The Starborn

Chapter 11

Quinn’s armor locked into place piece by piece, each section clicking and hissing as it secured around him. Once fully suited, he slipped his helmet back on, its soft hum and internal HUD activating instantly.

He stepped out of the small crew quarters into the shuttle’s main cabin and paused. Nova was sprawled on the bench, lying on her stomach, her breathing steady as she slept. The dim lighting cast a soft glow on her, highlighting the curve of her back and the delicate lines of her form.

Quinn’s gaze lingered for a moment longer than he intended.

“Quinn,” VERA’s voice cut through his thoughts, cool but insistent. “We’re coming up on Elaris. Miranda has responded with her coordinates. She’ll be waiting for us when we land.”

Quinn blinked, shaking himself free from the moment. “Understood,” he muttered, his voice gruff through the modulator in his helmet.

He glanced at Nova one last time, watching the subtle rise and fall of her shoulders as she slept. Then, with a purposeful stride, he turned and headed to the cockpit.

The viewport showed Elaris coming into view—a lush, emerald-green planet with rings of vibrant violet surrounding it. The sight was breathtaking, even for someone like Quinn, who had seen dozens of worlds. The dense jungles and sparkling azure seas of Elaris stretched out below as the shuttle broke through the planet’s outer atmosphere.

VERA chimed again. “Adjusting descent trajectory. Miranda’s coordinates are locked in, five klicks west of the main settlement.”

“Good,” Quinn replied, his hands steady on the controls as he guided the shuttle through the atmosphere. The ship vibrated slightly as it cut through thick layers of clouds, revealing a sprawling, untamed wilderness below. Towering trees with golden leaves shimmered in the sunlight, their roots tangled around crystalline rivers.

“Reminder,” VERA added. “Miranda specifically requested discretion. This is an unregistered landing zone.”

Quinn smirked faintly. “Discretion’s my specialty.”

As he prepared for landing, his mind flickered back to Miranda—a scientist who had once been part of Aegis but defected after witnessing their atrocities. If anyone could help them, it was her.

With the shuttle aligned and the landing thrusters engaged, Quinn set them down in a small clearing surrounded by towering flora. The ship touched the ground with a soft hiss, the engines powering down.

VERA’s tone softened. “We’ve arrived.”

Quinn exhaled deeply, his grip easing off the controls. He stood, casting one last glance at the tranquil scenery outside before turning back to wake Nova.

Quinn moved back into the main cabin, his boots softly clanging against the shuttle’s metallic floor. Nova hadn’t stirred, still resting on the bench with her hair splayed out around her face. She looked oddly peaceful, a stark contrast to the chaos and danger they’d been through in the last few hours.

He stood over her for a moment, hesitating.

“Quinn,” VERA whispered in his helmet. “You might want to wake her gently. She’s been through a lot.”

Quinn crouched slightly, lowering his voice. “Nova,” he called, his tone softer than usual.

She stirred slightly but didn’t wake.

Quinn sighed and reached out, lightly tapping her shoulder. “Nova, we’ve landed.”

Her eyes fluttered open, groggy at first, but then quickly sharpening as she remembered where she was. She sat up abruptly, brushing her hair back. “Are we safe?”

“For now,” Quinn replied, straightening to his full height. “We’re on Elaris. Someone I trust is meeting us here.”

Nova blinked, glancing out the small viewport, taking in the vibrant colors of the planet. “Elaris?” Her voice softened with wonder. “I’ve heard stories… I didn’t think it would be this beautiful.”

Quinn’s helmet tilted slightly as he looked at her. “It’s one of the last places untouched by Aegis or the Ravagers. But it won’t stay that way forever.”

She frowned at his words but didn’t reply. Instead, she swung her legs over the edge of the bench and stood. “So, who’s this person we’re meeting? Can we trust them?”

“She’s an ex-Aegis scientist,” Quinn explained as he moved to the hatch. “Her name’s Miranda. If anyone can help us figure out what to do next, it’s her.”

Nova narrowed her eyes. “Ex-Aegis? You’re sure she won’t turn us in?”

Quinn’s jaw tightened. “She’s been running from them for a long time. She has no love for Aegis.”

Nova seemed to weigh his words for a moment, then nodded.

Quinn hit the release on the hatch, and the ramp extended with a hydraulic hiss. Warm, fragrant air rushed into the shuttle, carrying the earthy scent of flora mixed with the faint sweetness of the planet’s unique blossoms.

As they stepped out, the dense jungle came alive with sound—bird-like creatures chirped from the treetops, and shimmering insects buzzed lazily through the air. A faint, glowing mist lingered at the forest floor, adding to the surreal beauty of the scene.

Nova’s eyes widened as she took it all in. “It’s… incredible,” she murmured, almost to herself.

Quinn scanned the area, his visor highlighting movement in the distance. He raised a hand, signaling for her to stay close.

From the shadows of the trees emerged a figure—a woman clad in a mix of rugged, practical clothing and high-tech gear. Her dark hair was tied back, streaked with strands of silver, and her sharp brown eyes fixed on them as she approached.

“Alpha-01,” she greeted, her voice calm but wary. “It’s been a long time.”

