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  “You’re riding back here,” he said, indicating the two rows of passenger seats.

  Stung by his refusal to allow her in the cockpit, Athee dropped into the seat closest to the open hatch. Byron waited until her harness was secure before exiting the craft. Puzzled by his behavior, Athee leaned to her left and peered out the hatch. The pilot strode across the hanger to his Darten. Several crewmembers were examining the craft’s exterior. A man with a computer pad approached Byron. They circled the ship and paused near the tail section. She recalled Byron’s comment during battle that he was losing fuel. Even at that distance, Athee noted damage on the Darten’s surface. His little fighter had taken a beating.

  Byron took his time and Athee started to fidget. Her nerves had settled, but the confines of the harness caused her to grow restless. Leaning over to peer out again, she noticed Byron crossing the hanger. The pilot’s long stride revealed his aggravation even more than the scowl on his face. Sitting straight in her seat, she waited quietly while he boarded and closed the hatch. Without even so much as a glance in her direction, Byron entered the cockpit. He prepared the shuttle for flight in silence.

  Athee sensed the teleporter as they jumped. Her heart ached to share the experience; however, she didn’t dare tap into the device. As the hum faded from her mind, she wondered if that wouldn’t be the only thing now silent in her thoughts. What if Byron never spoke to her again? The commander forbade training on the shuttle, but what if the Cassan pilot ceased all psychic instruction? The loss of access to the teleporter now paled in comparison to the absence of Byron’s voice in her head.

  The shuttle came to a gentle rest and Byron shut off the engines. The absence of sound sent a shockwave through Athee’s body. Fighting to control the emotions that swelled within, she unfastened the harness with trembling fingers. Free from the restraints, she leaned forward and stared at her shaking hands. Byron entered the main cabin and light flooded the shuttle as he opened the hatch. The finality of the moment was the crushing blow. Unable to hold back the tide, Athee covered her eyes and let out a sob.

  She kept her tears brief. Aware that Byron continued to wait by the door, she lifted her head. His arms were crossed as he leaned against the wall of the shuttle, affecting an air of closed indifference. The pilot stared out the hatch and did not meet her eyes as Athee rose to her feet. Troubled by his lack of response, she made one last effort to reach out to the man.

  “Byron…” she began, her voice cracking from the effort.

  “We’ll discuss it tomorrow,” he answered, not bothering to turn his head.

  Shoulders slumped in defeat, she moved toward the open hatch. Pausing at the open ramp, Athee glanced at Byron, but his eyes remained fixed on the open desert beyond the runway. Grasping the frame of the hatch, she lowered her chin in shame.

  “I couldn’t just sit there and listen to you die,” she whispered.

  Athee didn’t wait for a response. There wouldn’t be one anyway. Bolting down the ramp, she trotted across the runway and into the closest hanger. Athee ignored those she passed, too caught up in her own agonizing thoughts. She’d lost an incredible opportunity, although it paled next to the possible outcome of today’s battle.

  I didn’t want to lose you as well, Athee thought, muffling a sob as she ducked out of the hanger.

  Chapter Nine

  Feeling better after an hour on the grav court, Byron retreated to his quarters. He wanted to enjoy a meal on board the Rennather before returning to Tgren. After yesterday’s incident, he was in no hurry to depart either. What awaited him on the planet only represented more stress.

  He was finishing his meal when Korden requested his presence. Byron wondered if the commander wanted to discuss Athee’s reckless shuttle flight in detail. He prepared his thoughts for such a conversation. After a good night’s sleep, he felt rational and able to converse on the subject.

  Korden was on his feet when he arrived, and Byron remained standing. “You wanted to see me, sir?”

  “Yes,” the commander answered, setting his computer pad on the desk. “The crew chief informed me that he may not be able to repair your Darten.”

  Byron nodded. “I spent several hours with him this morning, assisting with the repairs. The real issue is the fuel tank and our lack of proper replacement parts on board.”

  Korden’s eyebrows rose. “That type of damage usually results in a large explosion and a short memorial,” he offered in a fatherly tone. “You were damned lucky yesterday, Byron.”

