“Good or bad?” I ask.
“Whatever the outcome, yes. You are welcome to stay with us if this is their final mission. Let’s hope not. Please ensure you’re locked in. Amp, out.” The com feed closes.
Alerts fill my vision and the monitor inside the regeneration pod.
Portal Jump in 0:30. Short Range - Operational. Long Range – Disabled. Please secure yourselves and loose items.
I grab the handles inside the chamber and close my eyes.Please, let this work. Please don’t tear apart the ship.
Leaving Armor behind doesn’t give me good vibes. We need them with us, but there’s nothing I can do. I have to focus on what I am capable of.
A flash of blue glazes the back of my eyelids as the ship jolts. A ripple of cold air passes through me.
After a second to catch my breath, I look up and see the navigation in my suit.
Navigation… Location ID - Orbit: Ellipsis.
We made it?
My suit is quickly back to 100 percent, so I step out and make my way toward the cockpit. I want to be in on the action, find out where we’re at and what I can help with, when I encounter a squad of Titans in StarJumper suits heading into a nearby hangar.
“What’s going on?” I ask over helmet coms.
“Portal’s not responding to pings for startup,” Chaos says. “Not this one, the main one. They’ve disabled it or something. Sounds like it has taken fire.”
I throw my hands in the air. “Oh, come on, universe! This is bullshit!”
After a calming growl, I turn and sprint to catch up with the squad as another team merges with them.
“Esthi, you’re joining us?” Chaos asks.
“Sounds like I better.”
The Titan behind him nods, and I realize the Trio of Terror has separated and put on individual Starjumper suits. “Would be helpful.”
“Trio of Terror coming out to play?” I tease.
The third Chaos grins. “So good to stretch my legs again. All six of them.”
“Be careful!” Celeste calls after them.She waves at me. “All of you!”
Leah walks up to her. “Where are they going?”
“To fix the portal. Clover says it isn’t responding.”
“We fly, fight, and survive together,” the Titans say simultaneously.
Or die.I draw in a deep breath and take the tether one of them hands me. “I’m going to want some tools, too.”
Turbo motions me to a nearby storage cabinet. “I think we’ve got what you need over here.”
When he opens it, exposing racks and bins filled with parts and tools, I punch the air in joy. I definitely want to make itback to the BlazeStar. This ship is amazing. But I’ve got to get it somewhere safe first.
I grab what I need and point to additional items. “Bring those, if you can. We need to make this happen in one go, not multiple trips.”
Bomber reaches over Turbo’s head and collects a bag with wiring and circuitry. “I like your thinking.”
When the Titans are loaded up and we’re at the edge of the hangar’s platform, Chaos forms up on either side of me. The BlazeStar rotates until we’re a short jump from the portal’s framing.
I stare out at empty space, my stomach flipping.They can’t be serious.
“Together.” Chaos on my right offers me a hand. I take it as the Chaos on my left offers me one too. We form a chain. “On three.”
Fuck, fuck. Fuck!I’m not ready.
Deep breath, Esthielle. You can do this.Myria’s voice echoes in my memories.
Please find me again, Myria. Please stay alive, and I’ll do the same for you.
