Thruster shifts so he can get a better look. “By the shield, that’s an old SunFlux ship. The size suggests a FeatherLite model. Can’t say unless we uncloak it.” Holo gives him an odd look. “It’s not the one Savage and Leah found. That’s a SuperLite and still hidden in another mountain.”
I’m confused. “So you’re not all underground? You have more ships?”
Thruster grins. "You don't think we lived here for as long as we have without putting together the best armada we could do you?"
“Well, it seems like you have so little in the camps,” I admit.
“Have to move lots of bodies very fast,” Holo offers. “But there are a few of us without mates that live out here, just waiting for Savage’s signal.”
I sense the loneliness in his voice and rest a hand on his arm. “Holo, you will find someone. And even if you don’t or don’t want to, I’m glad you’re here.”
Holo rests a hand over mine and closes his eyes. “Thank you, Kelta. Sometimes, we feel forgotten.”
Thruster nods like he knows the feeling.
“You’re not,” I insist. “Rebels want to believe you’re out there. You give us hope. And now I know you’re real. All they need is to know you’re not a dream. You’re a reality.
"It's time we join forces again, for real this time. Not you beneath us. Together. Equal. Maybe we can help you since you're so much more capable."
“We do not have the same creativity as humans,” Thruster remarks. “You see possibilities we don’t.”
I shrug. “I guess. But that can lead to us going a bithaywireif we don’t have logic to tie us to reality. I spent a lot of time among the asteroids in my headspace. That can cause a lot of problems.”
Thruster draws me close, kisses my temple, and whispers in my ear. “We understand this more than you know. You can talk to me about anything you want…when this is over.”
I hug him, sensing Thruster’s not joining us on the ship.
“We should move. Savage is waiting.” Holo hustles out into the yard, rifle ready as he eases up to the ramp in the belly of the ship he plans to take. The platform lowers within a few minutes, and Thruster encourages me out to where Holo waits.
I check the yard and behind us as we cross the ground, feeling like someone is watching.
“What is it?” Thruster asks me.
“I hear something.”
Thruster looks skyward. “A drone?”
“I don’t know.” The light buzzing sounds like an engine but one I’m not familiar with.
Thruster kisses me hard. “Be safe. Stay with Holo.”
“I will.”
He steps out from under the ship, lights up, and rockets into the sky. Dust and hot air stir up in Thruster’s wake.
“Come on,” Holo says.
But when I see the black dots in the sky increase in numbers and Holo swears behind me, I change my plans. I run to the shielded ship, press a hand to the warm mirage, and hope the phrase my mother used to mutter works for the SunFlux. "Liberty, give me strength."
A pulse ripples through the shield. The mirage pops like a soap bubble.
Yes!
Inside the shield is the most beautiful ship I've ever laid eyes on. It's a wicked machine of clean black chrome and glinting ailerons that swoop front to back, making it look like a raven mid-dive.
A glass scanner lowers in the belly. Setting my hand on it makes it flash blue and a set of steep steps lower.
“Kelta, what are you doing?” Holo calls to me.