  Garnce should’ve moved his ass faster, Byron thought, shielding his accusation from the commander. Shifting the blame to his fellow pilot would not fix his ship.

  “And you weren’t the only one,” the commander added.

  “Sir, I apologize for leaving her in the cockpit when those ships attacked,” Byron announced, prepared to accept full responsibility. At least Athee had hidden the source of her extensive flying knowledge. “I had no idea she’d do something so stupid.”

  “The problem is that we’ve allowed her too many liberties,” said Korden, sinking into his chair. “Damn, she teleported right out of the hanger bay. Not sure if I’d credit that to exceptional talent or blind luck.”

  “It won’t happen again, sir.”

  “No, it won’t.” Folding his hands in his lap, Korden regarded Byron with curiosity. “Have you discussed this incident with her?”

  “No sir, I was too angry yesterday,” he answered, recalling the fury that gripped him when the shuttle materialized outside the open bay. “I didn’t say a word to her.”

  “I suggest you find time to discuss it today. She needs to understand the dangers involved. Athee’s still too valuable to risk, even for someone like yourself.”

  The commander’s choice of words puzzled him. “I’m not sure I follow, sir.”

  “Chancellor Dentex has taken a special interest in Athee. Our instructions are to keep this woman safe. If we can persuade her to return with us to Cassa, along with any others who show strong psychic aptitude, then it would provide proof that not only do Tgrens possess equal powers, but that dormant abilities might lie within our people as well.”

  Byron shifted his stance. “Her uncle would never agree to that,” he said in a low voice.

  Korden’s eyes narrowed. “You let me worry about Orellen. You maintain communication with that Tgren woman, understood? Keep her close and involved.”

  Byron struggled to keep from laughing. “Sir, are you suggesting I build a relationship with the woman?”

  “No, I’m suggesting you maintain that relationship, Byron. Right now, she’d follow you anywhere. Don’t blow it!”

  The commander’s orders gnawed at his thoughts all the way to the planet’s surface. He’d held Athee at a distance under the guise of maintaining a professional relationship. Now the commander wanted him to pursue further involvement. What excuse could he use now to prevent mental contact? And what did the commander mean when he said Athee would follow him anywhere?

  Damn it, you don’t need this in your life right now, Byron thought as he landed the shuttle.

  He entered the hanger at a rapid pace. Out of the corner of his eye, he spotted a familiar figure standing in the shadows to his left. Surprised to find Athee waiting, he moved closer and grasped the edge of the hanger door. Now that he was in her presence, Byron had no idea what to say.

  Athee crossed her arms and shifted her weight. “I didn’t know if we were cancelling this afternoon’s session, too,” she explained, her voice low.

  “No, just this morning’s flight training. I had work to do aboard the Rennather.”

  She nodded. “What else can you teach me?”

  “We can continue fine-tuning the skills you possess,” Byron offered.

  He spied several crates stacked against the wall. Indicating his preference, Byron waited until Athee was seated before selecting a crate opposite the woman. He told Athee they would continue practicing the relay of information through ima
ges. Considering her lack of words this afternoon, Byron felt it a wise choice.

  After fifteen minutes of fumbling, he realized her heart was not in the exercise. Her shields were locked so tight that it was difficult to connect on any level. Leaning back, he propped an arm up on a tall crate and stared at her in exasperation. Athee met his gaze for a moment and then glanced away, her head down. Byron decided it was futile to persist with the session while she remained in this state of mind.

  “You want to talk about yesterday?” he said, a hint of reluctance in his voice. “All right, you start.”

  Her mouth opened and she stared at him. Eyes dropping, Athee crossed her arms across her chest.

  “Byron, I’m sorry,” she whispered. “I just wanted to help you.”

  “By jumping the shuttle into battle when you barely know how to fly?”

  “I know it was foolish. But I couldn’t simply sit there and do nothing. Not while you were in danger. I felt helpless and it was tearing me up!”

