Aurora Rising (The Aurora Cycle #1)(44)

“Computer,” I call. “Replay bridge security camera footage, 01:29 ship time.”

The computer beeps, the central display begins to play the sec-reel. Aurora watches, going perfectly still as she sees herself walk onto the bridge, lift her hand as her eye starts to glow, and slam my projection back into the bulkhead.

“Ezigolopai,” the recording says in that strange, warbling voice. “Emevigrof.”

“I don’t …” Aurora shakes her head, looks with growing panic to Tyler. “I don’t remember doing any of that.”

“How convenient,” Cat says.

“Very,” I say.

“Auri, why did you mess with the navcom?” Tyler asks, his voice flat and hard. “Why do you want to go to Sempiternity?”

She shakes her head and whispers. “What’s Sempiternity?”

“Wait.”

All eyes turn to Zila. She’s playing idly with the tiny knife on one of her earrings, dark stare fixed on the security footage projection.

“Computer, replay footage in reverse. Real time. Include audio.”

The computer complies with a small beep, and we watch the figure of Aurora at the pilot’s console, typing backward. The rivulets of blood run back up her chin, into her nose. My discarded disruptor springs back up into my hand. And Aurora glances up at me and speaks in that strange, warbling voice. Only this time, the audio file is playing backward.

“Forgiveme,” she says. “Iapologize.”

Zila blinks at the recording. “Computer, replay sequence 02:43 to 02:52.”

The footage skips to Aurora standing in front of me, pointing to herself, her face twisted with concentration.

“T-t-ttrig-ggerrrrr,” she says. “Trigg—”

“Trigger,” Zila repeats, head tilted.

“What does that mean?” Tyler asks her.

Our science officer turns to regard Aurora with her dark eyes.

“I have no idea, sir. But I am certain that Commander de Stoy placed Aurora in our keeping for a reason. In my opinion, we should maintain course.”

“For what it’s worth, I think I agree with the tiny lunatic, Goldenboy,” Finian pipes in over comms. “This is getting kinda interesting.”

“I’m sure the thought of the court-martial waiting for us back at Aurora station has no bearing on your decision, Finian?” Tyler asks.

“None whatsoever, sir.”

Tyler sighs, turns to me. It might sound like a little thing, but this is one of the main reasons my baby brother was the best Alpha in the academy. It’s also one of the main reasons I never smothered him in his sleep. He’s never afraid to ask advice when he needs it.

I think of the peeled-open door to the makeshift brig. Of the thin hull that protects us from the black waiting outside.

“I say we go back to the academy,” I say. “If we talk to Command, maybe there’s some way to salvage this. We’re in over our heads here.”

“Damn straight we are,” Cat growls. “I say give her to the G-men.”

“Need I remind you all of Commander de Stoy’s warning to us?” Kal asks. “She said ‘The cargo you carry is more precious than any of you can know.’ ” The Syldrathi looks Ty in the eye. “Admiral Adams spoke directly to you, sir. He said you must believe. What else could he have meant, if not this?”

Tyler chews his lip in thought.

But it’s Aurora who speaks. “I want to g-go home.” Tears begin welling in her eyes, and though she struggles to maintain her composure, it’s crumbling anyway. She looks up at Tyler, her voice shaking. “I’m not s-supposed to be here.”

And even though she almost killed me, looking down at this poor girl, I can’t help but feel a swell of sympathy for her. I put a hand on her shoulder, squeeze it gently as she hangs her head, tears pattering on her lap.

“It’s okay, Aurora.”

“I want to wake up,” she whispers fiercely. “I want to wake up on Octavia III l-like I was supposed to.”

Zila tilts her head. “The Hadfield expedition was bound for Lei Gong III, and—”

“No, it wasn’t!” Aurora insists, a fire lighting in her tear-filled eyes as she glares at us. “I’m telling you, we were headed for Octavia! I spent years studying every centimeter of the planet, I know which one it was! I don’t know why they’re trying to wipe away any trace of it, any trace of me, but that’s what’s happening here.”

Cat rolls her eyes at the outburst, drumming her fingers on her console. Kal folds his arms, his customary Syldrathi callousness falling into place at the display of oh, so human emotion. But Aurora doesn’t seem to care.

“I w-want to go ho-ome,” she repeats, the tears resurging as she abandons the attempt to hold herself together. “I want my family back. I didn’t ask for any of this! I didn’t ask for any of it and I want to go HOME!”

Tyler watches the girl break down, and I can see his heart in his throat. The questions in his eyes. Truth is, none of us know what the hells we’re doing out here. De Stoy and Adams might have sent this girl with us for a reason. But Tyler was raised to play it by the book, and I can see how badly this is eating him. The thought that we’re wanted criminals, probably suspected for the murder of our own people.