Page 62

The increasing strain that had started to fill him eased off. Khoth was right. He just hadn’t expected Khoth to be the one to tell him that.

“You’re right, Khoth. This is so important. And I want to share it with our families right away. Everything else can wait,” Jace said. “It’s a celebration of life and I think we need that considering what’s to come. Besides.” He smiled at his Mom. “You need to see Dad in the flesh after what happened.”

“But I assume you need him on the ship. And we understand our duty, Jace. I don’t want you to do anything that would–”

“Mom, I did the equivalent of getting married. I think Dad needs to know.” Jace laughed.

She nodded and let out a breath. “I admit I want to see him. Hold him. And yes, he does need to know.”

“He does. And I want him to be with you,” Jace promised her.

He wanted to, at least, give his parents a night together. The thought of them being so close, but so far felt wrong. Besides, once he filled out the rest of the crew, they wouldn’t be staying on Haseon for long, but his mother would be.

Imagine if we were separated like that, Khoth. I don’t know if I could bear it, Jace said.

The connection, strangely, makes that easier and harder. We are always together in some way, Khoth reminded him.

You’re right. You’re always with me.

Always.

Jace tapped his comm and brought up his father. Jack smiled broadly at him and he felt the instant warmth that seeing his father brought. There was a connection here as well. He could feel it now that he had his connection to Khoth.

How amazing is this!

“Pilot!” His father beamed.

Jace wanted to correct him and tell him to say “Jace” but his father was the one that was right. “Flight-Commander Parker, I need you to come down to Haseon.”

“Of course, Pilot.” But he could see by the slight narrowing of his father’s eyes that he was surprised by this request and likely disagreed with it. Not that he would say unless Jace gave him permission. He felt a little sad at this, but his father understood the chain of command. And if he were constantly questioning Jace it would seem he didn’t respect Jace’s decisions, which he knew his father did. So he wasn’t surprised when his father simply said, “I will let the next in command know.”

“Dad,” Jace cut in. He couldn’t help the goofy smile on his face. “It’s personal and important. I need you here. I wouldn’t ask if it weren’t necessary.”

“Of course, Jace.” His father’s professional demeanor eased a little. “Aren’t you going to give me a hint about what it is though? From your smile, I can tell it’s something good. I can use some good news.”

He sincerely hoped that his father would be as happy and accepting as his mother. He was still so grateful for that.

“Even if I did, you wouldn’t believe it,” Jace grinned.

“I’d like to wait until Lieutenant-Commander Davies can replace me up here,” his father said.

“I know. You’re worried that the Khul threat is far from over,” Jace said.

His father nodded and scrubbed a hand over his buzz cut hair. “You got that right. Personally, I’d like you up here. But you’ve got things to do.”

“The planetary shield is working at 75%. It should be up to 100% in the next hour. And the BFG–big fucking gun–is not only in working order, but there are a bunch more of them that I’m bringing online,” Jace assured him.

“But the Osiris hasn’t figured out a way to shield you from being cut off from it?” His father asked.

“You know it hasn’t. It seems like you have a new best friend in the Osiris,” Jace chuckled.

The Osiris that had been silent–because he’d hurt its feelings by insisting on it not telling about the food and it had gotten its revenge with the larva–but now piped in.

Friendship is a construct to ensure cooperation among groups of individuals to perpetuate–

Osiris, you like my Dad, Jace cut in dryly.

Your father is… acceptable, the Osiris admitted grudgingly.