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Chapter 12

“I won’t miss you.”Rexx grabbed Hunter in a bone-crushing hug. “You always were a pain in my butt.”

“Right back at you, big guy.” Hunter slapped him on the back and stepped away. Everyone had turned out to see him off. Everyone except the one person he wanted to hold just one more time and tell her he loved her.

“Give them hell out there.” Striker patted Hunter’s shoulder. “I sometimes miss a good fight.”

“You’re not going anywhere near the frontline.” Wren wrapped an arm around Striker’s waist and pulled him close.

“Not anymore, I’m not.” Striker grinned down at her. “My place is right here. You’re my home.”

Hunter looked away as their show of affection laid bare just what he was losing. His gaze cut to the entrance of the docking bay. He had to see Cleo one last time.

After she left him last night, all he could think about was her and the gentle way she’d kissed him at the door. It had been her goodbye gift to him. He’d felt it in that last kiss, before she’d walked away. Even though he’d told her otherwise, Cleo was certain she’d never see him again.

“We got you something.” Daisy stepped forward, a small box in her hands. “It’s from all of us.”

“Thanks. You didn’t need to do that.”

“It was Rexx’s idea,” she said.

Hunter eyed the box with suspicion. “It’s not going to explode, is it?”

“As if I’d waste good explosives on you,” Rexx said. “I figured you could use this where you’re going.”

“He spent all of last night working on it,” Daisy said.

“I helped too,” Ash said.

“You got in my way while I was trying to shine it up,” Rexx grunted. “It’s nothing. It was just lying around and needed a home.”

Hunter eased open the box. Inside was a shiny metal knuckle duster.

“It comes with claws,” Daisy said.

“Retractable spikes,” Rexx said. “Hit the button on the side to get the add-ons. It’s tracked to your fingerprint, so only you can activate it. It could be useful if you meet any aliens who don’t want to come quietly.”

Hunter eased the metal knuckles over his fingers and flexed. “It’s a good fit.” He pressed the button with his thumb and three thin blades shot out.

“They work on compression,” Rexx said. “Aim, punch, and the enemy dies. Where you’re going, you might need it.”

“Thanks. I’ll take care of it.”

“Use it. And don’t get yourself killed,” Rexx said.

“That’s the plan.” Hunter stored the gift in his pack. “Thanks, everyone. I don’t deserve gifts.”

“Bull crap. I can’t believe High Command did this to you,” Ash said. “You should be right here, working with us.”

Hunter’s gaze cut to the door again. “I had to do it. They’ll find another Apexian to replace me.”

“I doubt Cleo agrees with that,” Georgia said as she leaned against Ash.

“She’ll be fine. She can look after herself.”

Georgia rolled her eyes. “Whatever you say.”

“An Apexian troop ship is incoming,” ELVIS said. “Docking in five minutes.”