As he turned and walked away, Angelika looked up once again to the flags over the administrative center. She breathed deeply, freely, for what felt like the first time in a decade.
“The soil has transferred hands, but it is still not ours,” a low voice came from behind her. She turned to see Ah’J Maboda, his resplendent blue and purple robes swaying in the breeze.
“It will be soon, Ah’J,” she replied, waving her hands at the Marines scurrying about. “This is only temporary.”
The Jidoan looked up at the flags, grunted, then looked back to Angelika. “I wish I could believe you. My people will not be happy until all the offworlders have left. That will also include Sector Command personnel.”
“Meaning me, too?” she baited.
“You have helped to usher in Inanna, Agent Angelika Jordan. You defeated the tyrant Krador. Your name is spoken with honor, and will be for as long I am Ah’J.”
Maboda didn’t need to say it, and Angelika knew that his people were ready to begin rebuilding their lives without any outside assistance…including that of former OSI agents. “I couldn’t have done it without your help, or that of the Sanissarics or the Kinetics.”
“Nor could we have done this without you.” He bowed his head graciously. “If I may be bold enough to speak from my people, I give you our thanks, Agent Angelika Jordan.”
She reached out her hand. Maboda regarded it for a moment before taking it in his own. “It’s just Angelika now.”
Traitor Winds - Kestrel Saga: Vol. 0 (Kestrel Saga - Origins) Page 20
