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“My ride’s here,” Hunter said. “You all behave yourself once I’m gone. And no messing with Cleo. She’s the boss. What she says goes.”

Wren and Daisy both hugged him, Sloane gave him a kiss on the cheek, and even Georgia gave him a swift hug.

They all turned as the Apexian transport ship slid through the force field and landed on the launch pad. It was a large, flat black troop ship, made for speed and efficiency. There’d be no luxuries on board.

Hunter looked at his friends. His body ached at the thought of leaving them. He didn’t want to go, and he sure as hell didn’t want to leave Cleo, not now she’d finally let him in. But this was the decision he’d made, and he wasn’t going back on it. Cleo had to stay on the Apocalypse, and that meant he needed to leave.

The docking ramp of the ship descended. A few seconds later, an Apexian in a combat uniform stepped out and looked around. His gaze settled on Hunter as he stepped forward. “Hunter D’ahar?”

Hunter saluted. “Yes, sir.”

“At ease. I’m Lieutenant Zabab. You’ll be reporting to me from now on.” He acknowledged the rest of the crew with a swift nod. “There’s been a change of plans. We’re heading to our next assignment, so there’s no need to go to the wait point in Quadrant B.”

“They’re sending you out so soon?” Wren said. “You’ll have no time to settle in and meet your new troop.”

“That’s what happens sometimes,” Striker said quietly. “War doesn’t wait for the soldiers to get their feet under the table.”

Hunter picked up his backpack and slung it over one shoulder. He turned to his teammates. “Don’t miss me too much.”

There was another swift round of hugs and fist bumps.

As he walked toward the ship, Rexx fell into step beside him. He reached up a large hand and gripped the back of Hunter’s neck. “We’ll keep an eye on Cleo for you. Everyone knows she’s your woman. We also know this is a shitty thing to happen to you.”

“Thanks, buddy. But it had to happen. It’s for Cleo. You know what it’s like when you find the one.”

Rexx glanced at Daisy, and a softness hit his gaze. “I sure as hell do. I’d tear the world apart to keep Daisy safe. Cleo will be fine.”

“That means a lot.”

Rexx nodded and stopped as they reached the docking ramp.

Hunter looked back at the door leading into the docking bay, and his heart froze. Cleo stood there, her arms loose by her sides. Even from this distance, he could see how pale she was. He took a step toward her.

“We need to leave now,” Lieutenant Zabab said.

Hunter glanced at him. He looked back at the door, and Cleo was gone.

“You’re good. She’s good. Get on that ship,” Rexx said.

An ache cut through Hunter’s heart as he turned away from his friends, the woman he loved, and the home he’d had for over a year, and stepped onto the transport ship.

“Leave your pack in the equipment store, then strap in,” Lieutenant Zabab said.

“Yes, sir.” Hunter moved mechanically as he stowed his pack, and then found a spare seat alongside the dozen other Apexians on board.

Most of them simply glanced at him, then looked away.

Hunter didn’t care if they were unfriendly, since he wasn’t in the mood for conversation. He wanted to fight this order, return to Cleo, and wrap her in his arms again.

His stomach dropped as the ship left the Apocalypse. He turned his head, even though he couldn’t see the ship, and sent out a final goodbye to Cleo.

“Listen up, everyone,” Lieutenant Zabab said. “We have three hours of travel time ahead of us. Get some rest if you need it, because when we hit the ground, it’s straight to work.”

“I heard we’re going to Born,” the Apexian next to Hunter muttered.

I heard it was Opral,” another one said.

“Less talking, more listening,” Lieutenant Zabab said. “This is where we’re heading.” He pulled up a screen and flashed up an image of a planet.