Chapter Four

As the Shootingstar raced through hyperspace, Kurtis, Dudkhundi, and Sintara talked about what was needed once they arrived at the Phoenix cluster boundary.

"Dud, see what information you can find on the Samara systems. Sintara can put it into the navigation computers and relay it to the Akbarians fighters. They'll need to know all the information available on the fighters that are on the Samara in order to be prepared." Kurtis had no more than given the order before Dudkhundi and Sintara were on task. Dudkhundi was off to gather some needed information before any verbal exchange had ceased. 

Sintara took this opportunity to speak to Kurtis alone. Her voice was soft and low.

"Kurtis, what would you have done if I had not been successful in convincing my father to allow me to remain with you and the Shootingstar."

"What?" Sintara asked sharply. "Do you mean that you would not have gone to my father to plead for my return?" she continued in fearful disbelief.

Kurtis gave her a look that was neither shock nor whimsical, but a look that told Sintara that Kurtis was putting her on.

"Of course I would have fought to keep you. You are the best navigator there is. I could never have replaced you. That along with other considerations would have prompted me to plead to your father for your return to the Shootingstar." Kurtis said.

"And just what other considerations would prompt you to such actions, captain?" Sintara choose to address him in this formal fashion to match his statement.