"Your holocast telling us where to go was genius," Xyrek added.
Nock threw a triumphant glance at Zaarek. "That's twice now."
"You're a genius," Zaarek deadpanned.
"Alright, let's have a seat. Let's talk," Sloane waved to a long table set with food and beverages. "Help yourselves."
"Let's get to the part where youremember everything." Zaarek eyed Xyrek curiously. The resemblance between the two men was uncanny—more than the silver skin and black, short-cropped hair. They both had the same nose, even though Zaarek's was more crooked. The same lips and high cheekbones. Even the same square chin. "Why do you think we're brothers?"
"I don't think it. I know it," Xyrek said. "Once upon a time, we were brothers on Darlam. None of you remembers anything?" He looked from one to the other, and all of them shook their heads. Tharaax massaged the side of his head.
"Actually, I do remember seeing you," Vraax said, looking at Tharaax. "In one of my dreams. But I wasn't sure if it was a memory or something my mind made up. But I saw you carrying Suahaana in the forest."
Tharaax narrowed his eyes. "You never said anything."
Vraax shrugged, "Like I said, I wasn't sure if it was a dream or a memory."
Tharaax rubbed his head harder, and Hannah scooted next to him. "It's okay."
Noodar and Zaarek were rubbing theirs, too.
"What's going on?" I asked.
"Headaches," Nova explained. "Whenever they try to remember, they get terrible headaches."
I looked at Xyrek, who raised his shoulders and said, "Zapharos said mine were gone because I regained my full memory."
"Zapharos?" Sloane asked sharply. "You met Zapharos?"
"Not so much met. He decided to enter my head one night. I still want to kill him."
"You and me both," Zaarek suddenly laughed. "He came to me, too, warning me to stay away from Darlam until we wereall united. Creepy bastard."
Suddenly, everyone started talking once again. I met Sloane's gaze, who looked thoughtful. She allowed the racket to go on for a few moments before she slammed her fist on the table. "People, this isnothelping!"
I really wished I could learn how she did that.
"We—" noise of what sounded like a battle had all of us moving to our feet.
"Intruder!" Raasla yelled, looking at his comm. "It came from your ship," he glared at Xyrek suspiciously.
"Oh shit," a surge of heat rushed me, born from guilt. The drones. Vader and Maul, they must have done something. "I'm sorry. This is probably my fault," I said, running toward the cargo bay.
"Alice! No! Wait!" Xyrek yelled behind me, grabbing me by the wrist and pulling me back. "We don't know for sure."
"Know what? What did you do?" Zaarek accused, running by us.
Seconds later, we were all in the cargo bay, where everyone stopped dead in their tracks.
"Please, someone tell me that's not a Xenomorph?" Zoe yelled.
"Fuck me," Sloane pulled her blaster.
"What in the Black Abyss is that?" Noodar exclaimed.
"This is a creature no one has ever seen before. I'm standing here with five Space Guardians, and they are just as surprised as me." Nock had his comm pointed at the scene.
"Turn that off, Nock," Zaarek bellowed at the holostreamer.
