Transmigrant - Chapter 30
Copyright © 2024 Stephen B. Anthony
A true master does not rely on his own hands alone but ensures his will endures beyond his death.
—Katsu Niruku, Anatomy of Power
CHAPTER 30
Ray and Estia left the Shinobi behind and walked together to the pod cargo bay. Estia carried an electrified truncheon. Ray carried Ichiro’s katana. Without a battery replacement, the plasma pistol was useless. Ray grudgingly left it behind. Kaylie remained on the Shinobi, armed with the pistol that Ichiro had taken from her on Mars.
She had wanted to go with them to confront Niruku, but they had argued about the need for her to keep the Shinobi protected in case there were others on the Leviathan who might try to commandeer their ship.
“You’ve got fifteen rounds in that pistol,” Ray had said. “Save them for an emergency. Keep the ship clear. It’s our only escape.”
She had relented and stayed behind, sitting on the bridge. Estia was streaming her vision to the forward viewer to keep Kaylie apprised of their progress. As Ray and Estia approached the other cargo bay, Kaylie regretted staying behind. She didn’t feel like she was doing enough to protect their flank.
“Should I follow along behind?” she asked Estia over a headset.
“I think it would be better if you stayed and watched from the ship,” Estia said. “We might need you to do something for us if we get into trouble.”
“Okay,” Kaylie said, not sounding convinced.
Ray was glad Estia had said it, relieving him of the need to ask Kaylie to stay behind again. He’d already made his argument, but it was only half true. The confrontation before them was going to be dangerous and perhaps deadly. He didn’t want Kaylie to be hurt again, especially on account of his actions. The excuses he made for leaving her on the ship had a valid premise, of course, but his primary motivation was just to protect her. Kaylie must know that, deep down, but she had relented when he had asked her to stay behind.
He wondered if he’d ever see her again and regretted not talking with her about how he really felt. While his anger toward her persisted, it was only a surface-level concern. He’d get over it eventually, and now he felt regret for not having forgiven her outright before he left. He considered going back, but was afraid this would ruin his resolve to confront Niruku.
He stood in a dimly lit corner of the cargo bay with Estia, surrounded by the hum of machinery and the faint glow of control panels. The weight of the upcoming confrontation pressed heavily on his shoulders, and he could feel his heart pounding in his chest. He practiced some breathing exercises and noticed Estia observing him.
Ray looked at her. “You ready?”
“Do you trust me?” she asked.
“I’m going to have to, aren’t I?” he said.