Serena stepped calmly, even though she felt confused and enraged by what the Empress had done.
A million questions flew about her head, not allowing her to stay collected. Was she being punished for arresting Elijah? Was it because she took in an Ilarian man that was supposed to be dead? Was the investigation leading to something the Empress didn’t want her to find out?
Walking up to MSS Lyssandra, she saw a royal engineer stepping up with a smile:
«Serena Dal Thara-Lyss, an honour to meet you.» the young man bowed. «Ilzer Garad, my lady.»
Serena stopped before him and nodded in a polite half-bow, greeting the man:
«Ilzer, a pleasure.»
«Allow me to deliver some new gear for your crew, my lady. By order of the Empress.»
Serena frowned:
«Gear?»
«Empress Alathea ordered to have your crew geared up with Special Forces jetpacks for the upcoming missions. She thought they will come in handy where you’re going.» Ilzer showed at the container behind him. «I was told to deliver them to your ship.»
«Uh… and how many of those have you got in there?» Serena nodded to the container.
«Enough for your whole crew, my lady. Even your new crew members.»
«Some of them don’t have Veluthian armour and won’t be able to use them.»
«Irrelevant, my lady. I was only told to issue you as many jetpacks as you have crew members.» Ilzer shrugged. «It is up to you if you wish to make them our armour. The Empress gave an order and I am only following it.»
Serena sighed and gestured to her ship:
«Very well, then…» she bowed slightly, welcoming him aboard. «You can leave the container in the cargo bay.»
«If there is anything else I can help you with, just let me know.»
They walked into the cargo bay and Ilzer ordered the anti-gravitational platform to unload the container next to the wall.
«I do need… something.» Serena felt strange, asking the royal technicians for anything, but since he was the one to offer her his services, she couldn’t pass this opportunity.
«I’ll be glad to help, my lady.» Ilzer sent off the platform and smiled to the Captain. «What is it you need?»
«Do you think you could spare us some hover bikes?» Serena watched his face flash a bit of surprize for a split second, and then he chuckled:
«But of course! How many do you need?»
«Eight will do.»
Ilzer nodded and tapped his wrist band, inputting something into it. A few moments passed and two rows of hover bikes – four in each row – slowly flew up and landed into the cargo bay, folding into parking position.
Serena couldn’t help but twitch her brow: these hover bikes weren’t the typical ones available for purchase all over Velutha.
«You’re giving me Dragons?» Serena asked, glancing at Ilzer.
«As per the Empress’ orders, I am to supply the best of our gear to you.» the man replied with a polite nod. «You must be a very important person if the Empress holds you in such high regard.»
Serena bit her tongue, not to say that she doesn’t think so. Ilzer stepped up closer with a very intrigued squint and asked quietly:
«Is it true that you are now working directly for the Empress as her tactical crew?»
Serena cleared her throat, collecting her thoughts:
«Yes, I guess, you could call us that.»
«And… with Terrans in your crew? How peculiar…»
«These Terrans are hand-picked and capable, Ilzer. Do not underestimate them or disrespect them.»
«I beg your forgiveness, my lady.» Ilzer bowed. «I meant no offence, I was only surprized a Veluthian captain would associate with Terrans. As you understand, we are… in a state of high alert towards Terra and its threat. Your investigation has made it impossible to think otherwise.»
«I understand. But these men ran from Terra for a reason. More than enough times they have proved their loyalty to me as their Captain and to the Laithorian Empire. So yes… I associate with Terrans. Even Terrans have honourable men.»
«Then not all is lost in our cause.» Ilzer bowed. «Safe travels, Lady Serena.»
«Thank you, Ilzer.»
«Until we meet again.» the man walked out of the cargo bay and Serena took a moment, looking at the new hover bikes she received so easily.
«Lyssa! Send Cipher an order to get to Veluthian orbit. And commence lift-off!» Serena ordered.
«Yes, Captain.» the AI closed the bay door and began the lift-off sequence.
Serena breathed out the tension gathered in her and stepped up to the hover bikes, admiring the sleek design. She knew that hover bikes like these were usually issued for the Empress’ private guard, and the fact that she and her crew received them was surprizing.
«Lindon? Hunter? Wolfin?» Serena called the men through the communication device in her ear. «I think you’d better come to the cargo bay. We have new toys you’d love to see.»
«Toys?» Wolfin’s voice came through. «I’m more worried about your visit to the Empress.»
«Let’s talk when we get to orbit and reconvene with Cipher and the others. Just get your asses here. I know Lindon will definitely be thrilled I got this.» Serena kneeled next to one of the Dragons and ran her fingers on the matte black spine of the steering panel.
