Page 49 of Galactic Sentinels: Vol 2
I grab my remaining groceries, say goodbye, and leave the store.
And everything’s changed.
In the middle of the main street, two figures stand locked in a silent showdown.
On one side—my father. Years of abuse have taken their toll. He’s wearing a worn-out linen shirt, canvas pants, and cracked boots. His eyes are wide with fear and horror.
On the other—Felone. Dark. Cruel. His face is a patchwork of scars from countless fights. His crooked nose looks like it’s beenbroken more than once. He wears a long black coat, spotless boots, and a cowboy hat that casts a shadow over his cold, cruel eyes. A hideous smirk curls his lips. A wide belt hangs at his waist, revealing a rough polymer-made pistol, primitive compared to the Galactic Sentinels' pistoblasters.
The silence is deafening—broken only by the rusty creak of a nearby air-flow detector pushed by the wind.
Seconds stretch. Invisible spectators gather in the shadows, eager not to miss the drama.
“This man… defied my authority!” Felone says loudly, making sure everyone hears. “I told him to leave. Told him to stay out of my business!”
With just those two lines, I understand—my father got himself into trouble. Again.
“But… I… I have to… survive…” Dad stammers.
“You were selling Zebulon behind my back. You thought you could deal my drug without me knowing?”
“I… I’m sorry… I won’t do it again!”
“Oh, I can promise you that,” Felone replies, his smile wicked.
He draws his weapon slowly. I instinctively step forward, but a hand grips my shoulder, holding me back.
“Don’t. You can’t help him anymore,” Rebecca whispers.
A shot rings out, shattering the silence. Dust flies up from the ground. My father sways. A red stain blooms across his chest. He stares at it, confused… and collapses.
“Anyone else want to challenge me?” Felone’s voice cuts through the silence.
No one moves. The whole street holds its breath.
Felone smiles. A cruel, satisfied grin. His eyes glint with icy amusement.
“Then drinks are on me! Let’s celebrate at the saloon!” he says, tipping his hat like a grim-faced showman.
I stand frozen, staring at my father’s lifeless body. Whatever his flaws—his greed, his failures—he was still my dad.
Some settlers step forward to take his body. I want to help.
“You can’t do anything more for him,” Rebecca insists gently.
I close my eyes. My throat tightens. Pain surges through me—grief for a man who gave me nothing, yet whose death still hurts.
But Rebecca is right. I have to go.
I grab my bags and rush to my aeropod. Before I reach the great forest, I land briefly and record a holographic message to Logan. I know he’s far away, and it’ll take time for the message to reach him. Longer still for him to get here.
But I know he’ll come. However long it takes—Logan will come.
***
Days later.
My brother is finally here! He came straight to find me among the Gekkaris… at my lab—well, what I call a lab! I didn’t expect him so soon, but I’m beyond relieved to see him again after all this time.
