“Whose side are you on, Wash?”

  Washington smiled. “I’m just saying.”

  Caleb jumped down from his bed. “Pai, where can I find Sergeant Tsi?”

  “She’s been called to meeting with General Goi,” Pai replied. “Along with the other new recruit.”

  “Valentine is in a meeting with Goi?” Caleb said.

  “Yes, Sergeant.”

  “Son of a bitch. Could this get any worse?”

  “I’m sure it could,” Washington said.

  “Wash, Dante, with me. Kiaan, Paige, wait here.”

  “Roger,” Paige said.

  Caleb stormed out of the barracks with Washington and Dante right behind him. The Inahri nearby stopped to stare when they emerged, offering smiles and waves when Caleb looked at them. It drained enough of his fury for him to return the gesture, but not enough to remove any of the urgency. There was no way to know what Valentine had told Tsi and the general. Whatever it was, he doubted any of it could be good.

  They crossed the compound, returning to the central circle and navigating to the command center. They entered the building, brought to a stop by the guard inside. She smiled at Caleb when he entered, making a comment he couldn’t understand.

  “I need to go up,” he said, pointing to the stairs.

  She shook her head and said something else in Inahrai.

  “Up,” Caleb repeated.

  The soldier blocked his path, putting her hand firmly on his chest.

  “Goi?” Caleb said.

  “Goi,” she replied, pointing to the stairs.

  “I have to go up there,” Caleb insisted.

  The soldier didn’t move.

  “Sorry about this,” Caleb said. He put his replacement hand on her shoulder and shoved her out of the way, sweeping past her. She recovered and tried to grab him from behind, but Washington got a grip on her, slowing her just long enough for Caleb to run up the stairs. He turned the corner to find Riley in the same position he had been in a few hours earlier. The proceedings came to an abrupt stop as all eyes turned to Caleb.

  “Caleb,” Tsi said, eyes furious at his intrusion. He knew the Inahri would find his actions dishonorable, but that was less important than letting Valentine spew her lies to them.

  “I’m sorry,” Caleb said. General, you can’t trust her.” He pointed at Riley. “She’s dangerous. Very dangerous.”

  Riley glared at him. “That’s where you’re wrong, Caleb. Believe it or not, I came to help.” She smirked. “I’m sorry about your ribs. I guess I underestimated the strength of the exosuit.”

  Caleb ignored the remark. He opened his mouth to speak again.

  “Sergeant Caleb!” Goi shouted. “You are way out of line. Again. If you can’t behave with some level of decorum, I may be forced to change my decision on your position in this community.”

  Caleb clamped his mouth shut to keep from saying anything. He straightened up, bowing his head like he was supposed to. He kept it bowed, remaining fixed in front of the Esteemed.

  “I intended to involve you with our situation as soon as you completed your recovery,” General Goi said, speaking calmly. “Sergeant Tsi is here for that very reason. Take a place behind me.”

  “Yes, General,” Caleb said, raising his head and moving to stand behind the general.

  “General, do you mind if I present Caleb with a quick update?” Sergeant Tsi asked. Her face softened when she looked at him. Now that the anger had passed, she seemed relieved he was upright again.

  “Go ahead, Sergeant,” Goi said.

  “We were discussing how to resolve the situation with the Relyeh,” Tsi said. “Not only have they apparently gained a foothold inside your ship, but they’ve also taken a foothold inside the Seeker.”

  “We’re playing catch-up,” Riley said.

  “General, permission to speak plainly?” Caleb asked.

  “Granted,” Goi said.

  “Riley, what do you mean, we? You don’t know the meaning of ‘we.’”

  “You hurt me, Sergeant,” Riley replied. “I’m trying to atone for my sins. To make up for my mistakes.”

  “I already told them how we wound up here,” Caleb said. “They know what you did.”

  “I’m aware. I told them the same thing. I admitted to all of it. What’s done is done, isn’t it? Water under the bridge?”

  “What’s your game, Valentine?” Caleb asked. “If you remember, you told me yesterday you don’t give a shit about Metro. So why are you here?”

