Page 18 of Rogue Starfighter

Of course it wasn’t. “Scout pairs operate beyond normal communications. The nanotech creates a connection between us. We can sense each other’s location and physical condition over great distances.”

“Like a tracking device?”

“More precise.”

“And permanent?”

“Yes.”

She studied my face. “The game called it a bonding ceremony. You called me your bondmate. The Internet called the missing women’s partners their alien mates.”

I said nothing.

“Am I your mate, Vesh?”

There was no safe answer. “You are my assigned partner in the field.”

Priya stared at me for three full seconds. “That was an impressive non-answer.”

“It was accurate.”

“It was bullshit.”

The translation implant delivered the meaning with perfect clarity. I almost smiled. She saw it.

“You think this is funny?”

“No.”

“Liar.”

Priya turned away before I could further damage the situation. She went to the viewport and pressed both hands to the transparent alloy.

Velerion filled the view. Blue oceans. Green continents. Great white weather systems moved over the surface. Moon Base Arturri appeared against the darkness beyond it, thousands of lights spread across the rock. She forgot our argument.

“Wow.”

That reaction I understood. I stood behind her, close enough to watch her face reflected in the glass. She was not merely admiring the planet. Her gaze tracked the orbital lanes, the transport ships moving between Velerion and Arturri, the defense platforms guarding the Gate. Always working. Always mapping.

“Most recruits cry when they see Velerion,” I said.

“Give me a minute. I haven’t ruled it out.”

“Some are also ill.”

She glanced at me over her shoulder. “Are you trying to make me throw up?”

“No.”

“Then stop suggesting it.”

I closed my mouth. The silence lasted three seconds.

“How far did we travel?” she asked.

“Approximately twenty-five light-years.”

Priya looked back at the Gate. “In less than an hour.”