“Miranda,” Quinn replied with a slight nod. “Thanks for meeting us.”

Her gaze shifted to Nova, assessing her carefully. “So, this is the girl you went AWOL for?”

Nova bristled slightly, her eyes narrowing. “I have a name.”

Miranda smirked faintly. “Good. You’re going to need that spirit.” She looked back at Quinn. “Let’s get inside. We don’t have much time before someone notices your landing.”

Quinn motioned for Nova to follow as Miranda led them into the dense jungle. Nova stayed close to his side, her earlier wonder replaced by a sense of cautious tension.

As they walked, Nova leaned toward Quinn and whispered, “She seems… intense.”

“She’s on our side,” Quinn assured her, his tone steady. “That’s all that matters right now.”

Still, he couldn’t shake the weight of uncertainty pressing on his shoulders. Miranda was trustworthy, but what lay ahead? That was anyone’s guess.

The trek through the jungle led them to a clearing where Miranda’s home stood—a concrete dome structure nestled among towering trees, its surface weathered but sturdy. Vines had crept over the curved walls, blending the structure into its natural surroundings. Solar panels lined the top, and the faint hum of an energy generator could be heard from somewhere below.

“This is it,” Miranda announced, punching a code into a hidden panel on the wall. The door slid open with a soft hiss, revealing the interior—a surprisingly spacious and modern layout. Equipment lined the walls: monitors displaying streams of data, holographic projections hovering over workstations, and shelves filled with vials, tools, and mechanical components. The air smelled faintly of metal and herbs.

“Make yourselves comfortable,” Miranda said, gesturing toward a small seating area near the center of the room.

Quinn removed his helmet with a hiss, placing it on a nearby counter as he scanned the room. Nova hesitated before stepping inside, her eyes darting around at the mix of high-tech equipment and homely touches—a mug left on a console, a blanket draped over a chair.

Miranda leaned against a workstation, crossing her arms. Her piercing gaze landed on Quinn. “So, tell me, Alpha-01, why are you here? And why are you defying Aegis orders? Last I checked, you don’t have much of a choice in the matter.”

Quinn straightened, his expression unreadable. “Because something about this isn’t right. The Ravagers are after her,”—he gestured toward Nova—“and Aegis ordered her execution instead of asking why. They claim it’s to prevent her from falling into the wrong hands, but they didn’t even try to understand the threat. They just gave the order.”

Miranda raised an eyebrow, glancing at Nova. “And why are the Ravagers after her? What’s so special about her?”

Nova shifted uncomfortably, her arms crossing over her chest. Quinn spoke before she could answer. “She can see the past, present, and future.”

At that, Miranda’s composed demeanor cracked. Her eyes widened slightly, and her lips parted as if she were about to say something but thought better of it. She recovered quickly, but the intrigue in her expression remained.

“You’re serious?” she asked, her voice quieter, almost disbelieving.

Quinn nodded. “I saw it myself. I made physical contact with her, and… I don’t know if it triggered something or if it was her doing, but I saw visions. Memories, hers and mine. I also felt emotions I haven’t been able to feel in years.”

Miranda pushed off the workstation, pacing slightly. “If what you’re saying is true, that changes everything. No wonder Aegis wants her dead—they can’t control her, and they’re afraid of what she might reveal or predict.” She stopped, turning to Nova. “How long have you had these abilities?”

Nova hesitated, glancing at Quinn before answering. “As long as I can remember. But I can’t control them. They just… happen, usually when I touch someone or something. That’s why I wear these.” She held up her gloved hands.

Miranda studied her for a moment, her sharp eyes calculating. “The Oracles,” she murmured, almost to herself.

Nova’s head snapped up. “You know about my people?”

Miranda nodded slowly. “Not much. Most records of the Oracles were erased by Aegis years ago. But I know they were rare. Powerful. Dangerous, in the eyes of Aegis.”

Quinn stepped forward. “Then you understand why I couldn’t follow their orders. Killing her isn’t the solution. She’s not the threat—they are.”

Miranda’s expression softened slightly as she looked at him. “I never thought I’d see the day an Astral Berserker defied their programming. You’re different, Alpha-01.”

“I’m still figuring out why,” Quinn admitted.

Miranda sighed, rubbing her temples. “Alright. You did the right thing coming to me, but this is a dangerous game you’re playing, Quinn. If Aegis finds out you’re here, they’ll come after all of us.”

“They won’t find us,” Quinn said firmly. “I disabled the tracking beacon on the shuttle and cut off all communication with Aegis.”

Miranda gave a small, impressed nod. “Smart. But if we’re going to keep her safe, we’ll need a plan. And more information about why the Ravagers want her so badly.”

Nova’s voice was quiet but firm. “If they’re coming after me because of what I can do, then maybe it’s time I learn how to control it.”

Miranda and Quinn exchanged a look.

“I can help with that,” Miranda said at last. “But it won’t be easy. And it won’t be safe.”

Quinn nodded, his voice steady. “Then we’ll figure this out. Together.”

Miranda looked between them, a faint smirk tugging at her lips. “Well, I hope you’re ready for what’s coming. Because once we start down this path, there’s no turning back.”