I’ve seen Evo do some strange shit. “Just keep your signal open. Hopefully, they’ll find their way to you.”
Aegisrefuses Solcrue ships like mine in her hangars. I don’t blame her.BlazeStarhas been convinced with help from Clover and houses several Solcrue fighters. I’ve been allowed to dock there, but I need a ride toAegisto stay in the loop regarding Evo and Eon’s situation.
Fracture stays with me as we load into the RageBurner and leaveBlazeStar’shangar to regroup on the much larger Rogue Mothership.
“Evo is...unique.” Fracture is sweet as he tries to ease my concern. Raven remains in her junker’s ship out in the void,hoping for a sign of our Titans. She updates me as the signal fades in and out.
“I know,” I admit. “I’m just trying not to think about the possibilities. Would I be surprised if he was gone? No. Good things never last forever in this life.”
Fracture rests a hand on my shoulder as the RageBurner carries us out into space. “Well, we are glad you are here. That was some amazing flying. The more pilots we Rogues can get, the bigger our fleet can grow.
“We need numbers if we’re going to beat Solcrue. And if Evo does not come back, we will all protect you. Once you are a Brother’s mate, you become like a Sister. We will stand by you in honor of him.”
“Thanks, Fracture.” But that isn’t the only reason I’m concerned. Evo had the chips inside of him. And if he isn’t found, we may never be able to track down Xiphos.
Or worse, if the Solcrue got to him and cut them out...
No, I can’t think about that.I can’t stand the idea. Still, it threatens to make me break down in front of Fracture. I am barely holding myself together.
As we bank aroundBlazeStarforAegis, red alerts fill the cabin.
Dread sinks in my stomach. “What is it?”
Fracture steadies me with an arm. His eyes flash with data. He smiles.
The red alerts shut off.
“Fracture!”
He holds a finger over his mouth.
A familiar voice comes over the speakers as the RageBurner glides into a hangar. “RageBurner, Evolution on captured warship, Aidathrin. Eon is with me, and we found a CyberGuard. Paradox...”
Gunfire cuts through the transmission.
Evo laughs. “Are we good?”
“Fuckers do not like to die. There are always more and more and more,” a massive voice replies. “Yes. Now, we arecleansed.The ship is yours. I will empty the last bodies.”
Aidathrin looms into our space from a dark cloud of ink that slips from it like a cloak.
Eon’s voice comes over the speakers. “So while this is a useful find, it also means Solcrue have figured out how to make their own jump portals for ships of this size. They can be in our space in a very short amount of time. We are going to have to keep moving and stay alert from here on out.”
I’m so happy to hear Evo’s alive that I don’t care what we’re up against.
Chasm’s voice takes over the coms. “Let’s get everyone toAegisfor debrief. We’ll trade crews.AegisandBlazeStarTitans will trade out with those returning from missions to permit rest. And I want another jump within five, just in case Solcrue track our portal dust.”
Fracture gently punches me in the shoulder. “That’s us. Which means you finally get a break. Use your time wisely.” He dances his brows.
My pulse calms as Aidathrin closes in. “I’m starting to think you were all horny teenagers when you were made into Titans.”
“Many of us were,” a passing Relic unit named Scant replies. “Diesel is always on my case about my interest in females. But I can’t help it.”
“None of us can,” Fracture replies. “Someday, we will find mates, Scant. Just keep your head in this game right now, yeah?”
Scant grumbles. “Fighting is the only thing that makes me forget the emptiness.”
“I know, Brother.”
