Page 106 of Alien Warlord's Fury

Rivera cleared her throat. "Monitoring protocols. Hammond accessed other nodes".

I nodded. "The Aerie records show three major nodes in our territories. We begin there".

As they discussed details, I reflected. The alliance was fragile but a beginning. Through our bond, I could sense Claire's hope and determination. Hammond was gone, the Nexus healing. The children recovering. Our bond, our anchor.

The chamber emptied. Claire finished her discussion and returned to my side. "How are your wounds?" she asked quietly.

"Healing," I replied.

She nodded, markings catching the light. "I'm still getting used to this," she admitted, gesturing to the markings. "They changed after the interface".

I studied the intricate silver lines. "The ancient patterns," I said. "My grandmother spoke of them—on guardians who maintained the Nexus before the Great Division".

"You think that's what I am?"

"I think you are becoming what you need to be," I replied. "Your people are starting to accept me."

"They see what I see," I corrected. "Strength that complements ours".

"We should join the others," I said.

Claire nodded. "Hammond is really gone".

"Yes." My hand rested on her shoulder. "His threat has ended".

"But there will be others," she stated.

"The mountain faces many storms," I agreed. "But it stands".

We walked together from the chamber, steps in rhythm. Outside, the settlement bustled. I felt Claire's resolve through our bond—purpose beyond revenge. And I had found a connection I hadn't known to seek. We would walk the uncertain path together.

CLAIRE

Isettled into the chair by the data display, scanning through the scrolling Nexus readings. The silver markings along my forearms tingled as the data flowed, a gentle resonance I was still getting used to. Since stabilizing the Nexus core, my connection to it had changed—less chaotic visions, more structured information.

"The energy signatures are stabilizing," I murmured, tracing a finger along a particularly interesting pattern. "See this sequence? It matches the ancient symbols we found in the eastern chamber."

Nirako moved behind me, his presence warm and solid. He leaned over my shoulder, his lifelines casting a soft glow against the display's blue light. His tail rested lightly against my back, a familiar, comforting weight.

"The pattern resembles Aerie mountain ranges," he said, voice low near my ear. "Our elders speak of the land reflecting the sky, and the sky reflecting the Nexus."

I turned slightly, caught by the poetry in his words. "Your people have always understood this connection better than humans. We came here with our technology and never stopped to listen to what the planet was telling us."

"Until you." His fingers brushed my shoulder, light as mountain air. "You heard when others would not."

The compliment warmed me, though I knew it wasn't entirely deserved. "I didn't exactly volunteer for this connection." I gestured to my silver markings. "Hammond's experiments forced it on me."

"The path matters less than where it leads." Nirako straightened, moving toward the small cooking area of our dwelling. "The Aerie teaches that purpose finds us through many doors—some we open willingly, others break upon us like storm winds."

I closed the data display and stretched, muscles protesting after hours of analysis. The dwelling the council had assigned us was modest but comfortable—a blend of human salvaged technology and Nyxari craftsmanship. Nirako had added his own touches: dried mountain flowers hanging from the ceiling beams, woven mats on the floor, carved wooden implements arranged with precise care.

"You've made this place feel like home," I said, watching him prepare a simple meal.

His hands paused briefly. "It is home now."

The simple declaration settled something in me—a restlessness I'd carried since the crash, since Hammond, since everything. I joined him at the cooking surface, taking the knife he offered to slice the purple root vegetables.

"Tell more about the Aerie," I said. "You mentioned traditions during the council meeting, but we haven't really talked about your home."

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