"You sound confident of the future," Jedriek said.
"If we all get through this, then I'm pretty sure any rules will be thrown out, and everything will start over. Then you two can figure out what you want to do."
"If she wants--"
Jedriek would have said more, but a panel lit up.
Communication came through to the ship.
He glanced at Wrathin, and Wrathin nodded.
"Transport. Transport. You're off your projected battle route."
Jedriek shut off the answer.
"I got this," Veta said.
She cleared her throat and opened the channel. "Yes. Um, hostiles. Everyone's hurt or dead. There were so many of them! They were, uh--" Her voice was different, almost child-like when she answered.
"Who is this? What's your call sign?"
"Ensign Leese,"
"Where's you're commanding officer, Leese?"
"There was an attack on the surface. I'm just. We're trying to get away."
"Roger. Head to these coordinates, and we'll determine what air support you need."
"Thank you!" she said and flipped off the switch.
Jedriek raised his eyebrow.
Wrathin glanced at the listing. "You got their battle hub."
Veta smiled. "And we know where to return fire."
"Impressive."
She shrugged. "It's what I do. Now, avoid those coordinates, and let's get back to Freya and Kian."
Jedriek adjusted the course and moved toward their destination.
They were getting much closer to the Rhimodian landing zone, and he wondered if there were any Terrans on Sol-3. It seemed they were on every other world, from what Wrathin had mentioned. They must be here as well.
At least, now they had a position for them to focus their attack.
He had to admit, Veta was very good at what she did.
14
Eleanor stepped into the cockpit. She'd felt the ship starting to go down. Out one of the side windows, she saw the mostly black moon they were heading for. It indeed was dark and depressing looking. Certainly not what she would choose for a homeworld. Bursts of red popped up around the black, and even from orbit, the power of the volcanoes could not be denied. Venturing down into the dark clouds, she found herself wanting to hold her nose because she anticipated the burnt smells that she imagined accompanied such a dark world.
Jedriek sent out some kind of coding to the Rhimodians.
"Did you tell them?" Wrathin asked.
"I just sent the beacon."
