Tyto smiled. “They picked the wrong kid to do that to, that’s for sure. Smarter than all of them together, smarter than anyone here.”

  I knew I was, but hearing it, knowing Denn’s stats and those of the M-Wolves, it was tough to swallow. “Hiroto makes up half my smart,” I said.

  Hiroto laughed. No, together we’re smarter, but you’re more than smart enough without me. You’d have nailed those exams. Problem is, they’re starting to know it.

  We reached the connection tube, and within a few more minutes and a quick check on the other side, we were on the Oracle.

  The damage inside was easy to see. All of the internal walls had scorch marks. I shivered. Knowing Vitya, they’d been fighting with everything their ship had, and it had a lot. Against three others, even lesser battleships, they hadn’t stood a chance. I was shocked they’d survived as long as they did. But that was mostly due to their amazing skills and weaponry. One of the biggest and baddest battleships I’d ever seen, leagues above us. Yet we’d flown into the rescue, in nothing more than an upgraded freighter.

  Tyto was quick to the bridge, not even seeming to look for directions. Maybe just pure instinct, or the facts he’d been on board these ships before. Either way, I struggled to keep up with him. The bridge doors opened, and as much as I knew his emotions were high and he probably wanted nothing more than to hug Vitya close, he looked to his mate and the gash in his head.

  This was on Tyto, though, and also one reason I’d cast my own heals for him, so he could do this now.

  The bridge lit up with kenosi as Tyto stepped towards his mate, and placing his hand gently to the big guy’s face, pulled him towards him. I heard their exchange, Vitya’s language still a little fresh to my ears. But no one needed to know or understand this. It was just love.

  I watched the wound heal, and they kissed, holding tight only for a brief moment. The other men on the bridge watched as I did, and then I looked away, moving to help one of the other officers who also had a deep head wound.

  A moment later and the immediate injuries were dealt with. Tyto moved to Vitya’s station and brought up all he could. He glanced to me. “Won’t take long to fix the system, Kyle. If you would.” He pointed to a spare console, which I then took. They all worked pretty much the same. Except this was in Vitya’s language.

  I’ll sort it, won’t take a moment, Hiroto said. When I placed my hand to the surface, it was literally one second, and it was in English then. I dug in. The code I needed to find wasn’t hard, and within a moment it was fixed and rebooted. Then all the real reports started to come in. Vitya glanced at me and started to observe everything that was. His frown deepened as he recognised the severity that had almost befallen them. The ship and a lot of his crew needed a lot more than medical attention.

  I pulled up for Jai straight away. “They need medical supplies. With more than fifty percent of the crew injured, a few extra bodies to help out wouldn’t go amiss either.”

  “Will do. I’ve been sorting out people and possible equipment lists. They’re on their way already.”

  “Everything coming in I’ll send your way too, Jai,” I replied. “I don’t think they’re going to be ready for any kind of combat anytime soon. We might even need to leave them when we go for Motaki.”

  “Honestly,” Jai said, and I could see the concern across his brow. “I was thinking of leaving both the Cristanna and his ship here. If they’re going to make another play for the planet, then they will while we’re busy, and this is prime space to try and take. The resources here are worth more than the planet or the people. I think it’s best we defend and with the right ships. Aust has said he’ll stand by my decision if you also wish it.”

  I didn’t need to think about it for very long. But if Vitya and Lara had to come with us because Tyto didn’t want them left behind, I’d also allow it. Though it would be a decision he would have to make. I’d back him either way.

  While the reports of the ship and fighter injuries came in, I cringed. I didn’t think she’d move again at all.

  Hiroto piped up. She will, but like you said, we’re going to have to leave it. If the Kiain don’t have anything else we can use as a battleship, then the crew can stay as well. I think some might be a little more than traumatised.

  They’re not used to coming that close to death. They don’t get to respawn like we do. So I don’t blame them for feeling like they do.