  Athee’s short verbal burst caused her shields to falter. He perceived her agony and fear. Fueling those feelings was something even stronger. It was the deeper emotional current that caused him to pause. He couldn’t ignore the real reason for her rash actions. Rubbing his forehead, he lowered his head and closed his eyes. Byron considered his next words with care.

  “And do you have any idea what it felt like to see your shuttle appear? And to see two rogue ships pursue it at once?” Byron dropped his hand, the sight still fresh in his thoughts. “I thought for sure you were dead.”

  She shifted on her crate. He opened his eyes and she leaned a little closer. Athee’s fearful thoughts began to settle.

  “Damn it, you’re important to a lot of people. Your powers are vital to the development of your people, not to mention your relationship with us. Losing you now would be detrimental.”

  He sensed only emptiness within Athee. His words brought no comfort. Reaching deep for the strength to disclose his feelings, Byron cleared his throat.

  “And you’re important to me.”

  A spike of emotions shot from Athee before she suppressed the energy. Byron lifted his chin and noted the look of surprise on her face. However, more than astonishment radiated from her thoughts; he sensed relief and validation.

  “You’re important to me, too,” Athee said in a hushed tone.

  She stretched out her arm, and her fingers grasped his hand. He allowed their fingers to intertwine, aware Athee needed physical contact. The glow returned to her eyes and a smile crept across her face. Feeling the genuine affection in her touch and thoughts, Byron permitted a grin to tug at his lips. Their exchange subdued his remaining traces of anger regarding the incident with the shuttle, and it receded to the depths of his mind.

  Feeling vulnerable from their brief moment of candor, he patted her hand and released it. Leaning back, he noticed two engineers milling around the far hanger entrance. Their current location provided little privacy. Byron sighed and redirected his attention back to Athee.

  “Sorry we can’t use my shuttle,” he said.

  Athee pressed her lips into a thin line and nodded. “I’m not supposed to step aboard a Cassan vessel.”

  “Yes, and for good reason.”

  Her chin dropped. Guilt radiated from her thoughts, and he regretted his harsh words.

  “I’m going to miss flying with you, too,” Byron admitted, his eyes on his hands as he rubbed them together.

  “We can still fly together.”

  “How?”

  Athee’s smile returned. “You forget I’m a pilot with a ship, too.”

  Byron laughed. “I wouldn’t call it a ship.”

  Her palm came down with force on his thigh. Byron exclaimed aloud at the vigorous snap. He stared at her in surprise. Athee’s eyes narrowed and she pointed a finger at her instructor.

  “You’ve never flown with me in my fighter.”

  “No, I haven’t.”

  “You got to show off your Darten. It’s time I got to demonstrate my abilities in a Tgren fighter.”

  Byron stared at her in disbelief. Athee grasped his hand and leapt to her feet. Dragging Byron behind her, she led him from the main hanger to a smaller one further down the flight strip. He eyed the small planes that filled the hanger with trepidation. Athee rummaged through a row of beaten lockers. She pulled out a leather flight cap similar to her own. Twirling it once on her finger, she tossed it to Byron.

  “I don’t think this will really help if we crash,” he teased, pulling the flimsy cap over his head.

  Athee ignored his comment. She strode to a plane in the first row, running her hand across the nose. She opened the door and gestured toward the space behind the pilot’s seat. “Get in.”

  Byron approached the plane and glanced at the small space. “It’s not even a real seat,” he protested, flashing a look of defiance.

  “It’ll do,” she snapped. “Besides, I’ve carried passengers before.”

  “Did they live?”

  Athee placed her hand on his shoulder and gave Byron a shove. Feeling apprehensive, he pulled his body into the cramped quarters behind the pilot’s seat. His torso fit, but he was at a loss when it came to his long legs. Athee pulled herself into the seat, facing Byron, and grabbed one of his feet from the side. Forcing him to extend his legs, she pulled each foot forward and rested it on the edge of her seat. Turning to face the nose of the plane, she settled in her seat. With great force, she slammed the door.

  Byron wiggled his body, adjusting his position. He could either lean all the way back, which cramped his neck, or lean forward and grasp Athee’s seat. Choosing the latter, he braced himself as she started the engine.

