“No. The Terrans blew them up.”
She blinked. “So, we cannot escape?”
“I would imagine so. They know I am here. I assume they are looking for you and I. I do not understand why they want to kill their own people.”
Unfortunately, she could figure it out. “Collateral damage. They can shape the narrative about what happened. Tell the people anything they want—that we were attacked and killed by the Rhimodians in a deception. It would make the rest of the Terran Empire cry out for an increase in war efforts.”
“What is stopping the Terrans now?”
“The Senate. They are ready for peace. There is, as your people know, a great financial burden to war. It can absolutely destroy a faction. And the Terran Empire is feeling the pinch of spending a decade at war.”
“But why do you not call for peace sooner if your people want peace?”
“Because the Emperor does not. He does not like to lose. And for him to say he wanted to stop the fighting, that would be, to him, a sign of weakness. To bow down to your people.”
“So why are you here?”
“Because the Imperial Princesses are determined to stop this. They have wanted to end the war for years, but they were never in a position where they could do it.”
“And now they are?”
“Now, Caoimhe has the backing of the Senate. And she has the voice that people want to hear.”
In her mind’s eye, she saw the princess’s speech she made a few weeks ago. The clear, concise way she spoke to her subjects. So much like her mother. Whether the Empire remembered Fallon or not, they listened to Caoimhe.
And that was enough to convince her father to let her try and bring an end to the war.
“She is the future of the Terran Empire,” Bianca said.
“And the Rhimodians, as well.”
Bianca glanced at him. “Yes. The future of the Rhimodians as well.”
Her stomach grumbled.
He shifted, pulling away from her. “Are you well?”
“Fine. That was my stomach. I am just hungry.” She blinked. “Do you not get hungry?”
“We need nutrients. We just do not make those noises.”
“Lucky you.”
“Do you require food?” he asked.
She nodded. “Eventually, yes. There are rations on my escape pod. Veta made sure to pack the escape pods with everything, just in case.”
He glanced toward the entrance, then back at her.
“Want to trek down to the ships and get the supplies?”
Not really, she thought. It was cold out there. But at the same time, there was a nagging in her gut that said she needed to go with him and see.
See what, she wasn’t sure.
But there was certainly something she needed to see.
14
