildings in the bow district rushed past in a blur. Creating a strobe effect that danced across their faces as glittering streetlights streamed through the cab’s windows. Due to the weak gravitational force, the vehicle’s undercarriage magnets repeatedly tugged at the craft, causing the vehicle to bounce slightly as it traveled.

Distracting from the view, Kai felt Parri bump into his shoulder as she sought relief from the proximity of the guard beside her. When he glanced over, he immediately understood her discomfort. Each time the craft jostled, it brought the guard closer to her, causing her to squirm and shift her hips away. With little hesitation, Kai stood up and gently swapped places, earning a silent, grateful smile and nod from Parri as she slid across the bench.

“Remain seated! No moving around in the vehicle,” barked the guard, his voice leaving no room for objection.

Kai settled on the bench and stole a glance at Parri, who silently mouthed a ‘Thank you.’ Responding with a brief smile and a playful wink, his expression soon shifted back to indifference as his gaze returned to the single window. As the shuttle glided beneath the transport ring, the rhythmic hum of the tires resonated within the cabin like gentle static, a soothing thrum to accompany the uneasy ride.

In the distance, a pair of towering black structures came into view, their crisscrossing walkways resembling delicate strands of a spider’s web. Spanning the towers, an enormous holographic banner displayed a regal woman with flowing red hair, dressed in an opulent gown that draped like liquid silk. Beneath her portrait, the bold proclamation read, ‘Dynast Catilina Vitoricus, long may she rule.’

Moments later, the shuttle halted with a slight lurch in front of the towers. The lead guard swung open the doors with a commanding motion and stepped out quickly, his boots hitting the metal floor with a firm thud. “All right, follow me,” his modulated voice sternly directed, “keep your mag-boots active at all times and stay in a single-file line.”

As the group disembarked from the shuttle, Parri lingered at the back, her attention drawn to the monolithic building before them, its reflective walls gleaming like obsidian under the spotlights. The large glass doors, decorated with ornate gold trim, were framed by elegant arches. Above them, a sign boldly read ‘Eta Terra Apartments,’ with a subtle inscription below stating, ‘provided by Menkalinan Masons Assembly,’ in rich yellow letters.

Her eyes traversed the dizzying height of the structure, and a sudden wave of vertigo swept over her as she focused on a massive Emerald-class mining ship lifting off from the landing pad directly above. It felt like the craft was falling from the ceiling, plummeting toward the ground where she stood. When the thrusters roared to life, they created a thunderous sound, accompanied by a sudden burst of wind through her hair. The mining ship slowed to a hover and lumbered toward the exit. Shaking off the disorientation, Parri refocused on her footing and followed the others into the majestic building.

The interior was spacious and beautifully decorated, with towering marble pillars reaching the ceiling. The floor was a stunning swirl of cream-and-gold marble, polished to a mirror-like shine. At the center of the foyer stood a magnificent statue of a woman, elegantly posed in an ‘S’ curve. She reached upward with one hand, cradling a royal blue sapphire that shimmered like glass, representing the Legion’s colors. The statue also held a stone tablet engraved with the numbers ‘2350’, hinting at the formation of the Ursae Dynasty.

Surrounding the circular room, an array of bustling shops beckoned with colorful clothing and general merchandise, their lively displays brightening the atmosphere. To the left, steam billowed from the indoor bathhouse, creating a warm, welcoming feel. Meanwhile, mouthwatering aromas wafted from an upscale restaurant on the right, tantalizing the senses with exquisite culinary delights. The ambiance thrummed with life, laughter, and chatter as crowds moved like flowing streams.

As they ventured further in, eyes turned to the three bound prisoners being escorted by armed guards. Murmurs of disbelief rippled through the onlookers, their hushed whispers interspersed with pointed fingers. The crowd ebbed like a school of fish, leaving a zone of avoidance around the prisoners as they moved through the foyer. Amid the masses, a young child broke free and pointed at the Legion rank insignia on Shreya’s nanosuit. “Look, Mother, a Centurion!” he shouted, his innocence stark against the tension.

