Page 51 of Commander’s Mate
“We go to Halor first. Governor Guryon will provide asylum for those who choose it. We will try to arrange transport home for those whose worlds can be identified. Those whose worlds cannot be found may remain temporarily under Farseek protection while they decide what future they want.”
“Protection,” Nora said. “Not ownership.”
“Not ownership.”
“And if we stay with your people?” Zoe asked.
“Then when you are ready, you will be expected to learn, work, and contribute. Not today. Not before medical treatment and rest. We are refugees as well as soldiers.”
Scarlet wiped her face. “That I can handle.”
I pulled back enough to look at him. “What kind of work?”
“We will find out what you can do.”
“I delivered mail.”
“Mail?”
“Messages and packages. To homes. On a route.”
“Then you know systems, locations, people, records, and responsibility.”
I stared at him. “You make it sound important.”
“Was it not?”
“It was ordinary.”
“Ordinary things are what worlds are made of.”
The words landed softly.
His comm chimed. He touched it, listened, and the commander returned to his face.
“Duty?” I asked.
“Yes.”
“You should go.”
“I do not want to leave you like this.”
“I’m not alone.” I glanced at Scarlet, Nora, and Zoe. “Go do your duty. Come back when you can.”
His eyes searched my face. Then he lifted my hand and kissed the back of it once before letting go.
“I will come back when I can.”
After he left, the door closed behind him.
This time it did not sound like a lock.
Chapter Eleven
Harper
The conference room stayed quiet after Zared left.
