The Long Goodbye, Chapter Ten and Epilogue
27 Jan 2018Kyndi the Badass Space Chick
Well, if you've come this far you're probably wondering how this arc ends. Thanks for sticking it out. I know that this has been a little different than the style- smart, sexy, and smartassed- to which you may have become accustomed while reading Kyndi's logbooks. While they were a blast to write, said style didn't lend itself as well to a multi-character novella as it did short, sassy stories. I hope that I was able to capture the essence of Kyndi while adding the layer of gravitas for which the arc called. In the end, it's up to the readers as to if this story succeeded or failed.
Before all is revealed, I just wanted to take a moment to thank you for reading, and to also thank Marra, Jemine, and Cassius Fox for letting me borrow from their creativity and ideas. I also wanted to thank MMMMMalcolm, Tarm Wallunga, and Mack Winston for being so great to work with in leading up to this arc. Thanks for being part of this, guys!
Now without further ado, I give you the conclusion of The Long Goodbye:
Lehman awoke, in his bed and alone. The sheets beside him had been thrown back, and there was
no trace of Kyndi. He rubbed sleep from his eyes and reached out to his comm device, checking local
time. It was late, early evening by local time. No doubt his partner was still glued to her dataslate.
Well, who can blame her?
The man felt a twinge of guilt as he rose from bed. He’d wanted to have been there for her, to be
at her side as she explored her broken past. But he hadn’t. Instead he’d succumbed to his fatigue and
fallen asleep, leaving the woman alone.
There was no urgent need to leave, so the man pulled on a pair of flight trousers and collarless
shirt that buttoned on top, slipping his jacket over it. Like most vessels the Betrayal was naturally a bit
cold inside, by design and because a slight chill was more conducive to pilot awareness than comforting
warmth.
The living area was empty, as were the corridors. There was no noise, nothing that suggested the
presence of another human being on board the ship. Lehman chuckled.
Probably lighting up some o-head on the hangar roof like last time. It’s been awhile for her.
The man turned back, having a cup of coffee and pulling on some socks and flight boots. It was
an emotional time for Kyndi to be sure, and he still wasn’t certain whether being at her side or respecting
her privacy was the better course of action. But coffee in the morning always was.
Lehman finished the beverage, alone and with still no sign of his partner. He shook his head and
placed the mug in the washing unit. Kyndi was probably high. Or still glued to her dataslate. Or passed
out.
That woman…
For the rest of the chapter, click here!
For the entire novella, click here!