The child’s mother, elegantly dressed in a flowing purple gown adorned with extravagant jewelry, barely acknowledged her child. With a dismissive flick of her wrist, she signaled to her servant, who promptly seized the child by the arm and pulled him back into the throng. As the woman’s gaze fell upon the prisoners, her expression shifted from one of dubious curiosity to outright disdain, her lips curling into a contemptuous sneer. With a voice laced with arrogance, she coldly informed her child, “That is not a Centurion anymore. She is a criminal, and we do not associate with that type of ilk.”

The group weaved through the bustling crowd toward a sleek glass elevator. Moments later, the doors slid open with a whisper, revealing a polished interior. The leading soldier adjusted the sling of his rifle across his chest and stepped in, pressing the button for the top floor as the prisoners followed behind him. While Shreya stayed silent, lost in her thoughts and brooding over the events, she cast a fleeting glance at the others. Kai looked calm, his hands casually fidgeting with his jacket as they went up. Meanwhile, Parri nervously glanced at the guard’s expressionless face shield as he hovered uncomfortably close. Eventually, the elevator shuddered to a halt, unveiling a long, pristine white hallway with four elegant apartment doors.

The guard resumed leading the way, guiding the group across the polished floor. Each step echoed with sharp clicks, like a snare drum, until they reached the twin doors of Shreya’s apartment. The guard turned to the Centurion, nodding toward the control panel on the wall. Shreya stepped forward, pressing her wrist against the security scanner, which flashed green before the doors opened with a soft whoosh. ‘Welcome home, Mrs. Nova,’ a melodic female voice chimed from inside the room.

Before Shreya could step inside, the security guard interjected, holding Shreya’s arm firmly against the scanner as he retrieved a keycard from his belt. Sliding the card into the control panel revealed a range of permission override options. As the guard navigated the menus, his partner removed the prisoners’ bindings and motioned them inside.

Kai crossed the threshold first, with Parri close behind. The moment Shreya passed through, the guard took out the keycard and announced in a flat tone, “This apartment is locked down. You may not leave, and there will be no unauthorized visitors. External contact and network access will be limited.”

Before anyone could protest, the doors slid shut with a decisive click, accompanied by the mechanical grinding of tumblers locking. Parri stood rooted in place, taking in the apartment’s interior. Instead of the opulence she expected, with decorations of gold and excess, she found the apartment surprisingly sparse. The subtle concave white walls made the space feel open and airy, while recessed lighting bathed the room in a cool glow over the freshly vacuumed, soft white carpet.

The main area featured a sunken, round living space, distinguished by ornate doors at the far end. A crescent-shaped white sofa, along with plush reclining chairs, encircled a small, round table in the center, with a projected entertainment screen hovering above it. To Parri’s left, elaborately carved archways led toward the kitchen. On the right wall, a floor-to-ceiling window offered a stunning city view, with the sprawling metropolis twinkling like stars.

An unsettling scent of fresh wood lingered in the air, an odd contrast to the otherwise manufactured and sterile look. Although the apartment lacked vibrant colors, a handful of verdant plants added life to the stark environment. As she rubbed the marks the binders left on her wrist, she stepped into the living room. She noticed how the total absence of personal clutter, decorations, or photos made the space resemble a showroom from a high-end advertisement rather than a lived-in home.

“So, is this what a Ursaen apartment looks like?” Parri asked, a hint of sarcasm in her tone.

“Yes?” Shreya responded cautiously. “I suppose they all look pretty much like this one.”

Without waiting for an official invite, Parri plopped down onto the sofa, her careless thud muffled by the plush cushions. She sank deep into the fabric as her arms crossed behind her head, propping her oil-stained mag-boots up on the polished table. The fleeting bliss was quickly broken when she remembered that this was supposed to be a prison. Suppressing the grin tugging at her lips, she forced out a disapproving sputter and turned her gaze toward the window. “It’s too white,” she criticized, squirming against the cushions. “Insane asylums have more color.”

Shreya shot a glare at the woman sprawled on her couch, her frustration growing as she glanced at Kai, silently wishing for some semblance of respect from him. Being the first time non-Ursaens had entered her home, the experience was anything but pleasant. She pressed her palms against her stomach, feeling an uneasy queasiness rise within, a discomfort rooted in deep loneliness. Without Den by her side, she felt like an unwelcome guest in her own home, surrounded by uncultured strangers defiling her sanctuary. To restore a sense of civility, she clung to the polished Ursaen etiquette she relied on when dealing with the highest levels of the Dynasty’s elite. “Mr. Randal, would you care for a tour?” she asked, her tone filled with forced politeness.

