The Starborn

Chapter 14

Nova blinked awake, her gaze landing on Quinn, who stood silently near the door. The faint hum of the dome’s systems filled the air as Miranda approached, her expression a mix of curiosity and determination.

“I need to see for myself,” Miranda said softly, her eyes locking onto Nova. “The visions. If what Quinn says is true, I need to understand.”

Nova hesitated, her fingers twitching toward her gloved hand. She looked to Quinn, her uncertainty clear in her eyes. He gave her a small nod, his stoic demeanor softening slightly.

“It’s okay,” he said. “You’re safe here.”

Taking a deep breath, Nova slowly pulled off her glove, the cool air brushing against her bare skin. She stepped closer to Miranda, who extended her hand, palm up, steady despite the gravity of the moment.

“Are you sure?” Nova asked softly, her voice trembling just slightly.

Miranda nodded. “I need to see.”

Nova exhaled and placed her hand on Miranda’s. The connection was immediate.

The world around them shifted, colors blending and reforming into a scene from the past.

A battlefield, strewn with blood and bodies. Smoke filled the air, and the distant cries of survivors echoed in the chaos. A younger Miranda appeared, kneeling on the ground. Her face was pale, streaked with soot and tears. In her arms, she cradled a small boy no older than six.

The boy was limp, his body battered and bloodied, unconscious but alive. His hair was dark, matted with dirt and gore, and his face was eerily serene despite the destruction around him.

“Quinn,” Miranda’s voice cracked, her arms tightening around the child.

Around her, the aftermath of an attack played out. Soldiers moved through the wreckage, securing the area, but Miranda remained focused on the boy. He was one of the few survivors, pulled from the wreckage of what had once been a small colony.

The vision blurred and shifted forward.

Quinn was older now, perhaps thirteen, his body strapped to a medical table. His face was stoic, but his eyes burned with defiance. Miranda stood nearby, monitoring his vitals.

“He’s different,” Miranda said, her voice filled with both awe and concern. “He keeps burning through the nerve blockers. None of the others are showing this level of resistance.”

Dr. Morven’s voice replied, cold and detached. “Then we increase the dosage. If he’s burning through them, it means his body is adapting. That makes him a perfect candidate.”

Miranda’s jaw tightened, but she said nothing. Her eyes lingered on Quinn, her expression filled with a mix of guilt and protectiveness.

The scene shifted again.

Quinn was fifteen now, standing at attention in his early Astral Berserker armor. Miranda stood in front of him, her posture rigid but her eyes betraying her emotions.

“This is goodbye,” she said quietly, her voice tinged with sadness.

Quinn didn’t respond, his face unreadable, his eyes locked forward.

“You’ve come so far,” Miranda continued, her voice softening. “But… you’re still just a boy to me, Quinn. I—” She stopped herself, her voice breaking.

Quinn finally looked at her, his expression softening just enough to show a glimmer of the boy she’d saved. “Thank you,” he said simply.

The vision dissolved, the swirling colors pulling them back into the present.

Miranda pulled her hand away, her face pale and her breathing unsteady. She took a step back, her fingers trembling as she stared at Nova and then at Quinn.

Nova looked between them, her gloved hand now resting at her side. “He wasn’t just another experiment to you,” she said softly.

Miranda nodded, a faint, bittersweet smile tugging at her lips. “No, he wasn’t. And now… I understand why you feel connected to her, Quinn.”

Quinn frowned. “What do you mean?”

Miranda hesitated, glancing at Nova. “You and her… whatever this connection is, it’s not random. It’s like fate keeps pulling you toward each other. And if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that the universe doesn’t make mistakes.”

Quinn’s jaw tightened, his mind racing with questions he couldn’t yet answer. But one thing was clear—this connection, this bond, wasn’t something he could ignore.

Before Miranda could say more, a piercing alarm blared through the dome, red lights flashing in the corners of the room. Miranda’s head whipped toward the monitors on the far wall. She rushed over, her fingers flying across the controls as a live feed popped up. The sight of Aegis dropships descending through the forest canopy made her curse under her breath.

“s**t!” she hissed. “They’ve found your location somehow. We don’t have much time.”

Quinn was already moving, securing his armor with practiced speed. He glanced at Nova, who stood frozen in place, wide-eyed.

“Nova, get your things,” Quinn ordered, his tone firm but calm.

Miranda spun around, her expression tense but resolute. “I have a small emergency ship. It’s undetectable and fast—designed for situations like this. You’ll need to take it and leave immediately.”

She grabbed Quinn’s arm, her grip surprisingly strong. “Listen to me. Take her to Togon Bay, in the Helix galaxy. It’s not an easy place—it’s dangerous, chaotic—but it’s the only place Aegis won’t follow you.”

Quinn frowned. “Togon Bay? Why there?”

Miranda’s gaze flicked to Nova, then back to him. “Because it’s far enough from their jurisdiction, and I know someone there who can help you. Her name is Lucy Wok. She’s an old friend and has connections you’ll need. If anyone can help keep Nova safe, it’s her.”

Nova stepped forward, her voice tinged with urgency. “What about you? They’ll know you helped us. Won’t they come after you?”

