A few hours later, I found myself in the dining hall playing cards with some of the crew hands. We’d been playing for about an hour now, but I couldn’t recall their names. I’d lost twice so far, but it was worth it for the intel.

  Apparently Planet K121 was already on Jin’s radar for a hit. This didn’t surprise me in the least. He may be the grandson of our grandmother's best friend, but he was still ruthless. Intel had leaked of possible invaluable resources such as briny oil or even Admium being drilled. It was also well within the pirate rings territory. Usually companies drilling so close to their territory paid a fee to not be bothered, but this company did not. That either meant security protected them or they were too cheap to bother. It seemed far too little information to gamble a heist on. What if we showed up and were shot right out of the sky? I would have to talk with Nia. She should stay here safe, while I checked out its prospects for hiding. I folded out of the game and went to find Nia.

  “The transport leaves in about an hour. I plan to be on it, to scope it out.” I announced when I found Nia reading in the lounge. She looked cozy, tucked into a tan armchair by the fireplace simulation. Nia looked me up and down, then frowned.

  “Why do you look like you’re about to go on a job? I thought we were only going to talk to them?”

  I pursed my lips, debating how to answer. She looked pointedly at my old boots, my weapons, and my hair pulled back.

  “Because Jin is sending a crew to steal their inventory, and I want to see what we’re dealing with.”

  Nia frowned so deeply lines appeared between her brows. “Somehow I don’t think robbing that rig is the best way to garner favor for hiding out.” She muttered something that sounded like bloody pirates.

  She had a good point there. “Well, I could go down with a much smaller crew to gauge how likely they would be to host us first. If it’s not gonna happen, I give the signal for the rest to come in.”

  She chewed on her lip in thought. “Thats the best I’m going to get isn’t it?’

  “The cost of being transported and hidden by pirates is that they will find a way to reimburse themselves. We’re quite resourceful that way.”

  “Resourceful is a very generous way of putting it.” Nia turned back to her book.

  I stepped closer, peering down. “What are you reading?”

  She held it open more. “It's an old lullaby book, our parents used to read to us, do you remember it?

  I leaned over, eyeing the antique flat screen displaying a poem and read.

  The Monstravi were mostly benevolent gods;

  or as benevolent as gods of the wild can be.

  But two were outcast from the Monstravi at odds.

  Ozoma, shifting between worlds and spaces.

  He listened to no one, cared not for his places.

  Negligence, though, was far better fare

  when Ziuh was the one in charge of their care.

  Ziuh the great snake, the destroyer, the bold.

  No matter the name or the shape,

  If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

  Be wary his hold.

  “Ziuh,” I said slowly. “That was the name of our Monstravis.”

  Nia smiled. “Yes, that’s right.”

  “Well no wonder he was destroyed.”

  She glared at me. “The victor is the one who rewrites history. Don’t believe everything you read about it.”

  “What reason did I have not to? Is there another story out there, claiming he was a benevolent god?” I asked.

  “Not written, no. But our elders have stories passed down. They said it wouldn’t bend to the will of man, to their greed, so it was destroyed. But one day soon it will return”

  Her answer was disturbing on several levels. I was tired of dancing on eggshells around her. Was she converted to the cult or now? I had to know what she really believed. No more holding back.

  “It sounds like you want to reincarnate a Monstravi that was so feared it was somehow destroyed, despite the cost of killing the land we used to survive on, yet you are convinced this time it will be different? You have no solid evidence for your claim that it was unjustly destroyed.” I pointed to the passage.

  “Let’s assume that you do manage to bring it back. What if you’re wrong? What if it hatches and attacks everyone? These things are so powerful they could sneeze and wipe out a civilization. Why risk it?”

  Nia clenched her jaw, the book straining under whitened knuckles. “You don’t understand, you never did. ”

  I stood and threw up my hands. “Then help me understand! Benny is dead. The Rog is scattered, we are running from your maniacal ex. Please, help me understand how this was worth it. I don’t trust the Syndicate, but what if they were right to hide it? We’re better off without the gods meddling.”

  I could tell I pushed too far as her eyes went flat, her face stoic. She stood abruptly, clutching the book against her chest like a shield. “I love you, Naomi, and I expected you to be the only one who would understand. But it seems I’m still alone.”

  I was losing her. She was putting up walls and I was losing my sister more now than in the past few years she was away. I dragged my hands down my face in frustration.

  “You’re not alone.” I pleaded. “I’ve abandoned my port, my people, my cousin, my crew, my entire life to help you. I’m here with you despite having no reassurances or even understanding what exactly happened in Xenalba. I’m here despite all that.”

  She thinned her lips but said nothing.

  I softened my tone. “Please, help me understand.” I held my hands up in supplication. Tense seconds ticked by. After an eternity on the brink of losing my sister, her stoic face crumpled at last. Her shoulders slumped and she dropped heavily back into the chair.

  “I’m sorry.” She said quietly as tears streamed down her face. “I didn’t mean to cause all this chaos. I can see how this looks to you. Like I’m some zealot.” She sniffled. I perched next to her and wrapped my arm around her.

  She continued, her voice wobbly. “I’m feeling vindicated and celebrating my success escaping while you’re mourning Benny and-god I must be an insensitive asshole.” She started crying in earnest and now my eyes were stinging. She leaned into my shoulder and all my anger melted away.

  “I’m not mad, I will drop everything for you, to protect you. But I have to know who you need protecting from.” I whispered.

  She nodded, still weeping. She tried to talk, but was still hiccupping in tears. I waited patiently.

  After several moments of us holding each other, she took a deep breath, and I felt some tension that I wasn’t even aware of melt away. My shoulders sagged, my lids closed of their own accord. I felt drained, like the past few minutes of emotional turmoil sucked the energy right out of me, despite not crying myself. But at least we were being honest with each other.

  She lifted her head a bit but was gazing at nothing. “My beliefs, it's not something I can explain and it make sense to you. You would have to feel it.”

  I furrowed my brows in confusion. “Feel what?”

  “Feel the Monstravi. Connect with it.” She must have sensed me tense because she quickly said, “I know you’re not interested, the cost of communication is too high. I’ll find another way.” I relaxed a bit, waiting for her solution. Her face scrunched up in concentration, working through the problem.

  Ding.

  “Arrival on Planet K121 in ten minutes.” The announcement jarred us out of our moment.

  “Well, I better go discuss our change of plan with Jin. He won’t be happy I’m delaying his raid.”

  She nodded, smiling weakly. “Be careful ok.” I nodded, then extricated myself to seek out Jin. Raiding was much more familiar territory than baring my heart.