“Sure,” he shrugged casually, “It’s not like I’m going anywhere.”

With a strained smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes, she gestured toward the large window dominating the room. “From here, you can see the entire city.”

Kai rolled his eyes in indifference. “Uh-huh.”

Undeterred, she pressed on, directing his attention to the elegantly curved walls, her voice gaining a hint of enthusiasm. “The walls are, in fact, overlapping panels that have been meticulously molded, shaped, and applied to create the illusion of curvature, even though they are actually flat.”

“Well, hot diggity.”

“Excuse me?” Shreya arched an eyebrow, caught off guard.

“Sorry, I mean, that’s interesting,” he corrected himself. “Please continue.”

Shreya’s eyes narrowed, but she moved on, “It is an optical illusion only the keenest architects can accomplish. It employs the repetition of form to create moiré patterns that distort our sense of depth. Take a look at how it blurs the line between foreground and background.”

Kai looked at the walls from different angles, squinting as he tried in vain to grasp the significance of her explanation. Unable to comprehend the intricacies, he opted instead for a cleverly crafted lie. “Oh, sure… looks curvy, uh-huh. Just like my co-pilot.”

Parri perked up, her head suddenly popping over the back of the couch. “What?”

“Nothing, nothing,” he dismissed with a casual wave of his hand, “We’re just talking about your similarities with a wall.”

Parri’s expression shifted from curiosity to annoyance almost instantly. “A wall?” she exclaimed, her voice increasing in anger. “I don’t have anything in common with a damn wall!”

Shreya couldn’t help but smirk as she interjected. “Actually, dear, I think he was complimenting you. Perhaps a little rude and brackish, but a compliment nonetheless.”

Sinking back into the depths of the sofa with a huff, Parri muttered, “Yeah, right. That man couldn’t muster a compliment even if his life depended on it.”

Shreya looked back at Kai and shook her head with a rueful smile. “At least I know you’re rude to everyone, not just me.”

“It’s to offset my overwhelming charm,” he quipped.

She fought the urge to laugh rudely, a gurgling snort escaping from her nose. “Charm? You? That’s hilarious, Mr. Randal. Very funny indeed.” Turning her head to hide her smile, she continued the tour, casually pointing toward a door, “That’s the master bedroom.”

Seizing the opportunity, Kai slowly approached and peeked inside, only to have Shreya interrupt with a sharp throat-clearing.

“Mr. Randal,” she said firmly, shaking her head. “I must ask you to refrain from wandering off.”

“Wandering off? What are you hiding in there?” he challenged, raising an eyebrow.

“Nothing of interest,” she replied tersely. “It’s considered impolite and distasteful to enter the private chambers of your host.”

“Ah, that makes sense,” he remarked, closing the door with a slight grin. “Don’t want your guests to see your dirty laundry.”

“Zaka takes care of dirty laundry,” she stated matter-of-factly, missing the double entendre. “I’m simply saying it’s poor etiquette to enter uninvited.”

Kai quickly looked around the apartment, seeing no one else, prompting him to ask, “Zaka?”

“Yes, Mr. Randal. He’s probably in the servants’ quarters behind the kitchen.” With a wave of her hand, she led him to the lavatory. “Shall we continue?”

As he followed Shreya through the lavish room, his gaze landed on Parri relaxing on the plush sofa. Teasing him about his situation, she pretended to hold a wine glass, her pinkie finger extended in exaggerated elegance. Every so often, she would mimic taking a sip, gently dabbing the corners of her lips with an invisible cloth as if she were a lady of high society. With a whimsical flair, she tossed her head back and lifted her nose in the air, putting on a theatrical show by batting her eyelashes at him.

A moment later, Shreya paused at the restroom, pushing the simple digital display to open the ornate door before glancing back at her guest. Caught off guard by Parri’s lively performance, Kai failed to notice Shreya had stopped. Reacting at the last second, he avoided her with a clumsy twirl and stumbled into the bathroom, declaring, “Ah, yes, the bathroom, my favorite place to visit.”

