“Yep. You’re right.”
They both glanced toward the ship.
“Run?” Jack suggested. “I mean, as long as it won’t be detrimental to your delicate condition.” He started jogging.
“Funny,” Madelaine said, also picking up her pace. “Yes. Let’s run. I want off of this planet just as much as I wanted off Malvoraxis Veil. Well, not as much. At least on Keirios, this ‘vessel’ can talk and make noises without a death penalty for either of us.”
“Truth. Both are legit terrible places that I’ll never willingly return to.”
They jogged the rest of the way back to the ship without speaking, leaving them each thinking about possibilities.
Well, Madelaine was thinking about potential futures.
They fell into an easy pace, like they’d been running together for some time.
Had they ever run together? She didn’t think so, but maybe they would now. Paladin training certainly involved lots of running.
Madelaine didn’t even scold herself for thinking about Jack being in her life beyond this mission. Reality would unveil itself in due time. Maybe she’d allow herself to ponder what it might feel like if Jack remained her husband. When the time came to part, the only cost would be her own heart.
Within minutes, they were inside, secured behind the hatch and getting the ship ready for liftoff. The engines were warming and, best of all, they were safe, at least for now.
Madelaine settled into her seat and finally looked down at the package in her lap. Another clue. Another destination. Another world waiting somewhere among the stars.
Beside her, Jack strapped into the pilot’s chair. They took turns being pilot. It was nice to share the responsibility with him. Like they were partners. Again, at least for now.
“Once we get into the atmosphere, we can open the package. Fingers crossed that the next planet is normal.” Jack flipped more controls to life, getting the ship ready to fly.
Madelaine smiled as she tucked the unopened package in a cabinet next to the co-pilot’s seat so she could help him get them in the air.
“Well, no promises on that score. Besides, after everything we’ve seen and done so far? A normal planet might be boring. You don’t want boring, do you?”
Jack said, “Maybe just a little bit boring and maybe less impromptu fighting with a hoard of mercenaries?”
“Snore. Okay, fine. We’ll just have to see.”
And moments later, Jack took control of the ship and they lifted off from Keirios without incident—or any flight-grounding windstorms—climbing toward the stars.
Madelaine closed her eyes briefly as the ship rose. It was not lost upon her that eventually this trip had to end. This time with Jack was precious.
She should enjoy it while she could.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Once they were out of the atmosphere, Jack put the ship on autopilot. Madelaine grabbed the unopened package from the cabinet next to her and met him at the table. He couldn’t wait to see what was inside. Part of him was going to miss this adventure once it was done.
She placed the matte black shoebox on the table between them and pressed her thumb into the oval. After a second or two, the lid lifted. Together, they pulled it off.
Inside was another folded piece of parchment paper, along with what looked like a computer circuit board. It was slightly larger than his hand, and made out of a clear substance. Plastic? Or crystal? It was almost two inches thick. He’d never seen such a thick circuit board before.
“Where to next?” Jack asked, placing the lid to one side, his gaze on the circuit board.
“Let’s see.” Madelaine pulled the parchment out, unfolded it and spread it out on the table between them.
Jack listened as he pulled the circuit board out of the shoebox. Not only was it thick, it was heavy.What was this thing made of anyway, transparent lead?
“With this unique circuit card, you have now collected three items, including the blue stone and the petrified wood,” Madelaine read out loud. “The Paladin Courier has two more acquisitions to retrieve and a third destination to find before this task is complete.”
Jack nodded. “Good to know we’re halfway there.” He studied the “unique circuit card” with a bit of admiration. It likely had a high capacity.
