Free Beyond the Stars: INEO by Kelly Beltz Page B

the ground for another load. A continuous cloud of dust billowed up from the growing pile.
    Noah’s face held an expression of awe. “Look at it. I wonder how many places that ship has weathered,” Noah said, sounding thrilled.
    “It looks like a lot,” I replied with little excitement of my own. And then I began to take note of the aged metal and wondered where it had been as well.
    Noah asked Gaelan and Zaric, “It’s small. Can we take it with us?”
    “No,” they adamantly declared in unison.
    Zaric put his hand on Noah’s back. “Don’t get sentimental over that heap of scraps. I’ll buy you a new one when we get home,” he joked.
    “You will? Thanks!” Noah said, playing along.
    I studied Noah’s gleaming face while his attention was glued to the dilapidated ship. His enthusiasm was so strong, I found it contagious. Ever since I knew Noah, he had not only been one of the most amazing, smartest engineers I’d ever met. He had two favorite hobbies. One was his ability to lure good looking women into the sack and the other was his vast study and appreciation of history. I remember feeling embarrassed by the fact that he, a Katarian transplant, knew more about Earth’s history than I did.
    As we got closer, I started to ignore the ship and focused my attention on Loic, who was outside, running around frantically. His erratic movements made it look as though he was chasing something. He kept bending over to pick up his messenger bag, which repeatedly fell off his shoulder. He was dressed in dark brown clothing, had long disheveled brown hair hanging well below his shoulders, a rough overgrown beard, and an over-all unkempt appearance. He had a medium build and looked gaunt because he was starving. And judging by the looseness of his clothes and hollowed cheekbones, I figured he was.
    “What is he doing?” Gaelan asked in a mocking tone.
    “Packing, I guess,” I said, watching him scamper around while he repeatedly bent over to grab pieces of scattered junk off the ground and lift the flap of his bag to stuff it inside.
    “It looks like the bag is winning,” Zaric muttered after Loic’s bag dropped off his shoulder, again.
    Finally, Loic stopped bumbling about and looked satisfied with his collection of stuff. He threw the sack over his right shoulder and stood up straight as though he was trying to act composed for our benefit as we approached.
    “Alas, my rescue crew has arrived. I’m ready. Let’s go,” Loic shouted boastfully. He briskly walked up to us with the large sack swinging clumsily from his back. He was a little shorter than Gaelan’s six-foot-one stature and his face had a few more wrinkles. Still, like Gaelan, he could probably pass for a person in his thirties.
    “Not so fast, Loic,” Gaelan said firmly.
    Gaelan gave me an unhappy look. I could tell he wasn’t thrilled to deliver Loic the ultimatum he and Tyden had discussed. Noah and I stood back and let Gaelan and Zaric deal with Loic. After all, it was their job, not ours.
    “Long time no see, G.” Loic paused to look at Gaelan. “G, Zaric, you’re part of tribe Tyden, so let me guess, Ty ordered you to interrogate me before you can take me aboard,” Loic said with a moan.
    “Loic, we need to talk—”
    “We can catch up onboard,” Loic interrupted and started walking away.
    “We’re here on business,” Gaelan stated matter-of-factly. “We have a proposition for you. We swear to bring you aboard if you agree to help us,” Gaelan offered.
    Loic’s feet came to a stop. “Go on,” he said in a coy tone.
    Gaelan continued. “We need to find the Dreons. Do you know how to track them?”
    “I may.” Loic turned around and smiled at him smugly.
    “Here’s our offer. You will help us find the Dreons. After we do, we promise to drop you off at one of the major ports with your fee in hand,” Gaelan proposed.
    “Jeez, you’re already planning to get rid of me,” Loic complained in a whiny tone.
    Gaelan’s and