The striking opulence of the restroom made him pause, his eyes blinking in disbelief. The walls shimmered with a striking black-and-white marble pattern. A pair of elegant quartz sinks seamlessly extended from a grand wall mirror. A standing sonic shower, bathed in soothing blue lights, completed the spa-like atmosphere, while a massage table laden with an array of aromatic oils rested against the back wall. It resembled a serene sanctuary meant for relaxation rather than merely a place for hygiene. However, the most peculiar feature was undoubtedly the two toilets situated side by side, devoid of any privacy divider.

“Buddy toilets,” he remarked with a chuckle, gesturing toward the unusual setup.

“What is wrong with them?” Shreya inquired, arching an eyebrow.

“Nothing, I guess. In the UCC, we don’t typically enjoy knocking knees with our neighbor when dropping off cargo.”

“Ah, you’re referring to the inhibitions about nudity that everyone in the Unified Corporate Colonies apparently has. Ursaens aren’t shy about the human body like y’all are,” she countered.

“We’re not shy. I’m just saying some bodily functions are best done in private. Smelling someone’s leftovers is one thing, but watching the strain on their face while they push out a log is a bit too much,” Kai said with a cheeky grin. Turning back to Shreya, he noticed she had already moved into the kitchen, her voice echoing as she passed through the intricate archways. Rushing to catch up, he arrived precisely as she twirled, unaware of his brief absence, her hand gesturing toward the door leading from the kitchen.

“That is where the servants reside,” she explained casually.

“Servants?” he echoed, slightly taken aback.

“Yes,” she said simply with a nod.

Kai waited for further clarification, but she continued to prattle on about the artistic elements of Ursaen architecture. With a resigned sigh, he followed her gesture as she pointed to the neolithic counters with delicate carvings and the pristine white cabinets framing the kitchen. As he stood back, watching her pace around the kitchen and point out key features, he couldn’t help but notice a change in her demeanor. She was chatting more openly, yet a nervous edge colored her words. At intervals, she would zone out, a worried look overtaking her features as her eyes reddened and her lip quivered. When it seemed she might be overwhelmed, she would abruptly pivot to another topic, sharing little tidbits about the furniture or the historical significance of Ursaen design.

“Mr. Randal, would you care for something to eat?” she inquired, her hand sweeping toward the dining table.

His eyes flicked across the hook-shaped kitchen island to an oval glass dining table sitting proudly on an abstract sculpture, surrounded by six contemporary chairs. “Um, I guess so.”

Shreya approached the island counter, waving her hand over an almost invisible sensor, causing a built-in screen to appear. “Mr. Zaka,” she addressed the image of a man with short brown hair on the display, “could you please come out here and prepare two dishes of spongi flank kitfo for our guest?”

“What are you ordering?” Kai asked, his brow pinching.

“Alkaid spongi flank kitfo,” she replied plainly.

“No, I mean, what exactly is that dish?” he probed, still baffled. “I’ve never heard of it before.”

“It’s a staple Ursaen food, very nutritious,” she clarified. “It consists of minced Alkaid spongi flanks, marinated in a chili-based spice blend and drizzled with clarified butter infused with a variety of herbs and spices.”

“It doesn’t matter what spices you use,” he chuckled, rolling his eyes. “All I’m hearing is that you’re polishing a turd. Are you trying to serve us a sponge?”

“Oh, good grief, no! It’s actually a cut of meat from a small creature found underground in the Alkaid system. The animal is called a Spongivole because its skin resembles a sponge,” she elaborated.

“Uh-huh,” he replied, suppressing a smirk as he pulled out a chair from the dining table. “Sure it does.”

“Would you like something else?”

“No, no, I’ll try your poison,” he said playfully.

“It’s not—” Shreya stopped herself with a frustrated huff, shaking her head before continuing to talk with Zaka.

A few moments later, Parri strolled into the kitchen, pushing her violet bangs out of her eyes. “What did I miss?” she asked.

Draping his arm casually over the back of the chair beside him, Kai turned his gaze toward Parri, a playful smirk spreading across his face. “Blondie here is going to serve us sponge for dinner.”

Parri raised an eyebrow, a look of bewilderment crossing her features. “What? I’m not going to eat a sponge.”

Kai chuckled, his eyes sparkling with mischief. “But she made it sound delicious. Apparently, it’s a chopped-up, cave-dwelling sponge, with chili spice, butter, and herbs.”

