Page 185 of Reaper Said Mine

Far below us, warning klaxons echo through the station.

A readiness drill.

Nothing more.

Even so, the sound sends a spike of anxiety through me.

Workers hurry across gantries. Fighters continue loading ammunition. Defense crews reinforce positions.

Everyone is preparing.

Everyone is waiting.

The sight twists something deep inside me.

"Horus IV started like this."

The words slip out.

Gnash immediately looks at me.

I rarely talk about Horus.

The memories still feel raw.

"I remember people saying nobody wanted war," I say quietly. "Everybody said things would calm down. I heard it over and over."

Gnash remains silent, listening.

So I continue.

"Then one day fleets arrived."

I swallow hard.

"The next day people started dying."

His hand presses more firmly against my back.

Protective.

Steady.

"I won't let that happen," he says.

The conviction in his voice should comfort me.

Instead it hurts.

I've heard powerful men make promises before.

Some kept them.

Most couldn't.

"You might not get a choice."

The words come out softer than I intended.