Chapter 10
Going to Mars
As I stride into thecave, Tilly’s fresh, citrusy scent hits me and for a moment I can only stare at her sleeping form lying on the mattress. I check the status of her bots. Before I’d left tonight, I’d configured them to release a sedative to keep her sleepy.
The back of an arm rests against her forehead, and KJ has moved to her feet, his tail twitching as he dreams.
No matter where I’m at, Red, with you at my side, I’ll always be home.
I order the carriers to enter stealth mode and continue patrol of this area indefinitely. I don’t know if we’ll ever return, but if so, I’d rather not come back to everything trashed or stolen.
Carrier 3425: If intruders are caught, shall we kill on sight?
Me: What? No, no kill command unless that’s the last option. I’d prefer your unit to remain out of sight unless it’s impossible. Just deter wanderers from being too nosey. Don’t show yourselves unless it’s unavoidable. All I need is another group of my mom’s cronies or suspicious Henokans finding this place.
Carrier 3425: Affirmative.
I grab Tilly’s backpack and shove things inside I know she’ll want, like her diaries, a spare set of clothes, and her favorite books. I then grab my own knapsack and do the same.
“You said you didn’t want to set foot on another Baltin ship, so problem solved.” She’ll be going to Mars on a Henokan craft, which should make her ecstatic since she’s trained on flying the warship.
And it’ll be a great peace offering because she’s going to be so pissed when she wakes.
I shove the full bags into a carrier’s hands. “Take those to the skirmisher.”
He nods stiffly, then leaves.
I bend and pet KJ’s head. “You ready to be the first dog to set foot on Mars?”
He yawns and gives a sleepy woof.
He looks so much like Kodiak that my heart tightens. I miss that crazy dog. I probably carry more empathy and love for him than I do most people.
“Well, there’s no more putting it off, bud.” I scoop Tilly’s sleeping form into my arms and stand, then look down at the little puppy. “Follow me, KJ.”
“Woof.” He stretches his body, then wags his stumpy tail.
As I cradle Tilly to my chest and jaunt through the opening of the cave, I turn and give one last glance to what has become her home...and mine.
I’m doing the right thing, aren’t I?
Yes, this is the only way I can protect her and the baby.
For some reason, I imagine Sparky shaking his head.‘Is that what you’re doing? Or are you running away?’
I slam a lid on that voice and frown. “I’m taking care of my family the best way I know how. Tilly will forgive me.”
I hope.
****
AN HOUR INTO THE JOURNEY, as the moon flies past the cockpit, I send a message to Tilly’s bracelet to bring her awake.
Since there’s no need for me to physically steer the craft since I can control everything in my head, I give KJ a pat and set him on the floor.
“Well, boy, it’s about to be time for my ass to get handed to me.” With a heavy sigh, I walk to the small cot at the back of the ship reserved for emergency medical care.
KJ lets out a small yip and follows, his hind legs trying to catch up to his front paws. Instead, his uncoordinated body sends him into a rolling tumble.
