Star Rising: Heartless Read Online Free PDF

wasn’t so sure.
    “You’re not coming with us?” asked Xalen, even though he was now aware of the answer. Nonetheless, part of him hoped he was wrong; that his friend would say that he was leaving this hell-hole of a planet behind too. That he was ready to go out into the universe and put a stop to the Deargs.
    “I’m sorry,” whispered Rund. “I can’t go. I’ve been asked to aid Mr. Tafarus. I’m to fill him in the day–to-day affairs.” His chubby face broke into a dozen wrinkles as he smiled. “Isn’t it great?”
    “Why would you stay on this ugly ball of black rock?” He blinked rapidly. “It’s a disfigured heap of rubble that—” Xalen forced himself to stop talking. He was going down an uncomfortable line of thought, one that was putting his wants over those of his friend. He bowed his head, feeling the weight of the departure come over him like a meteor.
    A thick hand rested over his shoulder. “I will miss you.”
    He took Rund’s hand, and gave it one last firm shake. “This isn’t goodbye. I will be back soon.”
    “I know you will.”
    “Tell the children. Tell them that I will miss them. Tell them that I…I…”
    “Don’t worry. I’ll let them know….goodbye, my friend.”
    Rund turned, and Xalen watched him go in silence. He looked away as the threat of tears assaulted his senses. He almost screamed out for Rund to wait; nearly marched out the ship, determined to stay with his lifelong friend. But despite the sudden urge, he did not cry out. For even though the bonds he had formed on Vintra beckoned him to stay, there was something stronger out there in the universe that called to him. It was the desire to protect.
    So he remained silent. There were no words more to say. They both knew, despite their promises, they would never see each other again.
     
    ΩΩΩ
     
    Reave glanced look around the ship, letting his disappointment show on his face. “Tafarus has always had a taste for the extravagant.” He took a seat, resting his dirty boots on a polished wooden table. The man turned his attention to Xalen, who had taken a seat opposite of Reave. “So tell me, are you excited about becoming an Alioth?”
    “Um… somewhat?”
    Reave stayed silent, staring at Xalen, hovering on the brink of disbelief and anger. “Are you telling me that you’ve never heard of Alioth?”
    “Yes I have, sir. Though not much besides the details of a few battles.”
    The man blew out a breath of exasperation. “That lady really did a number on you, didn’t she?”
    “I sup—”
    “Don’t answer that. It was a rhetorical question.” Another heavy breath. “Mica. Take us into orbit and off of this hunk of rock.”
    “This what, sir?” asked Mica’s pompous voice.
    “Take us out of Vintra’s orbit.”
    “Confirmed, sir.”
    “Didn’t those dandies over at the Bastion program you to recognize all types of speech?”
    “I am programmed in over one-hundred languages, sir. Nonetheless, it must be properly spoken for my program to compute it. I don’t comprehend slang .” The way the computer said slang, made it seem as if the word itself was a contagious disease that was to be avoided at all costs.
    “Just get the ship in orbit.”
    “Yes, sir.” The engine whizzed to life with a subtle, barely audible hum. The shaking, loud engine growls, and tumbles Xalen had always associated with ships were nonexistent.
    “Trust me,” said Reave, as if reading his mind. “Only the Bastion ships are this quiet. Alioth ships are a bit more … rumbustious.”
    Xalen felt lost. “Bastion?”
    Reave swore under his breath. “You have a lot of information to absorb, and very little time to learn it. So listen up and pay close attention.” Xalen straightened. “You’re correct and wrong. Alioth are the army, but at the same time, they’re not.” If Xalen thought he was lost before, now his head was really spinning. “Alioths are an elite branch of the army. Only the absolute best of the