Chapter 18

18

- Arelion -

Despite being full of supplies for the army, the Revenge flies as easily as ever.

The worst of my anger has passed, leaving a dull ache that turns sharp the moment I let my thoughts touch upon Maeve.

Did I chase her away? I know my manner can be gruff. Did I ignore her or hurt her with my constant talk about my mission? Or was she less than impressed about me not being able to drop everything and help her accomplish hers?

Should I simply follow my old plan and go straight to Eo and throw myself into the war?

"I do protest against this," Cerak says. "Your army is counting on you to lead them."

"She bears my Mark," I tell him tightly. "Every Eoan will understand."

"Will they understand that you lose the war because you miss the first battle?"

"They don't need me to lead that battle," I argue. "Peroena is ten times the general I am. You said yourself that I'm not a great battlefield commander."

"Now you're unloading the responsibility on a poor trash can," he laments. "Such unfairness!"

"The responsibility is all mine," I tell him. "I choose to come after Maeve and get her to safety. It's my choice, and your protest has been noted. Anyway, Xap is close to Eo. It's just a quick hyperjump away."

"Battles have been won and lost with smaller margins than that," the trash can says, making me more and more certain that I'm doing the right thing by going after Maeve.

"How much longer to Xap?" I ask. I can't stand the knowledge that she is right now unprotected and unsafe, in enemy territory.

"Any moment now," the robot says. "And the moment we emerge from hyperspace, we can set a new course for Eo. You will have lost only an hour."

"No," I tell him. "Xap Station is our destination. And we're not leaving there without Maeve."

"Your stubbornness will be the death of me," Cerak sighs as we drop out of hyperspace. "Well, here we are. Setting course for Xap. You can still change your mind and go straight to Eo. Yes, I know that is what a sane person would do. Still, it might be refreshing for you to try."

Nothing he says can shake my determination. "No. I will not see Eo again without my love by my side."

Cerak is quiet for a moment. "I see Xap Station on the scanners. And a big ship that looks Eoan."

"How big?" I ask.

"Battlecruiser size. Something that you'd expect a Supreme Leader to travel in."

Ice settles in the pit of my stomach. "Buroteo? Here?! "

"I think we should try to surprise them," Cerak says. "As brutally as possible. If we do that, I might give you a show."

"Uh-huh," I reply, having no idea what he means. "I don't follow."

"You'll see. Put some armor on."

"Armor? That's not really the Eoan way, Cerak."

"I know you want to fight as naked as possible. But if you want to have any chance at all of getting Maeve out of this, you will need protection."

I get to my feet and look down my body. I have a few more holes in me now than I did just a few days ago. "Hmm. She does want me to not take silly chances."