Kaedren's jaw tightened, but he didn't argue. He understood.
"And if we go and it's legitimate, we win," Lyrin added. "Those women win."
"And if it's a trap?" Kaedren asked.
I looked at him. "Then we still showed up. We become martyrs if it comes to that. The fire still spreads. The corporations lose even if they take us off the board."
Kaedren held my gaze for a long moment. Then he nodded once.
"So we go," Torvyn said. "Are we in agreement?"
"I will get my teams prepped," Kaedren said.
"The medical bay will be converted into a triage center, and I will make sure our best medics are on the shuttle," Lyrin said.
"I will remain aboard the Starbreaker and prepare defensive countermeasures for a worst-case scenario," Vaelix said. "I will also ensure we have the most up-to-date intelligence on the colony's security posture before you launch."
"I will get a team of survivors together to greet the women we rescue. They've been through this and are ready to help," I said.
Torvyn nodded. "I will pilot the shuttle myself." He sent the Starbreaker's flight path to the room's viewscreen. "We will arrive in two hours. Be ready to go. Dismissed."
The ready room emptied quickly, everyone moving with purpose toward their stations. I was nearly to the door when Torvyn's hand caught my wrist.
He pulled me back gently, turning me to face him. The room was empty now, just the two of us, and the image of the colony was still glowing on the viewscreen.
He didn't say anything. Just drew me closer, his other hand finding the small of my back.
I let him hold me for a breath, then turned my head before his lips found mine.
"I don't need your sexy body to get me ready for this mission," I said, allowing a small smile to soften the rejection.
He exhaled, something between a laugh and a sigh.
I stepped back, breaking contact, and met his eyes. "We both need our heads clear for this. After. If we make it back."
He held my gaze. Something shifted in his expression. He understood what I was offering, and what I was asking for now.
"After," he agreed.
I turned and walked out, feeling his eyes on my back until the door sealed behind me.
The remaining survivors of our first rescue all volunteered to help meet the new women when they arrived. There was a buzz in the air when I told them what was about to happen, and everyone wanted to do whatever they could to help.
After that, I helped Lyrin get the medical bay transformed into a triage center, then we both made our way to the shuttle bay to get kitted out for the mission. Lyrin offered me a blaster this time, saying I'd earned it on the last mission.
I hesitated. Part of me wanted to take it. To feel less helpless if things went wrong.
"You're thinking about it," he said.
"I am."
"Then take it." He pressed it into my hands. "You don't have to use it. But having the option isn't weakness."
I looked at the weapon, then at him. He was right. I'd been so focused on what kind of symbol I wanted to be that I'd forgotten I was also a person who might need to defend herself.
"Okay," I said, clipping it to my belt. "But my words are still my primary weapon."
Lyrin smiled slightly. "I'd expect nothing less."