  “I also told you I was interested in allying with the Inahri,” she replied. “So here I am.”

  “And you know these Inahri aren’t running the show on this planet?”

  “I’m aware. General Goi explained Arluthu to me. You really don’t expect me to go looking for help from the monster who destroyed Earth in the first place, do you?” She had a point. Caleb couldn’t argue it. She kept talking anyway. “I didn’t mean for all this to happen, Card. Everything I planned has gone horribly wrong. I can’t deny it. I also can’t change the past. But I can help now.”

  “What’s in it for you?”

  “Is that what you think of me? That I only care how I can benefit?”

  “Yes. You’ve never given me a reason not to think that. You murdered David because he knew what you did.”

  “Murder is a strong word. He was a stowaway. He wasn’t even supposed to be there. I was within my rights to kill him based on the protocols.”

  “And that justifies it?”

  “Yes.”

  “Whatever helps you sleep at night, I guess. If you even need to sleep anymore. Do Reapers sleep?”

  Riley scowled at the statement. Caleb could see the skin on her forehead was hardening and beginning to change color. How long would it take for the transformation to make her more demon than human?

  “All the more reason not to waste time arguing,” she replied.

  “Fine,” Caleb agreed. He looked at Tsi. “So we’re losing on two fronts. General, have you considered my request to return to the Deliverance to deal with the Relyeh Inahri there?”

  “Yes,” General Goi replied. “Doctor Valentine has spoken on behalf of your value in preventing Arluthu from recovering the modulator. We, the Esteemed agree with her assessment and were only awaiting your recovery. Do you feel you are combat ready, Sergeant?”

  “Yes, sir,” Caleb replied.

  “Good. Sergeant Tsi, take them both to the armory and get them prepared. You’ll leave immediately.”

  “Yes, General,” Tsi replied.

  “General, one more word, please,” Caleb said.

  “What is it, Sergeant?”

  “I strongly recommend not allowing Doctor Valentine to return to the Deliverance. She can’t be trusted.”

  “She has been nothing but honest and upfront with us, Sergeant,” Goi replied.

  “With all due respect, sir. I used to believe that about Riley too. She doesn’t know the meaning of honest and upfront.”

  “Do not forget she defeated you in the Trial,” Goi said. “She has proven her worth just as you have. The decision of the Esteemed is final.”

  Caleb clenched his teeth, looking at Riley again. She smirked slightly. “I want the modulator away from Arluthu as much as you do, Card.”

  Caleb believed that part was true. She didn’t want Arluthu to get the energy unit. She probably wanted it for herself.

  “Come,” Sergeant Tsi said. “We don’t have any time to waste.”

  Chapter 25

  Caleb followed Sergeant Tsi and the Translator Intellect from the room, down the stairs to where Washington and Dante were waiting. Washington’s face fell when he saw Riley come down the steps, while Dante looked like she wanted to stab the doctor in the eye.

  “Your squadmates will return to the barracks,” Tsi said upon seeing them.

  “I want them with me on the mission,” Caleb replied.

  “That isn’t an option.”

  Caleb came to a stop. “What do you mean? How are we going to get the Relyeh out of the Deliverance with only three of us?”

  “We aren’t,” Riley said. “The plan isn’t to save Metro. Not yet, anyway. We recover the energy unit and we get out.”

  “And leave our people in the hands of the enemy? Won’t they try to ransom them for the unit?”

  “No. They’ll know the Free Inahri have the unit and won’t negotiate for the lives of Earthers. Metro will become worthless to them.”

  “So they might as well kill everyone in it.”

  “Come on, Card. Now you’re transferring Earther thinking onto more advanced humans.”

  “So you think the Relyeh won’t slaughter the people of Metro because they’re more advanced?” Washington said. “They did a number on Earth.”

  Riley glanced at the big Marine. “Well, look who got their voice back. I’d theorize that the people of Earth did worse by one another when the trife came than the trife ever did. Do you remember the streams, Private? Looting. Vandalism. And worse.”

