Aurora Rising (The Aurora Cycle #1)(109)

“G-get th-them out of here, Tyler,” she breathes, teeth clenched. “Auri, especially. It would have killed you all to stop her finding this place. But now she’s here … you … can’t let it t-take her.”

“Cat …”

“I can f-feel it.” She shakes her head, tears spilling down her cheeks. “I can feel it inside me, Ty. For the love of the Maker … get … get her out of h-here.”

My hands are shaking and I can’t breathe fast enough. I can’t talk, the sobs rising up in my throat to choke me. But Zila says what I’m thinking.

“But the star map inside the Trigger led us here,” she objects.

“Don’t you unders … understand?” Cat shakes her head, spine arching again. “W-wasn’t an invitation. It-t-t w-was a warning. …”

She falls silent, closing her eyes, shivering as if she has a fever. I look to my brother, see his face is pale as old bones. I can see the desperation in his eyes. The hurt. The same sinking feeling that’s building inside my own chest. There’s nothing usable in this med center. We have hostile inbounds—GIA agents in their faceless gray armor and who knows what else. He has to prioritize. He has to put the needs of the group before his own feelings. That’s what good leaders do.

He meets my eyes. And I speak to him without having to say a word.

Show the way, baby brother.

He reaches into the utility belt on Cat’s suit, grabs her uniglass, and speaks into squad chat. “Kal, what’s your status?”

“We were unsuccessful at the spaceport,” our Tank replies. “But Finian says he can synthesize the necessary components for a new Longbow core if he has access to the colony reactor. We are headed there now.”

“Is everyone okay?”

Kal’s voice lowers, as if he doesn’t want to be overheard.

“Aurora is … unsettled. We encountered more colonists, infected with the same ailment as the chimps. One spoke of … spawning?”

“Yessss,” Cat sighs, writhing on the floor.

I take her hand and she opens her eyes and looks at me. I want to look away from that unnatural color, those flower-shaped pupils. But instead I squeeze my roomie’s fingers, muster a smile.

Tyler takes a shaky breath. “We suspect at least one GIA agent was on that transport—it must have been from the Bellerophon. They’re inbound on our position.”

“The colony reactor is the most heavily fortified structure in the settlement, sir. If we are planning a defense, we should gather there.”

“Roger that, we’ll head to you.”

“I will have deterrent recommendations ready for you when you arrive.”

“We’ll be there ASAP.” He swallows thickly. “Kal … tell everyone to mind the integrity of their biosuits. Under no circumstances are you to allow anyone’s gear to breach, is that understood?”

“Zero, is she—”

“Just get it done, Legionnaire. We’ll be there soon. Tyler, out.”

Ty taps the uni, kneels beside Cat. Putting her arm over his shoulder, he scoops her up. But Cat shakes her head, places one hand on his chest.

“N-no … ,” she whispers. “Leave me, Ty.”

He raises that scarred eyebrow of his, and for a second, the charmer in him rises to the surface. “I didn’t know you were trying out for the comedy circuit?”

“I’m … serious,” she breathes. “Let me g-go.”

“No way.” He lifts her up and stands in one easy movement, Cat cradled in his arms. Her head lolls back, her body limp. But with visible effort, she pulls herself up so she can look him in the eye.

“I c-can see it, Ty,” she whispers. “And it can see all of you … th-through me.” She shakes her head, a kind of wonder creeping into her voice. “It’s so big, Ty. It’s so b-big and I’m falling into it and you have to let me g-go.”

“No,” he says.

“Please,” she begs.

“You listen to me, Brannock,” Ty says, his voice hard as steel despite the tears shining in his eyes. “We are the Aurora Legion, and we do not leave our people behind. Do you understand me?”

She licks her lips, eyes slipping closed.

“Legionnaire Brannock, I asked you a question!” he shouts.

Cat’s eyes flutter open and she draws a deep, shivering breath.

“Furthermore,” Ty continues, in his best parade-ground voice, “I shouldn’t have to remind you that I’m your superior officer. So if you’re considering laying down here, if you even think of cashing out on this drop, I’m going to kick your ass so hard the lump in your throat will be my fucking heel, is that understood?”

Tyler Jones, Squad Leader, First Class, doesn’t curse. Tyler Jones doesn’t do drugs or drink or do anything we mere mortals do for fun. I can’t remember the last time I heard him swear. I doubt Cat can, either.

“Is that understood?” Ty roars.

The words have the desired effect. Cat swallows hard and some focus returns to her eyes. Her grip on his shoulder tightening as she whispers.

“S-sir, y …”

“I can’t hear you, Legionnaire Brannock!”

Cat blinks hard, slowly nods. “Sir, yes sir.”