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"Yeah, that works," I said to myself. "As long as they actually believe it's us." I waved skyward for good measure.
A few others did as well. Since the Gamma didn't fire on us, presumably they knew we were friendly. Well, most of us anyway. E'rel had a way to go. He currently sat beside Brinley, close enough to touch.
They talked in low voices I couldn't overhear, but I wasn't trying hard.
I leaned against Danec again and he put an arm around me.
"I thought about you," he said softly. "Every time I was able to think for myself. Sometimes the bots were listening for orders, or waiting. Then, it was like they looked away for a moment. I wanted to run away from them, but I couldn't move unless they wanted me to. I was…" He sniffed.
"I know," I said softly. I didn't really know, but I could imagine how it might feel to be stuck in your own body. It sounded pretty shit, to be honest.
"If there's ever anything I can do to help you," I said. "Anything to get you through the pain."
"Just be here," he said. He leaned in to press a soft kiss against my mouth. "That's all I need."
"I can be here," I said, "as long as it's not here. Anywhere but this planet."
He gave a short, bitter laugh. "Yes, anywhere but here would be great."
"Very great," I agreed. I glanced up. "It won't be long now." I wasn't sure I wanted to be on another ship, but if it meant escaping Tarathu, I would take it.
I took a breath and got to my feet. Danec stood beside me, with Slek on the other side. After a moment, J'avet joined us and Zarex a hair behind him.
At that moment, I realised something. It was almost over. Everything we'd gone through since Danec and I met, all the craziness and heartbreak. The separations and worry. I wanted to cry, or get really, really drunk. Maybe both.
We stepped back to give Gamma more room, even though she had plenty. She kicked up a bunch of dirt and wind as she lowered her struts and landed in the field. From here, she looked huge.
I suppose she was, compared to me. I didn't mind feeling small, she would have to evacuate a lot of people from the planet. We'd be lying on top of each other, so to speak, but I don't think anyone would mind too much. At least for the first while.
Gammasettled on the ground and a ramp lowered slowly. When it was in place, the door slid aside.
As expected, several security officers stepped out first, blasters in hand. Those were lowered when Tarvun walked forward, followed by Rayax. The 'specimens,' as Yinika had called them, must have seen the ship and hurried out from wherever they'd hidden. The forest nearby, perhaps.
"Come on," J'avet said. Where once he'd have strode on ahead, he now waited for the four of us to move forward with him. Or he wanted us there to hide behind, but I didn't think that was it.
Marshall nodded to us when we drew close enough. "I see you succeeded at your mission," she said.
"Yes, we did," J'avet said. "I see the IF had enough faith in us to hold off on the attack for a while." His expression was as bitter as his tone.
Marshall shrugged. "The order came from above me. I told them to stop when I heard your voice. I wasn't sure they would listen. Lucky for you, they did."
"Lucky for all of us," I said dryly. "The IF would have killed a lot of its own people."
"Yes," Marshall replied. "They gave me an hour to evacuate the planet before they resume firing. They don't want to leave any chance of the nanobots becoming a problem in the future."
I didn't think they would be, but I said nothing. It wasn't like I would be listened to anyway.
The IF would do what the IF did, and I would have to do what I did.
In this case, that was to ask, "Please tell me you have coffee on board."
