Page 178 of Aviatrix

“I’m fine,” I lie. But Eli knows me better than that.

“Don’t let him get in your head,” he says gently. “He’s hurting. He’s scared. He’s pissed off. This isn’t about you. It’s about his choices.”

“Kind of hard not to take it personal.”

He betrayed me. He hurt me. He chose me when he should have chosen his daughter. He’s giving me whiplash.

“We’ll be there soon,” Eli says, changing the subject. “Think Atlas has figured out a way in yet?”

I inhale. “Probably.”

“Have you talked to them yet?”

I exhale. “Fox? Yes. He wasn’t part of it. Glitch? Also yes. We’re in a truce until this is over.”

“And Atlas?”

“Not yet,” I whisper.

I’m not sure I’m ready to hear why he tricked me into flying VAL. Especially when I would’ve volunteered in a heartbeat.

He’s hiding something. He has to be.

“Rourke still has a no-fly zone enacted over the Pentagon,” Eli confirms. “We’ll have to infiltrate on foot.”

“It’s never easy, is it?” I grumble.

“We’ll land at a nearby base, then hijack a vehicle.”

“We’re really defying more than one order today, aren’t we?”

“You know my motto.”

“Don’t ask for permission, only forgiveness,” I say with a smirk. “That doesn’t work for everyone, Eli. Just you.”

The General has to know we snuck out by now. Wouldn’t surprise me if he hasn’t alerted every base in the country. I expect to find a convoy with weapons raised when we land.

“What happens if someone stops us?”

“We’ll cross that bridge when we get to it,” he reassures me. “Let’s focus on the main issue. With the no-fly zone, we won’t have eyes in the air. We’ll have to do everything from the ground.”

“I could stay in VAL,” I suggest. “Keep her in Stealth Mode.”

“In theory, that could work. But when the alien ships arrive, VAL isn’t a fighter. She’s better hidden at a secure base out of Rourke’s reach.”

I swallow hard. I should tell Eli that she can become a fighter, but I don’t. Because VAL wasn’t made for that. And I won’t force her to become something she’s not. Not unless I absolutely have to.

“Good point.”

“The Colonel’s buddies can circle nearby,” Eli decides. “Hold back as many ships as they can while we’ll do what we can to get people out.”

“We’ll have minutes, Eli,” I say quietly. “Just minutes. We won’t save everyone.”

“You’re right,” he replies. “We need more birds in the sky.”

“Glitch and Fox are some of our best fighters. They should be up there.”

“What about Atlas?”