RED KNIGHT
a STAR FRONTIERS Novel
by Layne K. Saltern
Not much in the gardens had changed since the time I first came here. The center pool rippled before my eyes. I watched each wrinkle glide across the surface of the water, distorting the reflection of the bushes around it. The air still smelled as sweet as before, just as cool, just as moist.
I don't remember how long I had been sitting there when Voar entered. His heavy footsteps brought me to full alert.
"Hello Voar." I knew it was he, so I didn't bother turning around.
"You okay?"
My voice was as sedated as the pool. "Yes. I just came here to think things out."
"I won't disturb you then."
"No," I said. "Stick around."
He stepped through the vegetation and sat down. "I'm sorry the others won't cooperate."
"That's not your fault, Voar. We're all under a lot of pressure. I can't blame them."
"It appears you've been under a lot of pressure, yourself."
"Why do you say that?"
"You're different now. Your voice has softened, and there's always some distant, unfocused look in your eyes."
"Admiral Zhelk trusted me to protect him in your absence," I explained. "I wasn't even around when he needed me."
"That's in the past now. Sometimes things happen and you can't change them. What matters is the future."
"That may be so, but I can't stop thinking about it. I'm indebted to justice now. And I'm prepared to pay with more own life to set things straight."
"You're worth more to this universe alive than dead, my friend. As long as you're alive, you can still change. You can still help."
I said nothing.
"So, where do we start?"
"Huh?" I said.
"Where do we start looking for the Red Knight?"
"Oh." I considered the question. "We'll need to backtrack. Everywhere he's attacked. There must be evidence we've missed. We can start where Admiral Zhelk was shot."
"Should I get your walker?"
"I haven't needed it for a while. I should be all right."
In fact, when we arose to begin hunting the Red Knight, I realized how long it had been since I had really felt this good!