Chapter 16

16

- Arelion -

I straighten up. "That will surprise them. If we win that first battle, it could be enough to win the war."

Peroena gathers the various pads and displays we've been working on. "That's our hope, Supremacy. But we shall prepare for the worst. I recommend we go to the command post now and launch the attack right away."

"Agreed," I tell her. "Everything is ready. I have to get the freed men out of the saucer, and then I'll fly that to the command post. And I have to say goodbye to Maeve."

The general gives me a tight smile. "I'm happy that you have finally Marked a female! You have needed a love for a good while now."

I frown. "You know I Marked her?"

She shrugs. "The signs are unmistakable. The way she looks at you and you look at her… there's no doubt. And, if I dare say so, she's a good choice. A fighter to the core! And she handles trouble just as well as you do, Supremacy. Only a woman like her could handle you, I think."

"Oh, I'm very mild-mannered and demure," I tell her, grinning. "Easily handled."

She laughs. "Thank all the ancient gods that's not true! Eo needs a strong Leader, and I do believe you're it."

"Thank you," I say sincerely. "That gives me strength." I glance down at her own Mark, which her husband placed in an unusual place, behind one wing. "I only wish Marshal Naioren could be here."

Peroena touches her Mark with two gentle fingers. "As do I, every day. But we shall avenge him. Buroteo killed my husband during his brave defense of our planet. Soon, it is we who shall kill Buroteo!"

"It is indeed," I state with certainty. "General, the order is given to launch the war. Go on ahead, and I will follow in our new ship, the Revenge !"

She straightens and salutes. "Yes, Supremacy!" Turning on one heel, she marches out towards the second hangar.

I look around the common room. "Cerak, you'll keep the place safe while I'm gone?"

"I'll keep it clean," he says. "That's all I promise. Sponz and Virlu are thankfully not the messiest of organics."

"What do you think of our plans?" I ask.

"Oh, I wasn't listening. As they say, no battle plan survives the first contact with the enemy. It will all turn out completely differently than you think."

I shrug. "That's war. I'll go and chase the former captives out of the Revenge . Don't let them ruin the artworks, all right? And get rid of them as soon as possible."

"Sure."

"Goodbye, Cerak."

"Goodbye." He doesn't sound too concerned about possibly not seeing me again.

I walk to the hangar. At first I notice nothing strange. Then I realize that the small saucer is missing.

My heart sinks in my chest. Running into the Revenge , I ask the former captives if they've seen Maeve. They haven't, but they've seen the small saucer take off and fly into space.

A quick search of Gigori shows Maeve is nowhere to be found, and neither is Bari.

"Told you things would turn out differently," Cerak says when I end up back in the common room, my good mood shattered.

"This is not the time for your nonsense," I warn him. "She just took off without a word!"

"What would you expect her to say?" Cerak asks. "'Hey, I'm going to steal a ship and go on my way without you?'"

I slam my fist on the table, leaving a dent. "She said she wouldn't go now! " I fret, darkness encroaching on my mind. "She promised!"

"Organics promise lots of things," the robot says. "And then they realize they can't keep their promises."

"Earthlings," I growl. "It was true. They're sneaky. "

"Sometimes," Cerak says with unusual mildness. "Like everyone else. There's no shame in being deceived, Arelion. An honorable man will assume that others are as honest as he is. Perhaps this isn't as bad as it looks."

"She's gone to Xap. She just needed me to tell her where to go. And like a fool, I did."

"She has a mission," the robot reminds me. "It's just as important to her as yours is to you."

"She also has my Mark," I tell him. "Does it mean nothing to her? Well, you're right. I do have a mission of my own."

Cerak rolls to the door. "She helped you with yours. "

I glare at him. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"It was just an observation. Shall we go?"

I frown. "You're coming to the war on Eo?"

"I'm not an alien," he points out. "I'm a robot. Nobody will mind. And this place is going to be noisy until all these guys are gone."

The freed captives file past us, having to set up their sleeping quarters inside our rooms because I'll use the Revenge .

I march out. "Suit yourself."

We enter the Revenge , noticing the captives have left it nice and clean.

"At least something good came from that," I growl as I start the saucer. "Three hundred slaves freed. But I'll never believe a Fire Mage again."

"Probably a healthy policy," Cerak says as he settles in for the ride. "They're even less dependable than most organics, I find.