19. Maar

CHAPTER 19

MAAR

" I will go with you then," Alyssa says. "I have no other choice."

I breathe a sigh of relief as Alyssa agrees to come with me. We make our way through the bustling spaceport, my eyes constantly scanning for potential threats.

"Keep close," I murmur, guiding her with a gentle hand on her lower back.

At the ticket kiosk, I purchase passes for six different destinations. Alyssa raises an eyebrow but stays silent until we're safely aboard the star liner.

Once we're settled in our cabin, she turns to me. "Okay, what's with the travel agency act back there?"

I can't help but smirk at her quip. "Throwing off the scent. Makes it harder for them to track us."

"Them?" Alyssa's voice drops to a whisper. "Who exactly is after us, Maar?"

The name sounds strange coming from her lips. I've gotten used to 'Raaj'. "The Numerian Fist," I reply, watching her face carefully.

Her brow furrows. "Never heard of them."

"Count yourself lucky," I say, leaning back in my seat. "They're not the kind of people you want knowing your name."

I lean forward, my elbows resting on my knees. Alyssa's eyes are fixed on me, hungry for information. I take a deep breath, knowing I owe her the truth.

"The Numerian Fist started as a small-time gang on Gur," I begin. "Just a bunch of thugs shaking down local businesses. But they had ambition."

Alyssa nods, her brow furrowed. "And let me guess, they grew?"

"Like a virus," I confirm. "They infiltrated the police, bought off politicians. Before anyone realized, they had their fingers in everything from spice trade to weapons smuggling."

"And you?" Alyssa asks, her voice barely above a whisper. "How'd you get mixed up with them?"

I can't help but let out a bitter laugh. "Same old story. Poor kid, dead-end job, looking for a way out." I pause, memories flooding back. "They approached me after I won a street fight. Said they liked my 'style'."

"Just like that?" Alyssa's skepticism is evident.

I shake my head. "No, not just like that. They tested me. Made me prove my loyalty." I swallow hard, not wanting to go into details. "By the time I realized what I'd gotten into, it was too late to back out."

Alyssa's hand reaches out, hesitates, then settles on my arm. "And now?"

I meet her eyes, seeing a mix of fear and something else. Understanding, maybe? "Now, I'm trying to get out. But the Fist doesn't let go easily."

"That's why we're running," she concludes.

I nod, feeling the weight of our situation. "That, and to keep you safe. Once they realize I've betrayed them..."

I don't finish the sentence. I don't have to. The gravity of our situation hangs in the air between us, as palpable as the hum of the star liner's engines.

Alyssa's eyes narrow. "And why do they want me dead?"

I hesitate, weighing my words. "It's... complicated. And it involves your father."

"The Admiral?" She leans forward, her voice sharp. "What's he got to do with this?"

I take a deep breath. "Two years ago, your father made a deal. He hired Numerian Fist assassins to target Coalition forward operatives on Sepa and Entares."

Alyssa's face pales. "That's... that's not possible. My father would never?—"

"War makes people do desperate things," I interrupt gently. "But that's not the whole story. An Alliance attack wiped out several Fist ships during the operation. No one knew about the deal, so..."

"So they think my father set them up," Alyssa finishes, her voice barely above a whisper.

I nod. "They're out for blood. Your father's, specifically. But they'll settle for yours if they can't get to him."

Alyssa slumps back in her seat, processing. "And you? Where do you fit into all this?"

I meet her gaze steadily. "I was sent to kill you. But I couldn't do it. I won't let them hurt you, Alyssa. I swear it."

We board the star liner, our steps echoing through the sleek, metallic corridor. The other passengers, a mix of humans and aliens, pay us little attention as we find our seats. I gesture for Alyssa to take the window spot, positioning myself between her and the aisle.

As we settle in, the ship's engines hum to life, a deep vibration coursing through the floor. Alyssa's gaze is fixed on the viewport, her fingers drumming an anxious rhythm on the armrest.

"First time off-world?" I ask, trying to lighten the mood.

She shakes her head, a wry smile playing at her lips. "Hardly. But it's my first time running for my life."

The ship lurches gently as it lifts off, the Martian landscape falling away beneath us. Alyssa's eyes widen as we break through the thin atmosphere, the red planet shrinking rapidly.

"It looks so... small," she murmurs, her breath fogging the viewport.

I nod, remembering my own first time leaving a planet behind. "It always does. Makes you feel insignificant, doesn't it?"

She turns to me, her eyes searching mine. "I hope I'll be safe with you, Maar."

The use of my real name still catches me off guard. I lean in, keeping my voice low. "You can trust me, Alyssa. I swear it."

She lets out a bitter laugh, shaking her head. "Can I? I can't trust anyone anymore. Not even myself."

Her words sting, but I can't blame her. I reach out, hesitating before placing my hand over hers. "I know I've given you every reason not to trust me. But I'm not lying now. I'll protect you with my life."

Alyssa doesn't pull away, but her gaze returns to the viewport. Mars is now just a red speck among the stars. "That's what the real Raaj said, you know. Right before he died protecting me."

I swallow hard, guilt twisting in my gut. "I'm not him. I can't be. But I can try to honor his sacrifice by keeping you safe."

She turns back to me, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "Why? Why risk everything for me?"

I take a deep breath, searching for the right words. "Because... because you make me want to be better than I am. Than I've been."

Alyssa studies me for a long moment, her expression unreadable. Finally, she nods, squeezing my hand. "I guess we'll see if that's enough."