Kelta>>Local:…
She opens the channel, then doesn’t speak.
Armor>>Kelta: I have Thruster. He has overheated. Still registering a ping. I don’t know how long he’ll hold.
Kelta sniffles.
Kelta>>Local: Understood. Hang on. We’re entering space with the last mothership, and she’s a beast of her own kind.
Commander Savage>>Local: Seen it before?
Kelta>>Local: Unfortunately.
The silhouette of the vessel that I glimpse behind the BlazeStar, which thankfully sits near the portal, makes my core stutter.
Fighters spew from the sides in the hundreds.
Mace>>Local: Fucking hell.
Kelta>>Local: Someone, kick the damned regulator off this ship! I’m overtorquing this bitch, or we’re not going to make it to the BlazeStar before they do!
Fury hikes across the hull to the torque regulator on the engines and rips it free.
Kelta flies faster, but the ride soon becomes bumpy and rattling.
Mace>>Local: Why isn’t the portal opening? Why aren’t they through?
Commander Savage>>Local: Clover says the portal won’t open.
My ultromotor stalls for a beat. A terrible sinking feeling grips me.
I know where my beautiful mate is, and it’s the most vulnerable place to be in this battle.
There’s no one to save us now. We’re at the mercy of the Boltburner’s engines.
Commander Savage>>Local: I want all of you on fighters the moment we’re back on board. Protect the portal and Mother. Do not let the enemy through.
All of my Brothers click back except Thruster and Karambit.
My insides twist with fresh guilt and anger.
Commander Savage>>Armor: Do you comply?
I look down at my darkened Brothers and swear to them that they will be the last I permit to sacrifice themselves on my watch.
Armor>>Commander Savage: I comply.
