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There was that wall going up around Daisy again.

Rexx forced down his frustration as he watched it slide into place. Why was she so concerned that the Gente had chosen her specifically for this implant? They wouldn’t have targeted her. It was just lousy luck.

But he’d triggered something by telling her about the implant growing. Her expression had blanked, and she’d turned away from him. She was still distanced from him, looking out into space. Her mind was somewhere else. Somewhere dark that scared her so badly she’d shut down. She was lost in a memory that stunned her into silence. It was something so painful and deep that it cut through her like a knife.

Rexx knew how that felt. He also knew he’d yet to find a way to fix that problem.

He focused on the controls as they flew through space. One thing he was certain of, Daisy wouldn’t be like him, twisted and broken and always hurting. He’d make sure that didn’t happen. He didn’t know how he’d do that, but he’d make her smile again.

“We should get it out,” Daisy said abruptly. “Angel’s got this wrong. It can’t be that difficult. She’s worrying about nothing. You do it. Cut out the implant.”

Rexx jerked back in his seat. “I’m not cutting you. I’m no medical expert. It would kill you.”

“You don’t know that. Do it now, before it gets worse. We have medical supplies on board.”

“Daisy, no! I’ve got a base we’re going to. And I’ve put out feelers with medical experts. When I find one who can help us, I’ll take us there. Until then, the implant stays where it is.”

“What if it kills me before we find a solution?”

It was something he’d considered for hours before making his move. “It won’t.”

She hissed out a breath. “I’ll do it myself if I have to.”

“No, you won’t. We’ll do this the right way. The way that makes sure you live.”

Daisy let out a frustrated sigh. “You just kidnapped me from the Apocalypse. We’re not doing any of this the right way.”

“That was different. I had no choice. Once you were in the hands of High Command, I’d have had no control of the situation.”

“This hardly feels like we’re in control,” she mumbled.

“Incoming message from Cleo,” the ship’s computer said.

“Ignore them,” Daisy said. “They’ll insist we go back.”

“We’re not fighting against them,” Rexx said. “I told them what’s happening. They’ll understand.”

Daisy scowled at him as he activated the comm link. “Go ahead, Cleo.”

“Rexx, what are you doing?” Cleo’s voice was full of concern.

“I’m not letting High Command take over. Daisy doesn’t need that. She’s done nothing wrong. They’re punishing her for no reason.”

There was a sigh over the comm link. “Come back. We’re on your side. I’ll make sure High Command don’t do anything dumb.”

“That’s not happening. I don’t trust them.”

“Neither do I,” Daisy said. “I wouldn’t have gone with them.”

“Daisy, you have to understand why they’re concerned. They want what’s best for the crew,” Cleo said.

“And I want what’s best for Daisy,” Rexx said. “Handing her to them is the wrong thing to do.”

“I get it. I wasn’t happy when they issued the order. I thought I’d gotten through to them, made them understand we could deal with things,” Cleo said.

“And I appreciate what you did, but they’re still not having Daisy,” Rexx said.

“We’re not coming back,” Daisy said.