  If they need it, we can supply any kind of other help as well, Hiroto added.

  I’d personally never thought they might need that, but it did make sense.

  Watching as supplies started to trickle over, I asked Vitya, “May we convene in your war room whenever it’s convenient?”

  He looked to Tyto and nodded. When one of his med techs at least came in to see to his injured officer, I watched as they carefully poked him and then with a grunt sealed his wound. He was back at his station in a moment and helping where he could.

  “Raz, you may have the bridge while we discuss things. Keep me informed if there’s any changes on Tofal.”

  When Tyto moved and was closer to Vitya, he asked, “What happened to Tofal?”

  “He was out in one of our fighters when the Virosh first came into the system. He took heavy damage before he could lock back in with us, and then we fought back. I am sure he’ll be fine.”

  Tyto glanced to me and said. “He’s his second-in-command.”

  “You let him out in a fighter.”

  Vitya scowled at me. “Did you not let yours out there?”

  I laughed. “Yeah, we don’t usually get much of a choice when they decide these things.”

  “No. We do not.”

  Once in the office, I knew Tyto wouldn’t hold back, and I looked away for a moment while they kissed. I could just about make out the words he whispered to him. And I couldn’t help but hear how grateful he was to have him back in his life, right now. I was so glad; this time, I hoped it wouldn’t be brief.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  We stayed for a while on the bridge till there were others able to take the watch from the Cristanna. We retired to a back-office room where we could at least relax a little more. I’d offered to give both the guys some space, but Vitya and Tyto had said no.

  Vitya was practical, yet still in keeping with his closeness to Tyto. Lara messaged through as soon as she could. She was smiling when she realised Tyto was with me, but then she saw Vitya and that they were indeed holding hands. I watched her visibly deflate in front of me. Her smile gone. I hadn’t expected that.

  “I’ll be down as soon as we can to see you,” Tyto said and nodded towards his mate. “I’d like you to meet Vitya.”

  I don’t think she could help it. Her face flushed. “You should have told me, Ty.” I think she stood back a little, unsure of herself. Her feelings were raw, her red cheeks deepening as her eyes filled with tears.

  Tyto’s face fell, and he glanced to Vitya. “I know. I didn’t think—I didn’t know—”

  “Know what, that you’d ever see me again, because you sent me away? Somewhere you thought I’d be safe, sure. Did you just want him? Were we nothing but a lie?”

  Her words were cold, but I knew she didn’t mean any of it. Maybe I shouldn’t have been there, but I was glad I was. When she looked at me, she had someone she had confided in, a friend.

  I had to step forward though, to take her glare off Vitya when she glared towards him. He then couldn’t even look at her, and I saw him drop Tyto’s hand.

  “Hey,” I said. “You’re all feeling a lot of emotions right now. Vitya, Lara. You don’t know each other, but I know you both. I know you are wonderful people.” I moved to Tyto and took hold of his hand, tugging him gently to his feet, albeit reluctantly. “But you have one thing in common. The love for this man. One of the most amazing men I have ever known.” I reached for Vitya with my other hand, and I saw defeat in his eye, but I shook it gently at him till he took hold of his mate once again, and I pulled him up too to stand before Lara. “You all have a lot to talk about, to work out. I know you will. Why? Because you love him. Am I right?”

  They both didn’t hesitate at their words there. “I do.”

  “Then together, or even if I have to, we’ll work it out. Okay?”

  Vitya smiled at me, then looked to Lara. “Yes,” he said. “We will work it out, for Ty.”

  Lara sucked in a breath, and I could see her straighten up. She wiped her eyes. Vitya then stepped forward. Placing a hand to the screen for her a simple gesture, she let out a sob and placed hers to his.

  “Please,” she said. “You must both come to the surface, as soon as duties allow.” She gave Vitya the respect he deserved because of his station. “I can’t leave the planet or my office just yet. But we will meet soon, in the flesh. Ty, I need to see you…” Her nerves showed as she spoke about seeing him.

