*
Olympia rose up in flight with Marco and Tadiero at the controls.
David and Ottolivi, standing inside the bridge, watched the planet Arkass move away from the horizon.
Alannah, next to Kalberham sitting on the bridge, looked at Patrik and then looked away every time his gaze crossed hers. She still didn’t know how she would deal with that situation, but she certainly would never give up on him.
Patrik turned and saw that someone was missing.
«Sorry, where's Maliki?» he asked.
«She didn’t want to come. She says she prefers to be with her people» Alannah replied.
Kaira squeezed Patrik's hand and looked at him.
«Let's go back» he ordered, and Marco whirled around.
«Patrik, are you crazy? She said she doesn’t want to come and we cannot force her» Kalberham replied.
«I made a promise and I never fail in my promises. Let's go back».
The Solaryan still looked at him, but then gave up. Lokkar had done a great thing. He understood the terrestrial boy well. And then he had learned that nothing happened by chance.
«All right. Let's go back» he said.
«Yes, sir» Marco thundered, smiling as he made a tight turn.
Maliki walked out of the building and the Olympia landed beside her.
Patrik and Kaira got out and joined her.
She was amazed to see them there again.
«I promised someone I'd take care of you».
«I don’t need anyone's help» she replied with her usual pride.
«Maliki, I will force the Code. A long journey awaits me before this happens. I need your help, I need something of him to accompany me».
Kaira took her hand and smiled at her.
She looked at Patrik and sighed. Maybe Lokkar wanted it, she thought.
«And then I think my friend is dying for you to come with us» he added, smiling and winking at her.
«The soggy» Kaira said, and they both laughed as Patrik watched them without understanding.
They climbed the ramp.
«Captain, I ask permission to come on board» Maliki said, arrivingat the bridge.
«Permission granted. And now, if we are all here, I would say let’s sail» said Kalberham, somewhat amused.
«You owe me a favor, Marco Almisi» Patrik told as he approached him.
Marco smiled without taking his eyes off the controls.
«If I remember correctly, I persuaded your mischievous princess to get on the Olympia, on Eta Carinae».
«Right! And you played the Angelica card, if I remember correctly too».
«In war and in love everything is permissible, Jones».
«Atmosphere!» said Tadiero aloud.
«Flexion ready, sir» Marco answered in front of a sea of stars.
Patrik Jones and the Code of the Universe Page 37
