Glorified babysitting was not how I’d expected my day to go, but that wasn’t why I continued to hesitate.
What if…
My maker softened, no doubt picking up on my concern better than I could articulate it.“I promise, I will contact you as soon as the battle is over.”
Thank you.
I could only manage a curt nod in reply, but when Micah immediately blasted me with additional comfort through our bond, I smiled gratefully at my mate. With directives clarified, I star hopped both the assets back to my ship—straight to my weapons room.
Which I apparently won’t be getting back anytime soon.
“I’ll get Pedro settled while you fly us out of here.” Micah flashed me a strained smile in a sorry attempt to disguise the anxiety I could feel pouring off him. “Help us, Space Daddy—you’re our only hope.”
I knew he was simply attempting to lighten the mood with aStar Warsreference, but his words felt like a punch to the gut.
My mate needs me to get him out of danger.
They both do…
The Lodger 79’s cloaking device was activated, so I wasn’t worried about the Irathians spotting us before we took off, but leaving the planet undetected could still be an issue.
Star hopping to the cockpit, I grimly assessed the battle already raging in the sky. Since Stellaria was a popular outpost, and most who stopped here were experienced—and bloodthirsty—enough to join the fray, there were a wide variety of aliens involved, making the situation even more chaotic.
I should be out there, fighting for my planet.
Not that I have the credentials…
With a scowl, I refocused on mydirectives, reminding myselfifPedro was the reason for this attack, getting them off my planet was as important a task as fighting Irathians in a Star Force squadron.
Even if it feels like running away.
After adjusting various controls, I eased the Lodger into ignition, hovering a few feet off the ground while I decided where to go.
Stellaria’s moons weren’t an option, since I didn’t want to compromise an established hideout, and the idea of potentially bringing the fight to a peaceful planet like Kaalaneseayet againleft a bad taste in my mouth.
The Irathians weren’t official allies of the Stellarians, but—until today—we wouldn’t have considered them enemies either. With this unprecedented attack, however, I was now questioning who in the galaxy we could trust.
What would Din Djarin do?
“Hey Zig!” Micah appeared so suddenly at my side, I wondered if he’d star hopped. “Is there areasonwe’re, um,notleaving the raging war zone?”
I huffed. “To be honest, sunshine, I’m not entirely surewherewould be safest for us to go.”
Past Ziggy wouldneverhave admitted he didn’t know what to do—and present day Ziggy still wouldn’t have uttered the words to anyone else but him—but this Earthling had somehow convinced me to let down my guard, almost from the moment we met.
Another impressive superpower.
The trust I had in my stellar collision was ingrained but also earned. Micah’s parents may have expected himto use his powers to ensureotherssucceeded, but he’d also never resented that assignment.
My mateenjoyedhelping others, was the kindest soul I’d ever met, and even once I dared to show him vulnerability, he never took advantage of what others—what I—saw as a weakness. With how his beautiful mind worked, he was more interested in focusing on solutions than problems, and there was nothing I admired in him more.
He probably already came up with a solution?—
“What if we went somewhere densely populated?” He shrugged and dropped his gaze, as if I might dismiss his input the way everyone else in his life had. “You know… hide in plain sight? I mean, only if you think?—”
I gripped his chin so he’d look at me, relieved he’d lowered his shield. “Must I remind you that you are mypartnerin all things, and that includes our missions?”
He averted his gaze again, and I frowned asuncertaintyflavored the air.
