Page 52 of Klaz
“Sounds fancy,” I quipped, doing my damndest to ignore the burning pain in my shoulder. “Does it come with room service?”
Arkon, the giant Vinduthi, stepped forward. “I’ll handle things here,” he said, his deep voice rumbling through the air. “We’ll secure Mama Raza and her crew, deal with the local authorities.”
Klaz nodded, relief evident in his expression. “Thank you, old friend. I owe you one.”
Arkon waved him off. “Consider us even for that time on Xeros Prime.” He turned to survey the scene, already barking orders to the others.
I gasped as Klaz swept me up into his arms. Each step sent waves of pain through my body, and my vision blurred at the edges. The ship loomed before us, sleek and predatory. Its hull gleamed a deep, matte black that seemed to absorb the light around it. Angular wings swept back from its body, giving it the appearance of a bird of prey ready to strike.
“Impressive,” I murmured.
Klaz’s arm tightened around my waist. “Wait until you see the inside.”
As we approached, a ramp extended smoothly from the ship’s underbelly. Tharion met us at the base, his expression grim as he took in my condition. “Med bay’s prepped,” he said, then moved ahead to lead the way.
The interior startled me – all smooth lines and soft, ambient lighting. We passed through corridors lined with gleaming panels and pulsing displays.
Behind us, I heard snatches of conversation between Davor and Kaelith.
“...need to contact the Base...”
“...what about the missing shipment?”
“...but is Klaz back now?...”
The med bay doors slid open to reveal a room that looked more advanced than any hospital I’d ever seen. Sleek medical equipment lined the walls, and a central biobed dominated the room.
Kaelith stepped forward, his movements precise and clinical. “Let’s have a look at that wound.”
Klaz lowered me onto the bed, his hand lingering on my back. “I’m staying,” he said, his tone brooking no argument.
Kaelith merely nodded, already focused on examining my shoulder. “Laser burn, second degree. Nothing too serious.”
What kind of people were this relaxed about laser burns?
I glanced at Klaz. Oh. These sorts of people.
Kaelith worked efficiently, cleaning the burn and applying a series of treatments that stung and soothed in equal measure. Throughout it all, Klaz remained a steady presence at my side, his thumb tracing mindless patterns on the back of my hand.
I tried to maintain a brave face, but I couldn’t quite hide the occasional flinch or sharp intake of breath. Each time, Klaz’s jaw would clench, his free hand curling into a fist at his side.
As Kaelith applied the final layer of synthskin, he stepped back. “That should do it. The burn will heal completely in a few hours.” He glanced between Klaz and me, a knowing look in his eyes. “I’ll leave you two alone.”
The door slid shut behind him, leaving Klaz and me in a silence thick with unspoken words.
“Let’s get out of here,” he finally said, then scooped me back into his arms.
The ship hummed around us, the soft vibrations of the engines a constant presence. Klaz’s footsteps were nearly silent on the polished floor, grace evident even in this simple act. I breathed in his scent - a mix of ozone and something uniquely him- as my head rested against his chest.
Klaz stopped in front of a door that slid open with a soft hiss. The cabin beyond was small but well-appointed, with a narrow bunk set into one wall and a small viewport offering a view of the planet’s swirling atmosphere.
He set me down on the bunk with exquisite care, his hands lingering a moment longer than necessary. The loss of contact left me feeling strangely bereft.
Klaz took a step back, his expression unreadable. “I’ll speak with Davor. He’ll take you wherever you want to go.”
I blinked, caught off guard by the abrupt statement. “What?”
“The bounty for Mama Raza and her gang - I’ll make sure it goes to you. And you’ll get a share of what the pirates brought in. You won’t need to run any more cons. You won’t need to worry about anything.”