Page 75 of Rogue Starfighter

“No wreckage.”

“Not yet.”

“Then he’s alive.”

The general’s expression did not change, but he had stopped arguing. Jennix enlarged the tracker data Vesh had transferred into the capsule. “This is an encrypted command beacon. It was embedded inside the Wraith’s core telemetry.”

“Can you identify who installed it?”

“Not from this record.”

“Can whoever planted it track another ship?”

“Every scout in the fleet is being grounded and inspected now.”

“Inspect the ship you’re giving me first.”

Aryk’s eyebrows rose. “The ship I am giving you?”

“The fastest scout on this moon. I need it fueled, armed, and cleared to launch.”

“You are injured.”

“So is Vesh.”

“We do not know his position.”

“I do.” I touched the mark again. The bond pulled toward the Gate. Weak, but steady. I couldn’t give them coordinates but I could find him.

“The completed pair bond can locate a partner over interplanetary distance,” Jennix said. “Not precisely.”

“I don’t need precise. I’ll find him when I’m closer.”

Aryk folded his arms. “And the enemy fighters?”

“I’ll kill 'em all.”

“Alone?”

“If I have to.”

“Starfighter Anand, I will not send a lone, injured scout into battle with an entire enemy wing. That's suicide.”

“Then send backup.”

“We cannot commit a strike force to Xandraxian space without⁠—”

“Without what? Permission from the traitor inside your command?” I shouted. The room went silent. Aryk’s face hardened. I didn’t care. “The mission was a trap. Your extraction point was watched. Someone planted a tracker inside Vesh’s ship. Tavik died because the same thing happened six years ago. You can investigate while I fly, or you can explain to me why finding the man who brought you proof of all of it isn’t worth the risk.”

I stepped closer to him.

“You recruited me because I can fly the way Vesh does. Because I see openings your other scouts don’t. He’s out there in a ship designed not to be found, and I’m the only person in this room connected to him by a permanent bond. I’m going after him. You can authorize the mission or arrest me after I steal the ship.”

“I told you she would be trouble,” General Jennix said.

“You sound pleased,” Aryk replied.

“I am.”