Fieri taps on the door frame with a can of wing grease. “You need a shine. We can’t have you going to the formal dinner looking like you just rolled around in the dust.”
I take the brush he hands me and begin spreading the oil on one wing while he does the backs. “It feels silly.”
“It makes you a symbol of power.”
“Why? Is my Inferno not enough?” I ask.
“It is the control that makes you more intimidating.” Fieri finishes one wing and moves to the back of the other.
“How is the colony?” I ask.
“Nebs are still advancing, no conflict yet, but everyone in the federation is on edge. Denarso are posturing nearby, likely waiting with scavengers to pick through wreckage.”
I don’t like that I’m stuck here. Every update I get makes me feel guiltier than the last. Tensions rise between the allies and the enemies, and I’m going to a fancy dinner to be tended to like a Talhuskin.
I don’t know if I’ll be able to shove any food inside me with all my disgust over the entire situation.
DIA shows Fieri something on a screen behind me.
“What is it?” I ask.
“Communications from Aura.” Fieri fixes my cloak. “You would be a disaster without me.”
“Fuck you, too,” I snort. “I do not care about pompous shit. It does not prevent my people from dying.”
Fieri steps in front of me. “I know you think that the only way to lead is to be the first to bash your body to pieces, fighting, and the last on the field to rescue whoever you can. But this shows you can be civil. That you are intelligent and a worthy adversary because you are not an animal. Are you an animal? Ademon?”
I open my mouth to respond, to deny it, but I’m still not sure.
“No weapons.” Fieri reaches down and steals the knife from my boot. Then he points it at me. “I do not want you to get kicked out. We need everyone on our side right now.
“Amphirans and Drathious are united in protecting Mindor and Alpha Prime. But we need Earth’s forces, Nytheralian, Alustri, Ferrim, everyone. Because when the Nebs take what they want and move on, it will be one of their worlds that we will move the fight to.”
“I know.”
“Fix your hair.”
I look at myself in a mirror and find my short hair is matted to one side. I spike it up with my fingers, and it stays. It’s much thicker than Brynna’s, and I already miss the softness of her.
Fieri keeps pace a half step behind me, one step to the side as we leave DIA behind and walk through the complex towardBrynna’s ship. Worry grows in me as this war closes in that Brynna may become collateral damage.
“I’ve got a project to work on. Will you help me?” I ask Fieri.
“What kind?”
“Something to help Brynna if anything should ever happen to me.”
He gives me a questioning look. “You better not be planning to do anything stupid.”
“Usually. But this is a backup measure. We’ll try it on you first.”
He makes a disgusted face.
“You’re really going to tell me you never dreamt of flying?”
“Oh. That’s what you meant? Wings?”
“Something like that.” We stop outside Brynna’s ramp. “I had planned to build some for my mate, but…you know.”
