Page 73 of Rogue Starfighter

“I know.”

“I care about you.”

“I know that, too.”

Her eyes filled with tears. “Then don’t leave me.” The words nearly destroyed what discipline I had left. I reached across the console and took her face in my hand.

“You taught me how to want a life again,” I said. “You taught me that needing someone is not weakness. I believe you. This is not me choosing to be alone. This is me making sure the woman I love survives.”

“I will hate you.”

“No, you will not.”

“I will try.”

“You are very determined.”

Her breath broke on something between a laugh and a sob. The bond carried all of it. Her terror. Her anger. Her love. I leaned across the console and kissed her. She kissed me back like she could hold me in the cockpit with her mouth. Her hands caught my uniform. I let myself have one second. Two. The core alarm sounded. I pulled away.

“The data has to reach command,” I said. “Raya’s new ship could destroy Velerion. The tracker data proves there is a traitor on the inside. If we both die, they'll never know.”

“Send the recording without me.”

“The capsule needs a pilot after the Gate transit.”

“Vesh—”

“And I cannot fly your body home.” My voice cracked on the final word. Priya stopped fighting the harness. “I cannot,” I said again. “I have done it once. I will not do it with you.”

“So you’re making me do it?”

“No. I intend to survive.”

“Liar.”

The Scythes closed behind us. I increased the core output beyond every safety limit. The Wraith’s signature flared across the tactical display. Large. Bright. Impossible to ignore. The enemy fighter formation at the Gate began to shift.

“They’re following,” Priya said.

“Yes.”

“Vesh, please.”

I put my hand over hers on the capsule control. “I love you.”

“I love you too. That’s why you can’t⁠—”

“Find the traitor. Stop Raya. Live.”

I launched her capsule. The protective shell closed around her seat. Explosive bolts fired. The pod shot away from the Wraith and disappeared from my damaged sensors. The bond did not let her disappear from me. Her scream tore me to pieces as I turned the Wraith toward the debris field and opened every channel.

“Xandraxian patrol,” I transmitted. “This is Lieutenant Vesh of Velerion. Your formation is slow, your pilots are predictable, and Queen Raya is a coward. Come and prove me wrong.”

Eight Scythes broke formation and turned toward me. Four remained at the Gate.

“Excellent,” I said.

I drove the engine to full power. The Wraith entered the debris field with weapons fire behind her. I flew the narrowest gaps, using rock and the last of my maneuvering jets to keep the interceptors focused on the bright signal from my core. One shot struck the aft compartment. Another removed what remained of the starboard wing. The Wraith kept flying.