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“It’s okay,” I say, continuing my way up to the entrance.
“I told him he’s not coming with us, and he flipped out,” she explains. “I knew this would happen.”
“He thought you’d let him come with you… into battle?” I ask. “Where’d he get that idea?”
“Oh, I don’t know… following in my own rutting footsteps. Seeing as I lied about my age to sign onto a crew that was doing Azza raids when I was just a passing older than he is now.” She presses the heel of her palm against her forehead. “Walked my ass right into this argument. And I feel bad. That’s the ridiculous part. I know exactly how he feels right now.”
“You’re making the right choice,” I say. “It might feel like shit, but I swear he’ll learn that you were right one day.”
“He’ll be the death of me, that one,” she mutters, tugging on the end of her massive braid.
“Can I help? I could try to talk to him. It might not do any good, but—”
Rossa turns to me with a look of guilt that seems out of place on her face. I’ve become more accustomed to her harshness— determination, finality, certainty. A lack of confidence doesn’t suit her.
“I was going to ask you for a favor.”
“A favor? You saved my life. Nothing you ask of me would be a favor.”
“Will you take Raffa to your colony? Once he gets over it, I’m sure he’ll be a great help. He can be a farmhand. He knows a little bot maintenance, so he could support you that way too. Earn his keep—”
“You want him to come live with me?” That was the last favor I was expecting to come out of Rossa’s mouth.
“Would it be too much of a burden? The boy eats his weight in food at every meal. I can give you a lump cash sum, but unfortunately, I don’t want to have any bank transactions connecting the two of us. It’s dangerous to be associated with me. But he cares about you, so he’ll put in the work.”
As she tries to convince me, I’m still picking up my jaw.
“Don’t you think it would be easier for him to stay here and be with his own people?” I ask.
“I’m afraid to leave him at home. He’ll be one of the oldest boys left with our elderly and the mothers with young children. He’s a good boy, but I don’t want him to be bitter. I don’t want him to do anything stupid, and worst of all, I’m afraid that not even theRightful Heirwill be safe during this war. They’re talking about putting it on lockdown, as in no one flies in or out until the danger has passed. After all, we thoughtMakiva’s Revengewas safe before and then tragedy struck. There are others leaving their children with friends that live deep into Alliance territory.”
“What do you think he could possibly do?” I ask.
“What I would do. Steal a ship. Lie about my age. Hide myself in one of the other war machines… Make my way to frontlines any way I could.”
“Rossa,” I groan. “You’re a terrible influence.”
She lets out a flat laugh. “I know. I don’t make for a motherly sister, but it works out fine most of the time. This is different. He will survive to mating age if it is the last thing I do in this universe. There’s no telling how long the fleet will need to stay engaged out there. We’re talking about stocking up rations for a passings-long standoff. I know it’s just a precaution, but thinking about being out there that long made me realize that Raffa can’t stay here onThe Heir. He’ll be mating age, and he should be free to pursue an education, or a job, or some other thing he dreams up.”
“And what if he comes of age and wants to follow you then?” I ask.
Her mouth wobbles. “Do your best to talk him out of it, okay? For me?”
My throat closes up like I’m going to cry, so I nod silently and push the emotions down.
“Listen to me talking like you’ve already accepted,” Rossa laughs.
“I would be honored to take care of your brother,” I tell her. There’s no reason to think this over. I’d do anything to show my gratitude to her, and Raffa is a sweetheart. She’s right; he might be miserable at first, but he’s young and full of life. In fact, he might be just what Frankie and I will need to chase away the dark distractions in our own minds.
The captain throws her arms around me in a fit of relief.
“You don’t know what trouble you’re in for,” she jokes. “But I’ll never forget this. Thank you.”
For the first time in quite a while, the future seems like somewhere I’d like to be. I’ll take care of Frankie, and she’ll get strong again. We’ll return to the peaceful quiet of EC-12. I can rent Raffa an airbike with my savings, and he’ll be free to roam the planet when he’s done with his chores. I can picture it all, a happy life on the farm and two people I love to pour my energy into. But that can only happen if Frankie wakes up soon. If there’s a lockdown, and I can’t take her with me, what am I supposed to do, then?
CHAPTERFIVE
KALLA