  “I don’t need to remember seeing it online,” Washington replied. “I lived it.”

  “Then you know what I mean. The trife were designed for a purpose. What was the purpose in humans killing other humans as though the enemy needed the help?”

  “The Inahri have allied with Arluthu,” Tsi said. “They won’t kill in cold blood regardless. Once the modulator is out of your people’s hands, they will be more safe, not less. I swear my life on it.”

  None of this was sitting well with Caleb, especially with Riley involved. He was sure she had an ulterior motive. Her entire life was an ulterior motive. Why did she want to go back to the Deliverance? Was it only for the modulator?

  What if she could launch the Seeker on her own? Would she bring it back to Earth?

  “How big is our team?” he asked.

  “You, me, her, Corporal Kizi and Private Awak,” Tsi said. “They will meet us in the armory.”

  “What about my Guardians?”

  “They’ll be put to use. We’re planning an assault on the Seeker in conjunction with our attack on your ship.”

  “Get the energy unit, get the ship, bring the energy unit to the ship and power it up. Is that right?”

  “The Seeker has weapons systems that will help us defend against a Relyeh counter-attack.”

  “What if we don’t get the unit?”

  “A lot of Free Inahri are going to die.”

  “You’re sure this is a good plan?” Dante asked. “Why don’t we get the energy unit first, and then worry about the ship?”

  “We can’t delay that long,” Tsi replied. “Arluthu’s forces will harden their position on the Seeker and we’ll never be able to dig them out.”

  “Do we have to worry about trife?” Caleb asked. “Uluth, I mean?”

  “No. They have proven less effective against us than our own kind.” Tsi shook her head. “We made a bargain with a monster a long time ago, thinking that we would earn our freedom. For many, we simply traded one master for another, only they don’t see how Arluthu controls them. They worship him like a god. The Relyeh aren’t gods. Their power comes from fear, but I believe they can be challenged and defeated.”

  Caleb watched Tsi’s eyes as she spoke. There was something in them and in the force of her words, even if he couldn’t understand them directly from her lips.

  “You’re a deserter, aren’t you?” he said. “A convert to the Free Inahri.”

  “I escaped Arluthu when I was twelve years old,” she replied. “My mother brought me out of Sverg Althu. She stole a transport. It was taken down a hundred kilometers from here. She died in the crash. The last thing she said to me was that the day we stop fighting for freedom, even if only within our hearts, is the day we lose our souls.” She closed her eyes, recalling the memory. “I spent a week alone in the jungle before the Free Inahri found me. I never served Arluthu, but my mother did. She said the Relyeh are evil, and Arluthu is the worst kind.”

  “What kind is that?” Washington asked.

  “He has ways of entering your mind. Of taking root and growing until you believe his way is the right way in your heart. He suffocates your free will from the inside out through deceit and manipulation.”

  “That sounds familiar,” Dante said, looking at Riley.

  Riley didn’t respond.

  “I’ve already said too much,” Tsi said, breaking out of her thoughts. “Our time is short. Your squadmates will return to the barracks and await further orders. Your second-in-command will take charge of organizing for the assault on the Seeker.”

  “Wash, that’s you,” Caleb said.

  “Not the sheriff?” Washington asked.

  “No offense to Sheriff Dante, but she’s not a Marine.”

  “None taken,” Dante said. “I have to admit, I’m not eager to become a foot soldier in an alien race’s civil war.”

  “This isn’t about their war,” Caleb replied. “This is about protecting Metro. If this is the best way to do it, then this is how we do it.”

  “Do you really think it’s the best way?”

  “No. But right now, it may be the only way.”

  “Roger that, Sergeant.”

  “Washington, Dante, you’re dismissed,” Caleb said. “Return to the barracks and wait for your next orders.”

  “Yes, Sergeant,” they replied and headed out of the building.

  “Tsi,” Caleb said, turning to her. “If possible, can you keep Kiaan out of this? He isn’t any kind of fighter. He’s a pilot. A civilian pilot.”

