It's what the Terran Empire did, wasn't it? Taking entire worlds and systems and laying claim to them. It made her sick, realizing just how cruel her world--her father--could be. "We're like a virus. A plague on the galaxy. All we do is take and destroy. Make others conform to our standards, and if you don't, we wipe you out. The Terran Empire is the one that needs to be destroyed. Not you. Your people are just trying to survive," Eleanor said and wiped away her tears.
"There must be a way to bring it together without wiping out who we both are."
"I don't know. I can't imagine how. Not now. Your people likely hate my sister and me, and I wouldn't be surprised if something has happened to her."
"Something has happened. To all of you. It is just a matter of time to determine what happened to your sister and to Bahran."
Eleanor shook her head. "I just want my sister."
He put his arm around her. "I know. We will find her. I feel that this can be saved."
"Your optimism is appreciated."
He tipped her head up to meet his gaze. "I am here for you. I made you a promise, and I do not plan to falter."
She sighed. "Jedriek, I don't know--"
"No one does. Stop trying to predict the future. We are here. Now."
"I know. But my station, my father--"
"Is not here. We shall determine what will come of him and his opinions when the time comes. Right now, you have more important things to focus on. We need to check on Bianca and see what can be done to find your sister."
She nodded, a single tear rolling down her cheek.
Jedriek wiped it away.
"Thank you for wiping away my tear."
"I will always wipe away your tears."
About then, Veta came in. "Hey, is Freya in here?"
Eleanor pulled away from Jedriek and rubbed her face to hide the remnants of the tears. "No. I haven't seen her. I thought she was in her room."
"She's not. We can't find her."
Jedriek took a step toward Veta. "What about Kian? Is he here?"
Veta shook her head. "They're both gone."
Eleanor shook her head. "What is this nightmare?"
Jedriek put his arms around her. "We'll find them. They cannot have gotten far. And they're likely together, so Kian would be protecting her."
"But where could they have gone?"
"We will find them," Jedriek said.
She certainly hoped so.
There was no way that Eleanor was equipped to salvage any part of this mission without Caoimhe.
15
"So, what is the situation?" Eleanor asked. She had cleaned up, as had the rest of them to get settled, though it may have been the fastest cleanup he'd ever done.
Eleanor had been trying to gather her thoughts in the shower--he heard her talking to herself inside.
