Page 191 of Aviatrix

We exchange a look. That doesn’t make sense.

“They attacked… and then they left?” I whisper, trying to make sense of it.

“We’ll know more once we land at Camp Obsidian,” Jan says, motioning to the chopper.

“Thank you,” I tell her, wondering if we can really trust her.

She nods. “I made a promise to your father. I served under him once. He saved my career. Maybe my life.”

I want to ask what she means, but I’m too tired. All I want is to get home. To Mom. To safety, however fleeting.

Eli helps me into the helicopter.

I look back one more time.

Half the Pentagon still stands. The rest? Rubble. Fire. Dust.

My heart aches with Gary’s final words.

Tell my son I love him.

The tears fall hard, soaking into my shirt. A steady stream.

We’re already in the air. I didn’t even notice. All I feel is Eli’s hand in mine. And the weight of what we lost.

“Quay,” Eli whispers.

I sit up straighter, wiping the tears from my cheeks. “Yeah?”

“Look,” he says.

I swallow hard and turn to the door on our right.

VAL.

She’s flying beside us.

“Is someone flying her?” I whisper.

Eli shakes his head. “I don’t think so.”

“VAL!”

I’m here, Captain Kinley Quay, I hear in my head. I’m here.

I don’t know if I can hear her, or I’m just imagining it. Either way, she’s here.

I rest my head against Eli’s shoulder, my heart somehow both lighter and heavier.

Rourke is dead. So is Gary.

The aliens are retreating.

But why now?

And how many lives did they tear apart before they left us behind to count the dead?

FORTY