So, Synara wanted to know why he'd said what he'd just said. His face a stark shade of red, he gawked at her, rigidly surprised. She was still upset about conniving Kragen Gorr and his insidious plan to hijack the Colossus. After taking in the Quarren pirate captain, and his motley crew, this was the thanks Captain Doza had received. She was furious with Gorr. He'd said she was like a daughter to him. That was slander now; she didn't want to be his daughter. She never wanted to see Kragen again. Looking Kaz in the eye, she wouldn't tolerate what he'd said. She couldn't let it slide. He gestured with his hands, hoping his makeshift sign language could distract her. His antics didn't work. "I didn't mean anything by it. C'mon—you know I'm no good at thinking before I speak."
"Do you really believe I'd be so disloyal? Seriously! I had no idea Kragen would betray a trust. He schemed capturing the Colossus behind my back. I was in the dark about his whole plan. To even suggest I knew anything about it is an insult." Kaz shrank under the weight of her tenacious scrutiny. Disgusted, Synara swiftly turned away from Kaz, not allowing him to see the hurt and outrage on her face. Abandoning him was the only thing on her mind. We're no longer friends. She walked off, hurrying away down the hangar hallway.
"Synara—Synara—hey, come back! I was joking—honestly! Can't you take one? I know you weren't in with your former friends. I'm sorry! I'm sorry!" Desperation spiked in his voice. "We're still friends—right? You're one of us now. Believe me I know it took a lot to turn your back on them to side with us. Why—why are you walking away? Synara, I care about you." I thought she had more of a sense of humor than this. "Okay, we'll talk more later. See you…uh…" He watched her stalking off. Words shriveled in his throat. He pinched the bridge of his nose, feeling an acute sense of loss seize him. This'll blow over, wait and see. She won't stay mad at me. Not after everything we've been through. This rift having opened between them had the malice of a bad dream.
But he wasn't floundering in a fantastical never-never land. He was wide awake, having shoved his foot into his mouth, and had roughhoused with a good friend's integrity. He thought about Yeager, and the choice he'd made choosing Neeku over him for undermining Kragen's dangerous plot. Neeku's more of a spy than I am. I can see me now…screwing up the entire masquerade. I would've handed the Colossus over to Kragen instead of keeping the station from him.
Kaz stuck his back up against the corridor's wall, and slid down to the deck. He dropped his head and covered it with hands. His skin felt warm to his touch. There was a faint ringing in his ears as his head felt increasingly heavier. His throat was sore; his sinuses were congested. Had he picked up some new infection? He hoped to the Outer Rim that he hadn't. Being sick now couldn't come at a worse time. Doza, Yeager, everyone here needed him healthy. He owed them all a debt, and he couldn't let them down.
He picked himself up, and didn't feel as lightheaded once he stood upon his feet. As soon as I straighten this silly misunderstanding out with Syn, it'll all be good again. It's got to be. She's too great a person to alienate. I won't have her not being my friend anymore. I can't let that happen. It's not going to happen. It's not. I may not be the greatest spy, but I sure know what it means to not to lose a great friend.