It’s just adrenaline. That’s all. I’m fine. I’m fine. I’m fine, Jace told himself.
“That was incredible,” his father said as he came up to Jace and hugged him. He pulled back and said, “You weren’t kidding about the training. You moved so fast! Not to mention with so much skill!”
“Khoth’s really the skilled one, Dad. I--I’m maybe more programmed to do this stuff. He learned it all on his own,” Jace said, feeling terribly shaky like he needed sugar and wondering if there was any food on the Osiris. He saw over his father’s shoulder that Khoth was watching him carefully.
“Jace, that was…” His mother shook her head as she came over and embraced him too. “You’ve never held a sword in your life, but you used this one as if you were born with it.”
The pounding in Jace’s head increased. He could hardly hear her words over it.
I’m fine, I’m fine, I’m fine, he kept repeating.
“Well, son, that was some show of skill,” the general said as he hovered by his mother’s side. “He’s never held a sword before, Colonel Parker?”
His mother grimaced, but quickly hid that look of unhappiness. “No, there’s little call to have such a skill.”
“Especially as a store clerk!” the general chuckled.
Jace glared at him even as the whine of tinnitus started in his ears. “You’d be surprised at what a lowly store clerk has to deal with.”
The general actually smiled. “I wasn’t putting down being a clerk, but just comparing it to what one of our soldiers would encounter. The skills you’ve been given… well, imagine a whole army of people like you, Jace. We’d be safe from the Khul then!”
Jace frowned. “I don’t… I’m pretty sure it doesn’t work that way.”
There is only one pilot, the Osiris whispered in his head.
He, once again, looked over at Khoth. The Thaf’ell Commander had heard what General Intoshkin had said and the frown on his lips showed this was what he had feared would happen when he saved Jace’s life. Thammah and Gehenna were standing beside him. He should have wanted his parents right then when his body was malfunctioning once more. He should have wanted Gehenna. But… he wanted Khoth. This was the man who he had counted on before and he knew he could count on him again.
“Excuse me. I just want to congratulate Khoth again,” Jace said as he turned from his parents and the general.
He walked carefully as the pounding in his head and the whine in his ears was distracting as it always was. Gehenna was looking at Khoth’s exo-suit and examining the damage, making observations about the duel. Thammah was grinning at Jace, but her grin changed to a look of concern. That concerned look was mirrored on Khoth’s face.
“What is wrong, Jace?” Khoth asked him softly.
Jace licked suddenly dry lips. The sweat on his face felt cold and he shivered. “I think I need to sit down somewhere with some food and water. Could you--you find someplace for me to do that?”
Khoth nodded and put a hand around his shoulders. Jace leaned into that large body that he had just fought so hard against. He was grateful for that strength and size now.
“Just pretend we’re going to look at something in the armory,” Jace told Khoth.
“Jace, what is wrong?” Khoth asked again.
“Not sure. May have overdone it or something,” Jace said.
Gehenna was suddenly in his head, Oh, you need sustenance! Your body burned through your slender resources--
You mean the coffee and bite of toast I had this morning? Yeah, that feels like last year, Jace told her.
“I just need a brief moment without someone dying or something crazy going on,” Jace told Khoth as they moved into an adjoining room.
“What can I do?” Thammah asked.
“Get him food and drink,” Khoth stated.
She nodded and headed out quickly. Knowing Thammah, Jace bet she had snacks stashed everywhere. Gehenna hovered by them helplessly as Khoth helped him sit on top of a low cabinet. Jace put his face in his hands and rubbed his temples.
I’m fine, I’m fine, I’m fine.
“Why do you not want your parents or the general to know of your… condition?” Khoth asked.