  “I would like to meet you also, Lara,” Vitya said. “If my mate chooses you, you are a special person, and I’d like to get to know you, and hopefully we may become friends, good friends.”

  She smiled at Vitya then, and I got the impression with a little work the dynamics of the relationship, however strange it was, would be okay.

  “I’ll return to the Razor,” I said now, sure it was better for me over there with my close crew. “I think there will be lots Jai can do for you, but maybe with some other pieces of equipment to help, you’ll mend a bit quicker. I also want to make sure and see the result of their jump myself.”

  “That would be something, to see them leave space,” Tyto said.

  “It was something to see them appear,” Vitya said. “Incredible to see, and we’re thankful for their protection.”

  I knew that; they wouldn’t be here now without them, and maybe we wouldn’t either.

  After bidding farewell to Tyto, I made my way back through to Artemis and then took a shuttle over to the Razor. It took a couple of hours, and Denn waited for me.

  “Report on the status of the engines?” I asked as I made my way through corridors. I’d no real clue where to go, the bridge? Maybe. For now, it seemed she really had to talk to me.

  “All good. I wanted to thank you for it, specifically. It was genius. No one would ever have thought of that modification.”

  I smiled. I wasn’t going to tell her where it had come from. Vitya’s father. No one needed to know the fix had been around for years. Just that it had been too powerful to actually put into practice.

  “No problem. Always something that tips you into pure research mode. And when lives you care about are on the line, I think all of us would do the same.”

  “Yes, we would.”

  “Naylar and I have a few other things we’d like to talk about,” she said. “If you’ll follow me to one of the med labs, I’d like to link you back to Artemis while we go over it.”

  “Oh, that interesting?” I wanted to take a breather. This assault of my own emotions and senses had been quite a lot to deal with.

  We don’t get many chances on how things happen, Kyle. We’ve got this. Let’s go, see what’s going on, Hiroto said. I’ll make sure I listen to it all, in case you don’t take it in.

  I’ll be fine, I replied to him. To her, I said, “Sure, but get some drinks made up. I’m feeling pretty low on energy.”

  She nodded, and I listened to her as she requested refreshments be sent to us there. “It was your changes to the engines which actually sparked this,” she then said to me, guiding us as we traversed down the ship. When we were in the next corridor, she said, “I don’t want to get anyone’s hopes up. Least of all yours or Hiroto’s—”

  I froze and stopped walking. “What do you mean?”

  Her nose twitched; she struggled with this. Then she breathed in and said it. “I think we have a fool-proof way to transfer without the need for a live host.”

  I leaned back against the bulkhead. “I mean, I know we’ve been working on our respawns, for our people. With a host. But this…” I stared into her eyes, and she nodded, reached out for me.

  Denn squeezed my arm gently. “Dylan was not the first they tried, but he was the first full download that worked, that took. He’s not going to be the last. If we can get him into technically a cloned denti body without the denti kenosi or life, we’ve done it.”

  I swallowed. I’d need to see all the data, everything.

  “You want to use him to test it?”

  She looked away from me then.

  Of course she does, Hiroto said. But with how he feels about piloting your mechs, it might not be a bad idea.

  You don’t think he can take the higher level merge, do you?

  I do not. I’m concerned that something out there in the field just won’t work.

  This was a huge risk. I wouldn’t let him unless I was sure myself. I couldn’t. I couldn’t actually stand the thought of losing him or Tyto. Or Jai, any of those who I had known in the first year of my life here.

  Understandable, Hiroto said. They’ve been a massive part of our lives, friends, mentors. More than that. They’re family…I feel that from you.

  I swallowed. “Denn, I can’t let you experiment on him, unless—”

  “I wouldn’t even be telling you if I wasn’t sure,” she said. “I’m sure. I’m sure we have this right. This will more than work. This could be something that saves many.”

  My brain couldn’t see it, not yet. “I need to see,” I said. “I need to see everything.”

