She studied the dark landscape. It felt like her mood--dark and ominous. Everything was starting to feel awful, though she wasn't quite sure why. She could feel the descent as they headed down to land, the sensation bothering her more than usual.
They hit with a soft thud that jarred her.
On the ground outside, Eleanor could see other Rhimodians there, all suited up in their flight suits. There were other fighters on the nearby spaces, all lined up and ready to launch.
Though not a great deal of them.
Her stomach grumbled.
Jedriek glanced at her over his shoulder. "You are hungry."
It was not a question.
"Most likely," she said.
All she'd had was a few rations up to this point.
She rubbed her head. "I'm just ready for this to be over."
Jedriek turned and looked at her.
"This?"
She waved her hand. "The fighting and the near-death experiences. I'm ready to not be hunted or possibly attacked."
He nodded.
"I'm going to check on Bianca," she said and walked aft to see if Bianca was settled. They were going to have to move her again.
She hoped she was in better shape than she was before.
Eleanor paused just outside of the cockpit area. She knew in so many ways that she liked Jedriek. Like really liked him. And it wasn't just about the intimacy they'd shared. But she also knew the consequence of her station and what her father would do, were she to jeopardize that.
Even with peace on the table, Eleanor didn't think it would be enough of an excuse to bond with Jedriek. Not permanently.
What would he do if she did bond with Jedriek?
She shuddered, imagining what kind of punishment he could instill. If he was willing to have her surgically altered for a negotiation, what would he do now?
She had to stop this. She would make herself absolutely batty.
Regardless of her obligations when she got back to the Terran Empire, it did not mean she could not enjoy her time while she was here.
Everything depended on what happened in the next few days.
Would the Rhimodians want peace after this? If they're tactical, they probably wouldn't. The Empire literally destroyed the peace opportunity because neither party will advocate peace when one deceives the other.
She rubbed her head as the migraine started. Well, it tried to start, anyway. Almost like puzzle pieces being pulled apart, she felt the forming migraine begin to recede as soon just as it began to come together.
Odd.
Perhaps those nanites were working for her more than she realized.
She headed aft where Bianca was. In the light, she could see Bianca moving around and showing more signs of life. Her color was more regular and less pale. At least, Eleanor hoped that's what she was seeing. The lighting in the ship was far different from that on the ground. Bianca was moving more, that was clear. The repulsor bed, however, wasn't supporting her well.
"You look ready to take on the Charro on your own," Eleanor said.
She snorted. "You're funny. Wrong. But funny." Bianca turned to Harbin. "Should I try and stand? I think I might be able to," Bianca said, though as she attempted to push herself to a more upright position, she faltered.