  “I will have someone inform General Goi. We can instruct him on the use of our craft, and he can continue in that capacity. I can’t promise he won’t be hurt.”

  “I’ll take what I can get.”

  “Follow me.”

  Chapter 26

  Caleb and Riley followed Tsi and the Intellect out of the CIC and around to the front of the long building. Tsi spoke to the two guards stationed there and they opened the heavy stone door to allow them to enter.

  Corporal Kizi and Private Awak were already inside, standing in a small atrium at the front of the armory. A third person was with them, an older woman with the largest eyes Caleb had seen on any of the Inahri. She wore a light purple robe that matched the color of her eyes, giving her an almost ethereal appearance.

  “Weapons-master Lito,” Tsi said. “This is Sergeant Caleb and Doctor Riley, two of the newest members of our community.”

  She regarded them both. “Has this one seen a healer?” she asked, pointing at Riley.

  “They said there was nothing they could do,” Riley said. “The mutation is too far along.”

  Caleb caught the sadness in Riley's voice. The hint of despair. At that moment, he almost felt sorry for her.

  Almost.

  “A shame,” Lito replied. “I saw the way you both fought during the Trial. You are valuable new assets to our cause.” She looked at Tsi. “I’ve already been debriefed on the mission parameters and have selected the appropriate armament. Follow me.”

  She led the group out of the small atrium, through a door in the back. It fed into another small room where Lito had already laid out five sets of equipment on five of the twenty or so racks in the room, which were designed for that purpose.

  Windows on both sides of the room revealed the full extent of the armory. Through them, Caleb could see six long rows of equipment—everything from battle armor to xix, to anti-Intellect guns, energy weapons, and the stunners that had taken he and his Guardians out. There were also plenty of weapons he didn’t recognize. A variety of guns along with an assortment of tools whose purpose he couldn’t discern.

  “This doesn’t look like enough for an entire army,” Caleb said, eying all of it. The collection was impressive but small, especially compared to what he had uncovered beneath Metro.

  “All of the barracks are already equipped,” Lito replied. “There are nearly a thousand barracks in the compound, composed of close to four thousand Free Inahri troops. Also, the armory continues twenty levels deep.”

  “I stand corrected.”

  “We don’t use most of the weapons,” Tsi said. “But we’re stockpiling them for when the Axon return.”

  “Don’t you mean if the Axon return?” Caleb asked.

  “No. We believe they will.”

  “Why? If Arluthu is here and more Relyeh are coming, isn’t it better to consolidate further back?”

  “They will look to test their readiness here.”

  “Against the Inahri?”

  “Against both Relyeh and Inahri. It is only a question of when.”

  “Sergeant Caleb, that is your dock,” Lito said, pointing to one of the stations. “And that is yours, Doctor Riley.”

  Caleb walked over to his station. An Intellect Skin was clipped to the wall. Beside it, a small shelf where a small handgun rested beside a belt made of the same material as the Skin. The belt had a short, dark blade snapped horizontally across the back.

  “This is it?” Caleb said.

  “Anything more and the Skin won’t be able to hide you,” Lito said. “This is a stealth mission, Sergeant Caleb.”

  “I’ve been on stealth missions before,” Caleb replied. “I was expecting your tech would offer more options for equipment.”

  “Everything you need is part of the Skin. Be careful not to destroy it. They’re irreplaceable.”

  Caleb looked at Tsi. “You gave me one for the Trial.”

  “I told you that you’re special, Caleb,” Tsi replied. “It was my Skin to give.”

  “I’m really not special.”

  “Is it a coincidence that you’re here now? Is it a coincidence that your ship came at this time in the history of the Inahri ? Our stalemate has continued for ens, but in one moment, in one ship, in one warrior, everything has changed.”

  “You make that sound like a good thing. You could lose everything.”

  “Or gain everything, The opportunity is worth the cost, and it’s better than living in wait for a day that might never come. Only it has come. And today we’ll take the first step to free the Inahri people from the Hunger.”