RED KNIGHT
a STAR FRONTIERS Novel
by Layne K. Saltern
Thibaut glared at me, then turned back to his table where Krenny was keeping him company. Krenny was wearing a few light bandages.
At another table Tulk'n and Katrina were eating and talking. I noticed with sickening detail how closely they were seated together.
I avoided both groups and ate alone.
I would have gone back out altogether, but it looked like Katrina was getting up to leave.
"Don't forget what you promised," she said.
Tulk'n nodded and watched her step out the dining area door. Then he stood up and walked in my direction.
I glared at the hand he slapped onto my shoulder. I couldn't taste my food.
"Look at Thibaut and Krenny over there," he whispered. "It's almost like they've got a secret club or something." He sat down. I refused to look at him. His whisper dropped a few decibels. "Just between you and me, I think they're up to something." He pounded his fist on the table in mocking fashion and said, "Our secret meeting will now come to order."
I wasn't amused.
"That's a nice pullover," he continued. "Got tired of the uniform, huh?"
"What's wrong with it?" I barked.
He pulled back. "Hey, I'm just trying to have a friendly conversation. You're not too talkative tonight."
"I've got a lot on my mind," I said, still avoiding him with my eyes.
"Yeah, I know what you mean. This whole crisis has me worried to."
"Does it?" I demanded, finally turning to look at him. "Or are you more concerned about chasing after Katrina?"
"What are you talking about? If I hadn't come over, you and she would both be dead right now!"
"My congratulations," I muttered as I turned back away.
"You don't seem to get it, do you? There's someone out there trying to exterminate us. For all we know, I could be his next target."
He pushed away the table and left without another word.
My eyes burned as they followed his exit, and my mind repeated the same unspoken truth:
I hope you are.