Within half an hour the crew of MSS Lyssandra was gathered and ready for the jump. And SS Growler was notified of the new development and sent the information – in case Cipher and his crew won’t be able to follow up on their own chase and search for Falana and her associates.
And though Lindon and Wolfin were eager to find Serena, Laneth was hesitant, understanding that their Captain might still be hurting from the loss they took from their last encounter with Falana.
The woman glanced at Kayla, who followed her even though the girl was still half-asleep. The child lay curled up on Laneth’s lap and fell back into slumber, but for some reason Laneth knew what the girl could say.
Over the time that passed, she heard it more than once – Kayla made it evident that she knew the reasons for Serena’s disappearance.
«When we arrive, Laneth…» Lindon caught the mechanic’s gaze. «I will need you to help Lyssa sift through the articles and reports on the fighting clubs in Demogen.»
Laneth nodded, accepting her role. If she could – she would help them in any way she could, however unsure she was of their wish to get Serena back.
Perhaps, she thought, it was better for Serena to grieve on her own. Perhaps, this way she didn’t need the sedatives she’s been using while she was still aboard the ship.
But she kept those thoughts to herself, realising that the Veluthian men probably won’t listen to her – just like they didn’t listen to Kayla, when she asked them to leave Serena be for some time.
Arriving in Daruthian orbit, Laneth kept thinking that Serena must have chosen this planet for a reason. This way she could easily send them word whenever she would be feeling better – after all, they did visit Velutha from time to time to see if there were any updates from the Empress’ men.
Laneth still felt a pinch of guilt, knowing they never told the Empress that Serena was nowhere near MSS Lyssandra for the past couple of months. Though, this wasn’t an issue – at least, not to Laneth’s knowledge.
Undergoing the usual check and passing it easily – this was thanks to the Imperial decree that allowed them to visit any planet within the Laithorian Empire without any sophisticated checks or usual questions about their business – they descended to Demogen city and rented a parking plot in the nearest space port. With the Decree and available funds they could stay there as long as they liked – most of the rental price was always covered due to them being in direct employ of the Empress.
Laneth glanced at the Veluthians and for a moment thought if she could persuade them to wait and, perhaps, allow her to talk to Serena instead. Seeing how tense the men were, she decided to keep quiet – the two were obviously in no mood to discuss the matter further.
With a sigh, the woman caressed Kayla’s hair, watching her sleeping, and thinking about how drastic their life became with the job they found themselves on. If it weren’t for Falana and her crazy experiments – Hunter would have still been alive. And Serena could still be happy.
«Laneth!» Lindon’s voice made her flinch and Kayla grumbled through her sleep.
«Yes?» the woman raised her eyes to the man.
She saw him looking straight at her with a frown:
«Start sifting through the media to find traces of Serena. We need to know which club she’s fighting in.»
«Yes, sir.»
«Stay on comms and let us know when Cipher will get here.» Lindon slapped Wolfin’s shoulder and the men headed out.
Laneth nodded, knowing they were going to try and ask around the city in search for Serena – just to stay busy, so that their worry won’t become an issue if they’d be staying on board of the ship.
Chapter 5. Stalkers
«Do you see her?» Wolfin’s voice sounded in Lindon’s earpiece.
«She turned by Link’s Market, heading west.» the Veluthian walked far back, but trying to keep himself inconspicuous.
As he turned, he saw Serena purchasing something at one of the vendors, and continuing her path – her steps slow, as if she didn’t care at all if anyone was watching or possibly following her.
Lindon felt horrible seeing the woman slouched, and her head down. It was as if she didn’t even want to look up from the street. Still, he wanted to approach her, but allowed Wolfin to persuade him to fall back and watch her for a bit before doing that.
For two days they watched her, learning that she was fighting at the club and then simply returning to her home. And by the things she’s been buying every evening, Lindon could make the assumption that she either ate very little, or not at all. This made his heart ache for the woman even more.
On the third day, after watching her fight a bulky opponent in the cage, they finally decided to approach the woman. They split up just in case – Wolfin heading towards her apartment building ahead, while Lindon stayed back, waiting to follow her home.
He saw her usual slow walk back, her short stop at one of the grocery stores and her purchase – a couple of bottles of alcohol and something that resembled a pack of dried fruits.
Walking behind her Lindon thought if she was feeling any better in the life she found on Daruta. Deep inside he hoped she would be happy to see them. But he also feared that she would push them away.
Seeing Serena disappearing on the stairs that lead up, Lindon saw Wolfin glancing out from behind a corner and hurried to him.
«Fifth floor. Apartment 537.» the man reminded him.
«Did you see anyone else there?» Lindon looked up.
«No. So… do we approach now? Or do you want to wait a little more?»
Lindon pressed his lips together and gestured to him to follow, heading up the stairs. They ascended the stairs to the fifth floor and walked up to the door, marked 537, but for a few moments Lindon seemed to be hesitant if he should press the button that hailed the resident inside. Wolfin, however, sighed and pressed it, seeing the man deep in his thoughts.
It took a few long moments before the door slid open and they saw the woman. Her face was covered in bruises from the fight she had, she was dressed only in a tank top and panties and obviously drunk. Leaning over the wall next to the door, she grimaced, seeing them at her door. Taking a swig from a bottle in her hand, she turned without a word and went back inside, leaving the door open. Lindon shook off his shock first, stepping into the small, almost cramped apartment that was littered with empty alcohol bottles. The helper-bot that was supposed to be keeping the apartment clean lay in the corner – smashed to pieces.
Wolfin stepped in a moment later, pressing the door to close, and stood a bit at the entrance, feeling his heart aching for his named daughter.
Serena plopped down onto the couch and took a cigarette, lighting it. She didn’t look at the men, but her face – which was now as expressionless, as when they parted – was aimed at the only piece of evidence that the woman before them was really Serena.
She was looking at a photographic frame, where she and her crew were standing happy – with her kissing Hunter.
«Serena…» Lindon approached her and kneeled down next to the woman.
She shook her head:
«That’s not my name anymore.» she said quietly. «I’m Ghost.»
«Please don’t say that…»
«Why not, huh?» she suddenly grimaced in anger. «Why the fuck not? Why can’t I grieve in the way I can at least cope with the loss? I know