3
“We are making sure they land,” Jedriek said, over the private internal coms that connected the squad to one another. Linked through their neural net, as each team was, it helped them move as a unit in battle.
Wrathin, like the others, had taken up position around the Terran ship, protecting it from all angles. The Terran’s own one-seater fighter ships led, with the Rhimodian ships covering the rear.
“Arrive at housing,” Harbin replied. The leader’s ship shifted into a more protective configuration.
The rest of the ships shifted their wings, like a shield for the ambassador’s ship.
“This is a full escort, then,” Bahran said.
“Until they are inside, yes. Whatever it takes to create peace. If the Terrans want you guarding their door, that is what we will do, without question.”
Wrathin grimaced. Not what he thought the assignment was. “Did the protocol change?”
“Yes,” Harbin said. “Threats against the Terrans have emerged.”
“Well, at least you will have meditation time, Wrathin,” Kian said.
“You could use some,” Wrathin replied.
“Calm,” Harbin replied. “Keep sharp, everyone.”
“Do you suspect a trap,” Wrathin asked.
“I suspect everything,” Harbin replied.
Wrathin nodded. If Harbin thought they could be ambushed, there was a good chance it would happen. Harbin did not mince his words.
Wrathin hoped everyone else was ready. He tapped the control panel under his fingers. He flew the ship, mostly leaning forward against restraints. His cybernetics linked up to the vessel, the lysteel that comprised his suit also morphed into the ship, so he was part of the machine, more than just a pilot. Minimal physical movement was required.
Under his hands sat controls that allowed manual programming for the ships, but many of the actions were neural and simply required a thought-command that allowed the ship to restructure itself at any moment, for any need.
Thoughts that were not jumbled by emotional reactions.
A logical state enhanced the enhancements.
Did Wrathin still have emotion? Of course. He just worked to maintain it and keep it in the background, away from the cybernetics.
Unlike Kian, however, who felt no reason not to show his.
“Who is the ambassador?” Jedriek asked. “The Terran’s name.”
“Her Imperial Highness Princess Caoimhe London Montgale Bron,” Harbin said. “And her escorts.”
“Do they all have names like that?” Bahran asked.
“The Terrans like their titles,” Harbin replied. “We will make certain the Ambassador’s entourage is safely brought to Sol-3. No matter what.”
“Execute,” all of them said in unison.
He glanced at the large, Terran ship.
Calm. Maintain calm.
This was a simple task. A basic process that would require minimum effort to execute.
So why was his adrenalin pumping harder than it had been before when Kian was antagonizing him?