Shreya let out a frustrated sigh and pivoted to face her guest, her hands on her hips. “It’s not a sponge. It’s called spongi flank because the creature it comes from looks—” She paused abruptly, her expression shifting from exasperation to resignation. “You know what, never mind. I’ll order something else. This is ridiculous.”

Kai suppressed an abrupt laugh. “I’m sorry, don’t change the order. I was only joking.”

Shreya shot Kai a sharp glare before shifting her focus to Parri. “Ma’am, I apologize, but I didn’t catch your surname.”

Parri glared. “Why do you need to know that?” she asked, settling onto the chair next to Kai, crossing her arms defensively.

“So I can address you properly,” Shreya explained earnestly. “Unless you’d prefer I keep calling you Ma’am.”

“Ugh, no thanks. Ma’am makes me sound like an old hag. What’s wrong with my first name?”

“Nothing is wrong with it,” Shreya replied with a hint of a smile. “But using your first name is quite informal, considering we’ve just recently met.”

“Whatever, my last name is Hasana,” she sighed, rolling her eyes.

“Very well, Ms. Hasana,” Shreya said with her soft southern drawl. “Y’all’s food should be ready shortly. Afterward, we can discuss our situation in greater detail. Until then, please excuse my absence while I tend to other matters.”

As Shreya exited the kitchen, her hands clasped tightly behind her back, she attempted to maintain a graceful, regal stride. However, as she moved farther from the two, her facade began to crumble. Sniffles escaped her lips, and she hastily wiped her eyes with the back of her hand, her pace quickening. By the time she reached the bedroom, she was nearly running, her sobs reduced to a muffled murmuring when the door slid shut behind her.

Parri shifted in her seat, the chair creaking softly beneath her as she looked at Kai. “This woman is trouble,” she blurted out. “Ever since we plucked her snobby ass out of space, we’ve had nothing but problems.”

Kai pinched the bridge of his nose beneath his glasses, letting out a long sigh. “This again?”

“Yes, this again! It’s always been this,” Parri insisted, bobbing in her chair to scoot it closer. “Why did you save her in the first place?”

“If we hadn’t picked her up, she would be dead right now,” he countered.

“True, but we’d also be richer,” she shot back.

Casting her a disapproving look, his mouth gaped in shock. “Wow, Parri, heartless much? I would have never guessed there was a shrew behind that pretty face. Are credits all you actually care about?”

“No, I care about— wait, did you just call me pretty?” she interrupted, her brows arching in surprise.

“Ha, figures you’d latch on to that,” he snickered, steering back to the topic. “I was referring to how selfish you’re acting.”

“I’m not selfish,” she insisted, her bottom lip puffing defiantly. “I just have selective interests, and the Ursae Dynasty is not one of them. Besides, aside from making credits, which we need to survive, what else is there?”

“Parri,” he began, his voice softer as he placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder, “someday, when you’re the commander of your own ship, I hope you realize that amassing credits isn’t the only reason to fly. Out there,”—he gestured broadly at the ceiling—“between the stars, you’ll find countless ways to earn credits. But if you let greed steer your ship, you’ll find yourself in a nebula of lost opportunities. You’ll desire more, take bigger risks, and cross unforgivable boundaries until finally you sacrifice your humanity to get it.

Her eyelids drooped as she leaned back, her face slack. “That was really preachy, even for you. What self-help advertisement did you get that babble from?”

“Just forget it,” he groaned, rubbing his temples.

“No,” she insisted, raising her voice as she slammed her palm against the table, the glass humming like a tuning fork. “I need to understand why you saved the Ursaen.”

His eyes darted to her hand, a flicker of alarm crossing his face as he leaned back. “You need to calm down.”

“I’ll calm down when you give me a straight answer,” she barked.

“Fine,” he relented. “The truth is, it didn’t feel right to hand over another human, Ursaen or otherwise, to those Stygiamites. Are you happy now?”

“No,” she huffed.

Kai scoffed, his upper lip sneering. “Well, if you won’t accept the truth, what answer did you want?”

“I don’t know,” she admitted, her voice softening. “It just felt like we had a good thing going, just the two of us. Now, with her around, you’ve been bending over backward to accommodate her. If I had given away our position to the Ursaen Legion as she did, you would have pitched me out of the airlock without a second thought. But with her, it’s like you’ve got double standards. I’ve been racking my brain trying to figure out what makes her so special. Why do you keep indulging her prissy demands and ignoring my advice?”

