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Qhix reaches out and runs his fingers over an invisible shielding, stirring it to life. It shimmers outward under his touch like water rippling across a pond. "It's solidified light and will shield us from the vacuum of space."
"Solidified light?" I repeat, my eyes wide with wonder. "Like the barrier you broke through in the cargo hold?"
"Something similar. The barrier was made of a nanite weave, this tunnel is more solid than that because there's phosphoric tubing emitting a light particle pathway between the tubing on my craft and this one."
Qhix's techno-jargon explanation is lost on me. It seems impossible, yet there it is—a bridge made of pure luminescence stretching out before us. A pathway of radiant energy connecting the two spacecraft.
"Come here, my pet." Qhix beckons me with a curl of his fingers.
My heart pounds in my chest as I cautiously step forward to examine the shimmering tunnel for myself. It emits a mesmerizing display of colors that seem to dance and twinkle with an otherworldly energy.
"Touch it." Qhix takes my trembling hand in his, guiding me to gently press my fingertips against a surface that is surprisingly solid.
Qhix's hand covers mine in a surge of warmth, spreading like a wildfire through my veins, which has nothing to do with the luminetric tunnel. His body curves protectively around mine, and in this moment, time stands still and the vast expanse of space surrounding us fades to a backdrop in the heat of our shared passion.
The solid light beneath our fingertips pulsates with a gentle hum, as if it too is alive and responding to our connection. A mingling of energies and emotions that transcends the physical and delves into something deeper, something primal.
With my hand clasped tightly in Qhix's, we walk through the tunnel of light that connects Behtu's ship to his. An exhilarating departure heightened by the breathtaking view of infinite space stretched out in all directions.
Awe-inspiring as well as unnerving, it feels as though we are walking on air or dancing on the stars themselves. When I look down at my feet, every footstep triggers the shifting of a kaleidoscope of colors.
As we cross through the luminetric tunnel, I can't help but steal glances at Qhix. His presence beside me, his hand firmly holding mine, I'm swept up in a sense of safety and belonging in this vast emptiness. In perfect synchrony we move, our footsteps light and effortless, as if we're floating through a dream.
Too soon, we reach the hatch to Qhix's ship. I could walk this tunnel for another mile with Qhix at my side and never tire.
The panel scans his palm and the hatch glides open, granting us access. We head to the command deck and take our seats, the ship having thawed out from the last time we were on board.
"Behtu has us all fueled up." Qhix illuminates a section on the control panel with the swipe of his finger, showing the power level of the fresh rillium.
A contented smile spreads across my face as my body sinks deeper into the seat, at ease knowing we won't have to worry about running out of rillium like we did before.
"Luminetric tunnel disengaged. Shifting power to forward thrusters," Qhix mumbles as his fingers dance across the control panel, his movements fluid and precise as he navigates through the depths of space. The hum of the ship's engines fills my ears as we soar through the stars, heading toward Qhix's hideaway.
I stare out of the front viewscreen, mesmerized by the ever-changing scenery outside. Galaxies swirl past us, stars twinkle in the distance, and nebulas paint the expanse with vibrant colors.
Before long, I catch my first glimpse of the world where Qhix has made his hideaway. A breathtaking display of colorful clouds churn and swirl across the planet's atmosphere. Wisps of purple, blue, and green collide in a hypnotic dance.
"It's beautiful," I breathe out in wonder.
Qhix smiles, pleased by my reaction. "The gases in the atmosphere refract light in the most amazing ways. Just wait until you see the sunset."
We descend through the atmosphere, slicing through cotton-candy pink and lavender clouds. The land below comes into focus, rugged mountains and valleys covered in lush vegetation. He flies low, skimming the surface of a turquoise sea. Frothy waves cascade over pink sand begging for my footprints. Unmarred by the taint of civilization, it's a pristine paradise I can't wait to explore.
"You live on the beach?" I ask, excited.
As Qhix brings the ship down smoothly onto a landing pad surrounded by heavy vegetation, I'm already unfastening my seat straps in anticipation of exploring this new world. He follows close on my heels as I rush to the hatch, anxious to sink my toes in the pink sand.
As soon as Qhix opens the hatch and descends the ramp, a briny breeze greets me with open arms. I kick off my soft leather shoes and let Qhix lead me across the rippling dunes until the boundless ocean is unveiled before my eyes.
Chapter
Four
QHIX
"You're sure it's safe?" Tasha peers up at me with eyes that gleam with excitement. Her wonderment takes me back to the first time I set foot on Pryt and walked barefoot in the soft sand with the salty breeze in my hair and the sun warm upon my face.
"Perfectly," I say, grinning down at her. "There's nothing that will harm you here."
