Star's Storm(22)

“Madas has the star ship secured at the end. She said not to let the looks of it deceive us. It is much better than its exterior appearance,” Dakar said skeptically.

“Where are we?” Star asked as she watched a man in a huge machine that looked like the robot from the movie the Iron Giant bend over and pick up a container about the size of a large SUV as if it was a toy and walk away with it.

“Loading Dock Port II. This port is primarily used for off-world imports and exports to the mining colonies on the moons and to the Spaceports along the edges of the Kassis star system,” Armet explained. “What docking pad is Madas at?”

“One thirty four A,” Dakar responded slowly down and parking next to a small metal building.

“You have got to be joking,” Armet said in dismay as he got his first look at the older class Tearnat star ship Madas had acquired for their mission.

“Isn’t it wonderful!” Star exclaimed excitedly. She leaned over the seat between the two warriors who were staring at the dilapidated star ship in front of them in horror.

Both men turned to look at Star in disbelief before looking back at the star ship. Armet let out a torrent of silent curses when his second look at the star ship didn’t look any better than the first. He hoped that they didn’t get killed just trying to get off the ground. He was going to have a long conversation with Madas Tal Mod about the difference between a star ship and a pile of worthless bolts. He pressed the button to release the door panel and slid out. He looked at Dakar who was slowly getting out of the transport on the other side. The look on the other warrior’s face confirmed that he felt the same way.

“I swore I would protect Lady Star with my life,” Armet gritted out. “How in the hell am I supposed to do that if I get us both killed without ever leaving the damn planet?”

Dakar studied the star ship in dismay. “Perhaps it will look better up close,” he murmured in a doubtful voice.

Star climbed out of the back of the transport, anxious to be on their way. She wanted to find Jazin and every second longer it took twisted at her heart to think of what he might be suffering. She reached for the small pack she had brought with her. Walking by Armet, she called out over her shoulder.

“Come on, what are you waiting for?” She asked impatiently as she strode toward where Madas had climbed down the loading ramp and was waiting for them with an amused expression on her face.

“A miracle?” Armet muttered before he grabbed his own bag out of the floor board of the front seat.

“I don’t think we could be so lucky,” Dakar muttered under his breath following his two companions.

*.*.*

Madas watched with amusement as the two Kassisan warriors approached. Both had looks of dismay and skepticism on their faces. She knew what they were thinking. It was exactly what she had expected they would. While the outside did not look very impressive, it was what was inside that counted. She wouldn’t tell them that this was the prototype vessel that Lord Jazin had been working on before he was ‘killed’. The morning after her dream, the man Lord Jazin had been working with contacted her. Jarmen D’ju introduced himself simply as a friend of Jazin. He spoke on condition that Madas did not mention his name to anyone. He stated it was better for him to remain anonymous. Jazin had made Jarmen promise if anything happened to him, Jarmen would contact Madas and ask that she help protect his little mate. He told Madas that Jazin had mentioned her and how she had saved the life of his tiny warrior. Jar listened as Madas told him of her dream before he shared his doubt that Jazin had been on board the fighter when it exploded. He sent her video from the surveillance equipment from the Uri Spaceport. The blurry images show an unconscious Jazin being hauled away while a Tearnat climbed into the fighter and took off. Madas recognized the Tearnat in question. He had been a personal guard to her son, Trolis. This information affirmed her belief that her dream was indeed a vision from the Gods. D’ju met with her on the outskirts of the Kassisan star system, just past the third planet ring. He knew she would know how to operate the star ship. All he needed to do was show her the modifications that had been done to it. Once he was satisfied Madas understood the operating system, he had disappeared saying he would do what he could to help rescue Jazin when the time came.

“Welcome, little warrior,” Madas called out in greeting. She looked at Armet who was coming up toward her with a deep scowl on his face. “I see you have brought company.”

Star looked over her shoulder with a frown. “He figured out what was going on somehow and was waiting in the transport for me. I swear his face is going to freeze like that if he doesn’t stop scowling at everything all the time.”