Page 71 of Rogue Starfighter

“So the traitor didn’t even need the mission briefs. It sabotaged the ship. Probably every ship."

The implications were staggering. The same tracker could have been inside the ship when Tavik died. And during every solo mission after. Six years spent believing I could hide while someone inside our own command always knew where to find me. I did not have time to be angry. The lead Scythe came within weapons range.

“Incoming.” Priya rolled the Wraith as the first volley crossed our bow. The engine groaned. Warning lights filled her display.

“Core at six percent,” I said.

“Find me a way out of here.”

There wasn’t one. The interceptors had built their formation perfectly. Four covering the Gate. Four moving toward us. Four holding wide to prevent an escape into the debris field. We could turn around and go back the way we came, but we'd be dead in a few hours. We didn't have the power reserves to last long.

The Wraith shook as another shot clipped our damaged side.

“Hull pressure dropping,” I said.

“How long 'til the air is gone?”

“Four minutes. If they don't hit us again.”

Priya’s hands tightened on the controls. “We didn’t come this far to die now.”

“No.”

I copied the shipyard recording and all of our mission data into the pilot's escape capsule. The status indicator turned green, ready to launch. Priya saw it.

“What are you doing?”

“Preparing a second option.”

“We agreed. No deciding for both of us.”

“I remember.”

“Then stop.”

I did not. The Wraith’s individual crew capsules could survive a Gate transit. Priya’s launch rail remained functional. Mine had been destroyed with the starboard wing. Her capsule was small, fast, and coated in the same scan-absorbing alloy as the Wraith. Once it separated from the ship, the Scythes would have difficulty seeing it. She would be nearly invisible and moving at incredible speed. They Scythe wouldn't be able to stop the capsule from reaching the Gate. Especially if every one of them was looking at me.

“All of our ReCon data is loaded into the escape capsule,” I said. “The navigation system is locked on the Gate.”

“Turn it off.”

“No.”

“Vesh.”

“When I give the command, you launch.”

“No. I'm not leaving you." Her fear hit me through our bond. Sharp. Immediate. Mine rose in response. Not fear for me. Fear of losing her. Watching her die. I couldn't do that. Not again.

“Priya, listen to me.”

“I'm listening. I’m also not leaving.”

“The Wraith is transmitting our position. Your capsule will not. I can overload the core and make this ship bright enough to draw the entire formation. You take the recording through the Gate.”

“And you?”

“I keep them occupied.”