  “I’m going to die back here, aren’t I?”

  “Keep asking me that and I might consider it,” she said as the plane rolled out of the hanger.

  Recalling his first experience in a Tgren plane, Byron braced himself for a bumpy ride. Athee kept the jostling to a minimum as the craft raced down the runway. The nose edged skyward and he dug his fingers into the seat cushion as the tiny plane surged into the sky. The sound of wind whistling under the wings began to drown out the noise from the engines, but neither covered Athee’s mental cry of joy as the plane soared over the valley.

  Any planes in the air this afternoon? Byron thought, scanning the skies.

  Two are patrolling south of our position, so we’ll head north. The plane tilted to their right as she changed heading. Maybe I can show you a portion of our world you’ve not seen yet.

  The craft continued to rise in altitude. Athee leveled the plane and Byron felt the difference in wind pressure at once. She’d risen above the stronger currents that buffeted the afternoon air every day. Her equipment might lack in quality, but Athee was a skilled pilot.

  How long have you been flying? Byron asked, easing his hold on her seat.

  Solo? Since I was sixteen. My father taught me the basics. He took me out every day, just the two of us, Athee thought, a hint of melancholy in her mental voice

  An earlier comment from Illenth resurfaced in his mind. Your father’s gone, isn’t he?

  Yes. He was killed during the Bshen War, she thought, glancing back at her passenger. Byron’s position behind her seat placed his head to the side of hers, and he caught Athee’s controlled expression. The Bshens reside across the great lake. They attacked several of our neighbors before invading our land. We beat them back, but many lost their lives, including my father.

  I’m sorry.

  Me too. I miss my father. However, he did inspire me to become a pilot. I joined the air regiment shortly after his death and was flying solo within a few months. It’s all I’ve ever wanted to do.

  All I ever wanted to do as well, Byron thought, peering out the window.

  Athee shifted in her seat. He sensed her mood alter as well. Byron noticed several rows of low mountains in the distance and realized that was her destination. On cue, the plane began to descend. She
lined their approach with the first narrow valley.

  Time for some fun! she cried, increasing the plane’s speed.

  The uneven mountaintops rose at an alarming speed and Byron gripped her seat even tighter. The engines screamed as she darted into the valley, the left wing tip reaching out to touch the red rock. Tilting the plane, Athee raced through the narrow passage at an angle. Feeling his body slide, Byron’s right arm braced against the craft’s interior. He held his breath as the scenery raced by at frightening pace.

  The plane edged skyward. It shot out of the canyon at great speed. Athee leveled their flight and continued to glide over the jagged cliffs. Byron altered his position in the makeshift seat. He realized his heart now pounded in his ears.

  Scared? Athee thought, her tone smug.

  He was not about to give her the satisfaction and shook his head. Now I know why I’m not a navigator. I prefer to be in control of my destiny.

  She laughed and guided the plane’s course for another run through the mountains. Peering over Athee’s shoulder, Byron noted the narrow valley approaching. A second blind run did not sound appealing. Clutching her seat, he reached out and touched his pilot’s mind. Athee permitted Byron access to her thoughts without inhibition. Projecting her intentions, she pressed the throttle forward and dove.

  Tilting on a sharp axis, the tiny plane slipped between the rocks. Curving to the right, Athee followed the course of the valley. The rough outcroppings raced overhead in a flash of dusty red as the vessel angled on its side. Byron caught a twist to the left in her mind before the curve of the mountain and prepared himself. The passageway narrowed and Athee dropped even closer to the ground. The sky vanished as the plane hugged the contour of the landscape. Caught up in the thrill, Byron’s adrenaline levels accelerated to match hers, fueling the excitement further. For a brief moment, their minds locked in the ecstasy of flight.

  Rounding a final curve, the tiny plane began to rise. The cloudless sky came into view once more as the craft climbed. It burst from the confines of the mountains and the cockpit filled with rays of sunshine. Athee released an exclamation of joy that was seconded by Byron.