“What am I missing?”
“Isonians are in orbit. They’re trying to push the Denarsoan ships out of the system. Have you not seen the battles in the sky? Three Neb ships are on their way. We’re putting together crews as we speak.”
“Battles?” I look up. “I see only stars.”
“They are masked. The Nebs are looking for gifted creatures. We’re not sure what they want them for, but they’re hunting. That’s why they’re here and why they tried to take Tessi.”
“Tessi?”
“Zorin’s scent-bond.”
My chest tightens. “Fuck. What do they want her for?”
He sighs. “I’m not supposed to talk about it.”
“Sir. He’s my brother. We’re the last of our bloodline. Tell me. If he needs me, I need to be there.”
“No. I don’t want you anywhere near him.”
I slump against the tree. “What are you saying?”
“Azrim, everyone on the team knows you fractured when you lost Jezza. You’re unhinged. I can’t send you to ABR. You won’t clear psyche evals even here. I’m not risking an intergalactic incident just because you want...”
“With all due respect sir, Zorin lost Jezza too. He got to go. He found a mate. She needs to be protected. And fuck evals. We have been short handed for the last year.”
“They can’t bond.”
“I’m sorry, what?”
He groans. A chair squeaks in the background. “She’s…”
“What?” I practically shout at him.
“Half Isonian.”
I pull up the image of her in Zorin’s arms.They look so happy.
“Does he know?”
“Yes. But he’s staying with her anyway, on Viriden’s orders. The high council is considering revoking his citizenship. We have a relationship with the federation, but you know how closed-minded the old wolves are.”
My temples pound with rage. “Who gives a shit what any of us are when life is on the line? There will be no future if we keep kicking souls out of our lives just because we don’t follow the same belief system. Life doesn’t give adamn.”
“Iknow.” He clicks a pen. “I suggest you head home, get things ready to move, and secure the perimeter. They’re participating in ABR to keep up appearances and not worry the galaxy. But they’re going to be in danger as soon as they leave that complex.”
He tells me about the ghostwalker and how Viriden warned him about Tessi’s need to be protected. “So Isonians are watching the sky, but we have to keep her safe so they can focus. I’m just not sure we’ll be enough. The Aegeris loyalists are fewer in number every year.”
“Yeah. Either the empire kills us or the Lunas. Maybe it’s time we leave.”
“Don’t abandon us when we need you most,” he says.
“I mean all of us.”
Air rushes over the com, crackling the speaker. “It’s on MTF HQ’s desk. We’ve already been packing up to go mobile in case we have too much portal activity too close to the base.
“Just get home. Secure it. And be ready to leave the moment I call you. Nebs are headed this way. Get armed up soldier, and back on a secure com please.”
“This is secure.”
