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Georgia nudged him, but then nodded. “It is something to consider.”
“I won’t do that,” Dallin said. “I can handle this.”
“Let’s talk about it another time.” Cleo picked up her tablet.
“There might not be another time.” Dallin stood firm. “I should go as soon as possible.”
“We’re all just about still standing, buddy,” Striker said. “And we appreciate you suggesting it, but you’re not the right alien for this mission.”
“Someone else could go.” Sloane glanced around the group. “Most of us are fit for duty.”
“Angel would say otherwise,” Dallin said.
“No Apexians are going on this mission.” Cleo lowered her tablet. “And I’m reluctant to send any humans, in case they come into contact with the Siblet.”
“I doubt they’re still on the waystation,” Dallin said. “They won’t have waited around to see if the poison had any effect. They’d have planted it and left so they didn’t get caught.”
“I’m still not on board with this. I need my crew on this ship,” Cleo said.
“I can leave within the hour.”
“You know what these waystations are like. They’re crowded, and you get all kinds of gross aliens walking around. What if you bump into a group of Inkrals?” Striker grinned at him.
“Dallin is into slime,” Rexx said. “That won’t be a problem.”
“I’ll ignore everyone if they’re not relevant to this mission.”
“No, Dallin, you should stay here,” Cleo said. “You could have a breakthrough in the tests you’re running any time now. And High Command is up to date with the situation. They’ve got their top people working on this, too. Something will click into place.”
He sucked in a breath. “And if it doesn’t?”
“It has to,” Sloane whispered. “You can’t go to that waystation alone.”
The discussion moved on to the maintenance of the ship while using only a skeleton staff, but Dallin wasn’t listening. His mind was made up, and he’d do anything to save Sloane and the rest of the crew.
Even go to a waystation and deal with the clutter and noise of thousands of other aliens.
He swallowed down his fear. He could do this.
***
“ELVIS, what’s Dallin’slocation?” Sloane tapped her foot on the floor as she surveyed the empty lab. This place felt wrong without Dallin in it.
There was a long pause. “His location is unknown.”
“That can’t be right. Run the scan again. I want to know where my lab partner is hiding.” Sloane was convinced Dallin was up to something. Since he’d shut down during the briefing meeting, she’d sensed something was wrong.
He hadn’t been happy with the order Cleo gave him not to leave the Apocalypse, but she figured he’d be grateful to have an out. Dallin didn’t do space adventures. It was as simple as that.
Sloane paced around the lab. “ELVIS, where is Dallin?”
The ship’s AI remained silent for a second. “I’ve been programed not to tell you.”
Her eyes narrowed. “By Dallin?”
“He said it’s in the best interests of the crew that his whereabouts is concealed.”
She cursed. “It’s not in my best interest not to know where my partner is. He’s supposed to be by my side, protecting me at all times. He’s breaking his contract. Where is he?”
