Page 80 of Armor

Karambit flips him off, grins, and adds, “You would’ve let me die.”

Atox sighs. “Rebel hasinfectedmy programming. I am learning to break the rules and try risky repairs.”

I grip Atox’s shoulder. “I am grateful you are with us, however you wish to operate.”

Mace clicks his tongue. “Easy to say when you had a cybertech working on you.”

“Pretty sure she gave me the workout.” I wink up at Esthi like she once did to me. When her cheeks flush, I know it was the right move.

Karambit whistles suggestively while Mace whoops.

“Alright, you horny hotskins,” Atox grumbles. “Let’s get our Brother out back together.”

They motion for me to turn around, so I do. My back jerks as they merge my heavy wings with my brackets. Alerts fill my vision.

Left Wing: Online. Shield extender - operational.

Right Wing: Online. Shield extender - operational.

Squadron Shield: Ready.

I curl forward and stretch my wings as best as I can in the cockpit and feel their weight has evened out since I wore them last. I pull the tips forward and admire the smoothed-out blades.

“Magma and a few others spent some extra time reshaping and bolstering your wings with hydramidium,” Esthi states.

“Thank you, everyone.” I glance around at them all as I run a hand over my repaired side.

“Breaching perimeter now,” Fracture reports. He and Evo are in the pilot’s seats in front of Navi, guiding us after the radiant chrome BlazeStar and hundreds of other vessels into a vibrant nebula filled with indigo, violet, and fuchsia clouds. White orbs dot the space, drenching it in light.

Esthi hugs me from the side.

“Did Mother get repaired?” I ask.

“Yes.” Esthi beams up at me. “Titans are impressive with how they work together to get shit done so fast.”

“How many Brothers did we lose?” I ask.

Atox shifts closer to the windows. “Wegainedtwo. Yeti and Fenrir are back in operation. No Titans down that Rebel, orI, couldn’t save. But we lost nine females during the Venom hit and the perforation of the BlazeStar. Brothers are working on hydramidium reinforcements on the BlazeStar as we speak. We won’t let that happen again.”

Ranger and the rest of Craze’s crew join us as our ship emerges from a vibrant cloud of stardust into a cavity.

“There she is,” Craze says with a smile.

Fracture high-fives Evo. “We’re home, Brother.”

“Feels good,” Evo remarks. “Contacting Rogue Mothership now.”

The coms crackle, and a voice pops through. “Ravenger Three, Aegis 189 confirming ping. BlazeStar, Aegis 189 confirming ping.” The woman pauses. “Wow, that’s a lot of Rebel ships. I am Lotus, CP-577. Chasm has the bridge.”

“We are glad to see you,” another voice booms. “Please form up your fleets around us. We have a lot of work to do.”

Clover cuts in. “A new war is just beginning. Solcrue will regroup after our escape, pull in fresh forces, and hunt us down.”

I tighten my grip around Esthi. “I won’t let anything happen to you.”

She looks up at me with her gorgeous blue eyes and kisses me. “And I’ll be sure you’re capable of keeping that promise and coming back to me every night.”

I nibble her ear. “Inside of you is what I prefer.”

Esthi blushes and rests her head on my chest. “I love you.”

“We will be ready,” Chasm says. “And this time—Brothers, Sisters, and Rebels—we will win because we are finally united once again.”