Page 19 of Eclipse Bound
"Partly," Eclipse admitted. "But also because of your actions. You've helped us without seeking advantage, provided accommodations suited to our needs, and kept our presence concealed from authorities. These are not the behaviors of someone with harmful intent."
"I could just be setting you up for government capture," she pointed out.
"Are you?"
"No." Her immediate response carried conviction. "But you can't just trust everyone you meet here, Eclipse. I'd speculate that Earth isn't like your diplomatic zones. People lie. They manipulate. They exploit differences."
"That is not unlike our zones," he said quietly. "Shadows and light, forever suspicious of each other's motives."
Rowan seemed to consider this. "Maybe that's why I'm helping you. I know what it's like to be caught between opposing sides, trying to maintain balance."
Eclipse sensed there was more to her statement, a personal history she wasn't yet sharing. Before he could inquire further, sounds of movement came from the eastern room.
Solar emerged, wearing new Earth garments that strained against his muscular frame. His skin-suit was visibly deteriorating, golden light leaking around the edges.
"These coverings you bought me are inadequate, Eclipse," Solar complained, tugging at the shirt. "And this skin-suit is failing. I cannot maintain human appearance much longer."
"I brought alternatives," Rowan said, retrieving a bag she hadn't yet unpacked. "These might work better. They're made for desert sun protection. Looser fit, better coverage."
Solar examined the offerings with skepticism but accepted them with a nod that, for him, constituted gratitude. "I must prepare for my research expedition to The Crash Zone to learn combat techniques."
"Research," Eclipse repeated dryly. "Of course."
Solar ignored his tone. "When will the corporation representatives arrive with our real supplies? The communication device has been silent."
"They said they would contact us when the ship is secured," Eclipse replied. "I wouldn't anticipate immediate assistance."
Solar muttered something uncomplimentary in their native language before retreating to his room with the new garments.
"Is he a warrior?" Rowan asked once Solar had gone. "I can tell he's all light and fire."
Eclipse nodded. "From the Solarus Zone. The light-dweller society values strength, direct action, and visible display. Subtlety is not their strength."
"And the other one? Lunar? He's all shadow and stealth?"
"The Lunaris Zone had to evolve differently to their environment to survive. Shadow-dwellers value observation, strategic patience, and the conservation of resources. Living in perpetual darkness creates different priorities."
Rowan absorbed this information. "And you? What does the Twilight Belt value?"
"Balance," Eclipse answered simply. "We exist between extremes, facilitating communication, finding compromise, maintaining equilibrium."
"That sounds exhausting."
Eclipse hadn't expected her perception. "It can be. Constantly mediating between sides that fundamentally mistrust each other takes its toll."
"Is that why you agreed to this mission? To escape the pressure?"
The question struck closer to the truth than Eclipse was comfortable admitting. "I was selected by the council because of my diplomatic record."
"That's not an answer." Rowan's gaze was steady, penetrating.
"No," he conceded. "It's not."
Another silence fell. Eclipse found himself wanting to share his true circumstances. He'd submitted a transfer request due to his growing disillusionment with the endless, circular negotiations. He also had a suspicion that this mission was less about peace and more about removing problematic voices from the political equation.
But such admissions might compromise the mission further.
Before he could decide, the western door opened, and Lunar emerged from the shadows. Unlike Solar, he moved with fluid grace, his form barely visible as he kept to the darker portions of the room.
