The bombardment strike hit before they cleared the outer ridge. The ground convulsed beneath their boots. A column of fire erupted from the cliff face behind them, the shockwave slamming into the ravine and sending shards of burning rocks hurling through the air.
"Move" the mercenary captain roared.
Kael carried the older child against his chest, one arm securing her tightly while shielding her head from falling debris. Derek held the younger one, sprinting slightly behind, still scanning for movement even as the area detonated around them.
The mercenaries also began their retreat when they saw the two Shock Troopers move at great speeds into the forest.
The dropship sat nearly eight hundred meters across open plateau, far enough that the sprint felt endless under fire. Another orbital strike hit, closer.
The children buried their faces into Kael and Derek's armour, trembling but silent but they were able to reach the ship fairly quickly.
They put the kids down and escorted them inside while Kael went back to cover for the mercenaries. He kept exchanging fire until the mercs carried their injured to the ship while he held the line.
He kept firing to pin down the hostiles until he could hear the dropship starting in the distance. After some time, he returned to the ship, most of the mercenaries were hit and bleeding, crying as they were strapped into their seats.
They did not have much time, the ramp slammed shut and the dropship surged upward just as a hail of fire was coming against the ship. Through the viewport, the trees of Virex 3 were burning down and the remaining hostiles cursing at them.
***
Silence filled the interior with the rare cries of pain incurred by the mercs. It was not a clean mission but it was successful, they were able to get the kids out fast and get out even if it was risky.
Kael sat gently beside the older child on a secure bench, Derek did the same with the younger one. The kids clung to each other again, eyes wide but relieved with the thought of returning home.
"They are stable" Derek said quietly after observing them.
Kael nodded slowly. "Good."
Across from them, one of the mercenaries groaned as they were administered medical assistance, to seal a wound along his ribs. Another sat hunched forward, helmet off staring at nothing.
The captain remained conscious, though his shoulder was wrapped in emergency bandage, blood seeping through. It was normal for them, as mercs they risked their lives every time they went for missions still this one was worth it.
The older child studied Kael now no longer trembling. Her large eyes traced the faint scarring along his jaw, the hardened lines in his expression. Carefully she reached out to touch the edge of his coat, not afraid but curious.
Kael looked down at her hand and for a brief moment softened his gaze returned a polite smile. Derek noticed.
The dropship broke through the upper atmosphere, the violent shaking eased as stars replaced the burning sky. Behind them , Virex-3 continued to glow as they ship pushed forward.
After several minutes, the pilots voice crackled over the comm as the ship slowed down.
"Approaching orbital station. Private dock clearance confirmed."
Kael stood.
The hangar doors of the station slowly opened before them, bright clean. The dropship descended and parked. The ramp lowered, a line of station security stood waiting and behind them a single man, important.
He was tall, impeccably dressed and surrounded by quiet authority. When the children descended the ramp, they froze for half a heartbeat and the younger one gasped.
"Va'ren..."
The man stepped forward quickly, composure breaking as both children ran into his arms in tears. He dropped to one knee and held them tightly, eyes closed as if to steady himself. For a long moment he did not speak, just held them tightly.
Then speaking their language he comforted them. Finally he rose and handed the children gently to waiting attendants and approached Kael, Derek and the merc captain. Though there were tears still in his eyes his gaze was sharp.
"Thank you. You saved me from having to spend a lot of money."
"It was our job" replied the merc captain.
Kael and Derek having completed the mission, prepared to leave. The rich man stopped them.
"Please, you did me a great favour, I do not forget debts."
"We were assisting the mercenaries of our own volition, no need for that." Kael replied. "Well, then captain till we see each other again."
Kael gave a short nod, Derek did the same. No more words were needed and they began to walk away. Kael pressed his communicator and called someone.
"We were able to complete the mission. You will get the result from the captain. Pleasure working with you."
Then he turned it off and they walked further into the station. The station corridors were quiet compared to the battlefield they had left behind. White walls. Polished floors and civilian traffic moving ordered streams.
"You didn't take his offer" Derek began. "Why, he is a powerful man and might prove useful."
"Yes. He might be useful for Kael, but rarely for Wein. At least compared to him, there are far more people that answer to me than the other way around."
Derek gave a faint exhale through his nose. They reached a public transit platform that would take them toward the long range civilian docks. Around them, merchants, consultants, and families crowded the polished floor, each tending to their needs.
In the centre was a large halo screen stationed above, drawing attention from some of the crowds. A news broadcast replaced advertisements.
The anchor's voice carried clearly across the chamber.
"Today marks the official conclusion of the Mourning Period observed throughout the empire and galaxy following the death of former lord Neilson Voss."
On screen appeared archived footage of a towering, armoured figure addressing fleets of warships and defending the galaxy during the last great war. His presence was unmistakable, commanding, and absolute. The stories made him a hero and his house respected.
"High Administration representatives have confirmed that with the mourning period concluded, Lord Wein will proceed and step into the political world as the new lord. All systems are eager to see Lord Wein step into the shoes of his predecessor and see what he will do."
Kael watched the broadcast carefully. He could see, the galaxy was awaiting his arrival and were eager to see if he was the best fit for House Voss.
The screen faded back to commercial programming, attention resumed to normal.
***
The landing platform extended from the upper levels of a vast structure carved into a cliffside overlooking Velmora's primary ocean. Storm clouds rolled slowly across the horizon, lit by distant lightning.
A dropship slowly settled onto the platform, a formation of guards standing in perfect symmetry awaited to greet them. They were the elites of House Voss. Their armour bearing the sigil clearly as they stood weapons positioned cleanly.
The door opened and Kael stepped out onto the stairs on the sides. He was back on Velmora and the fresh air hit him like a wave. Still in his Kael persona he walked down as the guards lowered their heads in unison.
"My lord."
The words echoed against the wind. Derek stepped down behind him and stood slightly to the rear left.
A senior officer approached, robed in dark formal attire.
"We have been instructed to accompany you to your residence, the Council meeting is scheduled for as soon as you are ready."
Of course it was, Kael thought. He looked out across the ocean briefly, the air smelt better, clean. He turned back to Derek who was his friend for the past months even though there was power imbalance.
"Mr Thorne it has been an honour" he said raising a salute.
Derek straightened his posture firm and arm curved in a neat salute.
"The honour has been mine my lord."
"Till we meet again."
Kael walked away, following the officer and the guards to a 'limo' which waited for him and drove him. Derek remained, still saluting, as he watched.
To him, he had spent the past months with not just an old subordinate but his lord. Going through the dangers of missions, trusting each other with their lives. He had the honour of standing by and assisting his lord, the highest being in the galaxy for him.
He would remember his adventures with his lord.
The vehicle moved in silence, flanked by armoured escorts on both sides. Through the reinforced glass, Velmora's coastline stretched endlessly, dark waters crashing against the stone cliffs beneath the roadway.
Kael sat alone, he noticed how comfortable the seat felt. It was different from the past months. His armour suddenly felt heavy and unnecessary. He took it off and suddenly he caught the sudden, unpleasant smell of himself. He never did get a shower all throughout.
"Greetings lord Wein" a voice came from the vehicles speaker. Kael looked up and saw it was Astra.
"Astra. I have missed you."
"As did I my lord."
"Make sure to ready me a bath when I arrive."
"As you wish, my lord."
As the vehicle continued into a tunnel, Kael reached for his face and pulled it off, the mask he had been using revealing the familiar more kept face of Wein al Voss.
"I have a lot of work to do" he noted to himself.