“Nobody can ignore you,” he said with a smirk. “Trust me, I’ve tried many times.”

Parri slouched into the chair, her posture curling inward as she pulled her feet to rest precariously on the edge of the seat. Her arms instinctively crossed around her knees as a frown deepened on her face. As her cheeks burned red with rage, she pressed her lips together, refusing to give his deflecting humor any credence.

“Look,” he said with a deflated sigh, “I’m only trying to help, which, I’ll admit, often lands me in hot water. The Stygiamites pose a threat to everyone, so when I saw an opportunity to save someone, I took it. I’m not ignoring your advice; I’m weighing my options. Your opinion matters, and as for Blondie, she’s just a bossy passenger.”

Parri huffed, a flicker of annoyance in her voice. “Then why are you refusing to tell me what happened at the hospital?”

Kai groaned, “That’s still bothering you? Alright, fine; here’s the story. She got a bit irate and decided to pick a fight. During our little tussle, the fist-throwing ended up on the ground, where she attempted to choke me with her legs, which explains my earlier comment. But, in the end, she gave up when she realized I wouldn’t submit. That’s what happened.”

Parri tilted her head to the side as she examined his neck, her intense expression turning into confusion. Leaning slightly, she raised one foot a little off the cushion, trying to visualize the mechanics of the maneuver. “Choked you with her legs? How did she… Did you just so happen to fall perfectly between her thighs?”

“It was a bit more complicated than simply falling. Blondie yanked my arm aside and swung one of her legs over the back of my neck and—” When he saw the crinkle in Parri’s nose deepen as he explained, he shook his head. “Never mind.”

“And nothing else happened?” she probed, slipping her feet back to the floor as she turned in her seat to face him.

His eyes darted to the side, thinking. “That’s pretty much the gist of it.”

“So we’re helping that snob because she whooped your ass?”

“She didn’t—” Kai closed his eyes and took a slow breath. “You know what, sure. We’re helping Blondie because she beat the snot out of me.”

Parri leaned in. “And it’s not because she’s attractive?”

Kai hesitated, his eyes flicking toward the bedroom door Shreya had disappeared into. “Um, no? It’s because we’re both human, and Stygiamites aren’t. That’s as simple as I can explain it.”

“What if she had been an android? Would you still have saved her?” she challenged, her eyes steady as if gauging his reaction.

His lip curled, a snarl of confusion crossing his features. “What kind of question is that?”

“An important one,” she insisted.

“I don’t see how.”

“Okay, okay, let’s say she was a clone instead,” she suggested, interlocking her fingers and resting her knuckles against her bottom lip. “Would you have gone out of your way to save her if she were a clone?”

“I highly doubt she is a clone,” he replied, shaking his head.

Dismissing his reluctance with a subtle head shake, she pressed, “Hypothetically speaking, say she was.”

“I dunno,” he shrugged. “Maybe. What are you getting at?”

Seeking his undivided attention, she dropped her hands to rest on his leg. “If you had to choose, would you save a human or a clone first?”

Mildly unsettled, his focus sharpened on her hands. “Is this a philosophical question?”

“I’m serious,” she insisted, giving a playful backhand to his chest, causing his eyes to snap back to meet hers. “It’s crucial to know where you stand on these matters. The UCC has outlawed cloning technology and looks down upon clones. So, where do you draw the line when the next person, clone, robot, or animal comes crying for help?”

Withdrawing slightly from the encroaching sweetness of honeysuckle wafting through the air and the intensity of her wide, probing eyes, he replied, “Fine, as peculiar as your questions are, I would definitely save a human first. If something were to happen and you were in danger, I would rush to your aid before considering a clone, android, dog, cat, or even a pet hamster. Does that make you feel any better?”

“Not really,” she murmured, her gaze shifting to the side. A heartbeat later, her eyes snapped back to Kai. “What do you have against hamsters? Why are they so low on your list?”

With a singular huff, he clarified, “That wasn’t in any particular order. Besides, you’re not a hamster, so why are you complaining?”

“Are you sure about that?” she quipped jokingly, folding her bottom lip under her front teeth and imitating a squeaking sound.

His eyebrows shot up in mock surprise. “I knew there was something strange about you.”