Blaize gives me an odd look, like I picked a crazy one.
“Clean water isn’t free where I’m from.” Jovie squints at Blaize. “It is precious to me. And for the other thing— A salt and grain human is a good human that will beharvestedby the system so that others can live. Generally, it’s what we call the people who work hard and die so the next generation can work hard and die. The grain seeds itself, but it can never become anything other than grain without the hands of another to mill it, mix it with other ingredients, and turn it into food. They are just the grain that reseeds the fields.
“My father was a farmer. My mother was a piece of shit whore. She left us when we were kids for a younger guy who was always high and lived in a van. Came from a long line of gypsies.”
“Your father?” I ask.
“Died a few years back.” Jovie looks away like she doesn’t want to talk about it. “Anyway, I’d like to help if I can.”
Blaize squints down the hallway. “Ah, damn it.”
Fieri appears beside Eluni. Jorusk isn’t far behind but fidgets with the ABR-branded band around his wings.
“Allele kicked us off the ship and departed with the others,” Fieri reports.
“You’re kidding,” Eluni gasps.
I ignore them as I pull out my chip case and apologize to Jovie. “I am sorry our first night together has turned out this way.”
“Most excitement I’ve had in a long time.” Jovie shrugs. “What the hell would we talk about if not the war? How you get so muscled? Or how your heart doesn’t stop when you have lightning shooting from your fingers? I would like to know what your family is like and what you’d expect of me if we last the week. But seriously, I feel less awkward working than sitting and trying to figure out what to talk about.”
She has questions for me, and I want to answer them, but I have to sort out this situation first.
An orange male with brown plates of armor over his shoulders eyes Jovie from the bar. I corral her closer and give him a death glare. “We will talk soon. I just need to check on something.”
“Okay.” Jovie notices the male watching her and eases a step further behind the shield of my body.
My Storm tingles in my spine with validation. My female feels safe with me. I don’t think she understands the importance of her small gesture.
I slide the chip back into my augment.Allele, what’s going on?
I want you to stay. You have found your mate. But you must have your guards, Prince Aurelius.
Allele, this seems a bit extreme. I am a Rogue. I should be protecting my people, yet you take off and leave us stranded?
I’m in orbit, running long-range scans. I cannot complete them inside. Fieri is not listening to me. He argues. But he cannot interpret the data the way I can. He says the Denarso want to destroy us. That they are working with the Nebulous Empire. But I know the Nebs have attacked the Denarso, recently. And there’s somethingspecial about the three vessels they attacked. They’re science-focused motherships, where we primarily make and store our medicines.
Allele, I think you’re onto something. A friend I just made said his people were attacked over food. We need to call them, the Denarso, and make an offer.
You are in no position of authority. We have all been blocked from access to the fleet.
I cover my mouth with a hand, so Jovie and the others won’t see my disgust.All for showing my Storm and standing up to my father?
None of your crew regret leaving to follow you.
How do you know?
Just because I have not always spoken to them does not mean I have not listened or continue to do so.
So we’re stuck here? Amphir Fleet won’t let us in? And I just have to pretend I’m helpless?
Until ABR security determines the situation is stable and patrol ships are allowed back inside, yes.
The com feed quiets.
“Telepath Linx?” Jovie eyes the side of my head with interest. “Cool. Who were you talking to?”
“My ship. She has a Storm like us.”