  We reached the lab, and I took all the details in—well, mostly. I drank the fluids and ate while I listened to Naylar and Denn as they both bombarded me with information.

  I’m listening, Hiroto said. Do not worry.

  I will, I said. This is Dylan. He’s…

  As the biggest issue started to come through with Naylar’s explanation, I focussed in on what she showed me with projected figures and chances of survival. Dylan wasn’t in a full denti body already. If there wasn’t the same amount of him as there was the body he was transferring to, then I couldn’t see it working. It might be too much overload on his consciousness.

  I thought about it and wanted to check numbers over and again with everything myself, at my own leisure. But I couldn’t split my time anymore, or my energy. I was beyond exhausted now, and my eyes closed for a brief moment.

  “Naylar,” I said. “Denn. I can’t do this.”

  Denn stopped her scrolling of information for me. “I don’t—”

  “I’m going to have to trust you both, and Hiroto if he can work through it. I need to focus on other things right now.”

  Naylar linked her fingers in mine. “I understand. We got carried away. I’m sorry.”

  I won’t let you down, Hiroto said. Or Dylan.

  It was the wash of emotion that came from Hiroto that confused me, and I had to ask. Something going on between you two?

  There was no answer, but I felt him squirm a little.

  “Don’t be,” I replied squeezing Naylar’s hand back. “I needed to see how this would work. You’ve given me the information to know I just can’t focus on it. I trust you, and I will, with this as well.” I glanced to the door. “I’ll have to leave all of this in your capable hands,” I said. “As much as I want it to be possible, I have to do my job here and train. None of this is going to be worth it if I don’t beat Motaki and Arndale.”

  “You’re going to ask the teams to go to down to the planet, right?”

  I could only nod at her, “We need to get the merges out in the open and start the last stages of training with the mech-wolf.”

  “Am I okay to recall Dylan when it’s time?”

  “As much as it’s going to hurt me to say yes, he deserves the chance of a compatible body once more. So yes.”

  If we could get him in a body, he’d be able to not only pilot but live a much better life. It had been something he’d not spoken to me about. But sometimes it was the things I saw, while he walked, or struggled to do something that in a real, if even part-alive, body he would have full control.

  “Kyle,” Denn said. “I won’t do this unless I’m more than a thousand times sure it’s right, that everything is right.”

  “I know,” I replied. “For that I am very thankful. I do trust you. I really do.”

  I saw her smile. But I knew she was a little taken aback. I did trust her, but I was scared. Scared of the consequences for our species, that of the denti. Every decision and new device or tech we discovered was having such a repercussion throughout the galaxy, and it was all on me.

  When I left her, I walked to the mess deck to grab some drinks. I sat down and contemplated the last few things I had to go over.

  I had to get my mechs to the planet, and it meant right now my next task was to do just that.

  I also was going to tell them finally who was on each team. They needed to know who was going to be backup for me, and who was going deep on a special mission. A mission more than important and one they didn’t know they’d been assigned as yet. I hoped they would at least understand the importance of why I wanted us to split; this had been coming for a while. I’d not decided on who was going where yet. I needed to see them train, assess how they were doing. Put those who I thought could deal the right amount of damage in the right places and still have the perfect two teams for my first mech team and my back up plan, the mech-wolf.

  Some of our mechs and their pilots needed to go with Aust to the denti home world. To save them, I needed to get the team right, too. With jump capabilities, the Cristanna would be there before Arndale even suspected my tactic. I hoped the Cristanna would then let loose all hell on that planet. No more denti women would be used ever again. Nothing more than breeding factories. No, no fucking way. I shivered at the thought and stopped myself from going down that road again.

  When I got to the mech bay, I waited. Going over to the large mech-wolf of Los’s, I placed my hand on its metallic surface.

  No one had made a merge with these yet, but on the planet now, they were going to. They’d been training for it. They were capable. I knew it.