Page 195 of Star Bringer
Oh, Kali will deny it. But then, so will I, if anyone asks. It doesn’t make it any less true.
That’s the other reason I know it’s time to go. Because lately, I’ve been getting these ridiculous feelings of belonging.
I love this ship. TheStarlightfeels like the home I haven’t had since my father died. But it’s not just the ship. It’s the people—not only Rain, but all of them. I’ve never had friends before, so I could be totally off base. But I think they might actually care about me. I know that I care about them. Even Kali, with her purple dresses and privileged attitude. She’s a pain, but she’s our pain.
And a tiny, optimistic part of me thinks that might be all that matters.
And that’s why I have to leave. Because it’s that kind of thinking that gets people hurt. I don’t care about me so much, but I can’t stand the idea of something happening to one of them. Especially Rain.
But before I go, I have to find out about my brother. I have to know if he went the same route as Milla. If he did, is there some way to find him, too?
It’s a lot to ask of one sentient ship and seven people who are just beginning to learn how to trust one another. But I’ve been playing with an idea of how to manage it. It’s not a good one, but it won’t leave me alone.
I look around. Everyone is a little subdued right now, but I think that’s to be expected. Ian is sitting, brooding, in his captain’s chair. I would have thought he’d be happier now that we’ve got the princess back. But obviously not. It’s been maybe two hours since she went to bed, and he keeps looking at the door like some lovesick prupple.
I check the screens. There’s no one following, just that giant creepy orb keeping pace behind us.
Should I broach my idea? Or should I just forget about it? I mean, there’s a good chance they won’t agree to it anyway, since there are several risks involved. But at the same time, it might be the best chance that we’ve got, and shouldn’t we take it? Don’t Milla and Jarved deserve it?
Before I can decide, the comms unit buzzes with an incoming call. Ian jumps to his feet and heads over. “Who is it?” he asks.
Gage taps a few keys. “That merc you asked me to contact in the Wilds. Looks like he got the information.”
“Great. Can you put it up on the other screens?” Ian asks.
A stream of data flashes across the screen. I start reading. It’s a map of the building where Milla is hopefully being kept, considering it’s the largest structure on Delta V47, where theReformerwas headed. The exact location of the asteroid itself. And numbers of guards and their shifts and changeover times. It’s a lot of great information, but it’s also really bad news.
At least there’s no long-range surveillance system, but there are between fifty and a hundred guards on duty at any time, plus we have to presume the off-duty guards will join in if there’s an attack. We’ll never be able to take that many. Not with just the seven of us, only four of whom are fighters.
Judging by the expression on Ian’s face, he’s thinking the same thing. “Fuck,” he mutters. “How the hell are we going to do this?”
“We’re not,” I answer. “Not alone.”
Kali chooses that moment to appear. She doesn’t look much better than when she went to sleep.
“What’s going on?” she asks.
Ian takes a step toward her and then stops himself. Probably put off by her closed expression and general air of leave-me-alone-ness. “We just got the intel from the Wilds. It’s not good.”
“Too many guards,” Max puts in. “We’re going to need help.”
“And where are we supposed to get that kind of help? It’s not like there are so many people we can trust. And it’s not like that many people are jumping at the idea of flying straight into the Wilds. Not with the shit that goes on down there.” Ian is pacing the bridge now, freaking out. The man can’t stay still when he’s tense. I’m pretty sure he wore a new groove in the days before we liberated Kali from the palace.
Which means there won’t be a more ideal time to toss my idea into the pot and see just how desperate they are.
But before I can speak, Kali moves forward. “Could we hire people? Mercenaries, maybe?”
Ian shakes his head. “We don’t have any money.”
“Would this help?” She reaches into her pocket and pulls out a handful of jewelry, all pretty and sparkly. She pushes it into Ian’s hands. “I brought whatever I could. I thought it might be useful.”
Ian stares at his hands for a moment, like he can’t believe what he’s seeing.
“And there’s the dress as well.” She waves a hand down at the purple dress she came back to us with, its hem encrusted with gemstones.
Ian looks at Max, and I guess they’re doing that mind-talking thing, because Max shakes his head. Honestly, I can’t believe I didn’t pick up on it earlier. It’s not that subtle.
“Thanks, Princess. But it won’t work. It’s too dangerous. I don’t know of anyone who will go into the Wilds, even for this.” He tries to hand the jewels back to her, but she shakes her head, and he shoves them in his pocket.