Miranda gave a small, bittersweet smile. “They’ve been coming after me for years. I’ll handle it. This is about you two now.” She looked back at Quinn. “Promise me you’ll protect her. No matter what.”

Quinn’s jaw tightened as he gave her a solemn nod. “You have my word.”

Miranda motioned toward a hatch leading to the back of the dome. “The ship is prepped and ready to launch. Go, now!”

The pounding of distant footsteps echoed through the forest. Aegis troops were closing in. Quinn took Nova’s arm and led her toward the hatch, his movements quick but deliberate.

“Stay close to me,” he said, his voice steady.

As they descended into the hidden hangar, Miranda’s voice followed them. “Quinn! One last thing!”

He turned back, his helmet under his arm.

“Whatever you do, don’t trust anyone except Lucy,” Miranda said firmly. “And keep her hidden. You know what’s at stake.”

Quinn gave her a final look, one of silent gratitude, before the hatch closed behind them.

The hidden hangar was dimly lit, the hum of the emergency ship’s engines already vibrating through the floor. It was small, sleek, and compact, clearly designed for stealth rather than comfort. Quinn guided Nova toward the open ramp, his hand firm on her shoulder as the faint sound of footsteps above grew louder.

Nova glanced back toward the sealed hatch, her expression troubled. “We can’t just leave her. Aegis will—”

Quinn cut her off, his voice low but commanding. “She can handle herself. Miranda’s bought us time, and we can’t waste it.”

Nova hesitated but eventually nodded, stepping into the ship as Quinn followed. The ramp hissed shut behind them, sealing them inside.

“VERA,” Quinn said as he slid into the pilot’s chair. “Run a systems check. Make sure we’re clear to launch.”

VERA’s voice responded crisply. “Engines are stable, stealth mode is engaged. No detectable signals leaving the ship. We’re ready, Quinn.”

Quinn began powering up the controls, his movements precise. “Coordinates for Togon Bay?”

“Uploading now,” VERA replied. “It’s a rough trajectory. Helix galaxy is a minefield of anomalies and debris. You’ll need to stay sharp.”

Nova strapped herself into the co-pilot’s seat, her hands gripping the armrests. “What exactly is Togon Bay? Miranda said it’s dangerous, but she didn’t say why.”

Quinn’s jaw clenched as he adjusted the controls. “It’s a black-market hub. Neutral territory, no allegiance to Aegis or anyone else. Smugglers, mercenaries, bounty hunters—it’s a haven for people who don’t want to be found.”

Nova frowned. “Doesn’t that make it more dangerous for us?”

“Maybe,” Quinn admitted, glancing at her. “But it’s the only place where Aegis won’t risk sending a full force after us. They’ll be outnumbered, even with their resources.”

The ship shuddered as it began to lift off, the vibrations growing stronger. Nova glanced nervously out the viewport as the hangar walls blurred past them.

“Quinn,” VERA said, her tone sharp. “I’m detecting incoming hostiles. Two dropships and a squadron of drones closing fast.”

Quinn’s hands flew over the controls. “Switch to manual override. We’re punching through.”

The ship shot out of the hangar like a bullet, the trees of the forest blurring into streaks of green and brown. Behind them, the faint glow of Aegis dropships grew brighter, their engines roaring as they gave chase.

“Hang on!” Quinn barked, yanking the controls to the side as the ship narrowly avoided a burst of laser fire.

Nova gripped the armrests tighter, her breathing quickening. “This is insane!”

Quinn’s voice was calm, almost eerily so. “This is survival.”

The ship banked hard, weaving between the towering trees as Quinn pushed it to its limits. The controls vibrated under his grip, but he kept his focus razor-sharp.

“VERA, what’s our best route out of here?”

“Heading 245,” VERA replied. “There’s a narrow canyon up ahead. It’s risky, but you can lose them if you’re fast enough.”

Quinn smirked. “Risky is my specialty.”

The ship plunged into the canyon, the walls of rock and vegetation flashing past in a blur. The dropships followed, their weapons lighting up the narrow space with bursts of red and orange.

Nova winced as a shot grazed the hull, the impact rattling the cabin. “They’re getting closer!”

“Not for long,” Quinn muttered. He pulled the ship into a tight spiral, narrowly dodging another volley of fire.

The canyon walls opened up into a clearing, and Quinn seized the opportunity. “Activating stealth mode. Hold your breath.”

With the flip of a switch, the ship vanished from view, its engines silencing to a low hum. The dropships roared past, their sensors scrambling to reacquire the target.

After a tense moment, the radar screen cleared.

“We’re in the clear,” VERA said.

Quinn exhaled, his grip on the controls relaxing slightly. He glanced over at Nova, who was still clutching the armrests, her face pale.

“You okay?” he asked.

She let out a shaky laugh. “I don’t know how you do this every day.”

Quinn allowed himself a small smile as he eased the ship into a steady trajectory. “You get used to it.”

As they ascended into the atmosphere, Nova glanced out at the stars, her expression softening. “Do you think Miranda will be okay?”

Quinn didn’t answer immediately. His gaze remained fixed ahead, his jaw tightening. “She’s strong. She’ll survive.”

But deep down, he wasn’t sure he believed it.