by Rachel Aukes
When Sixx didn’t speak, Reyne turned to find him leaning against the wall, thinking.
“You okay?” Reyne asked.
Sixx looked up. “Are you sure you’re good with us leaving during the Campaign?”
“Yes,” he replied, “Unequivocally. The Campaign is over, at least for us. It’s up to Seda to handle the politics. Besides, it’s long past time we focus on finding Throttle and Qelle. After that, we’ll see which direction the wind blows us.”
Sixx gave him a sideways glance before agreeing. He pushed off from the wall. “I guess I’d better say my goodbyes.”
Sixx headed off the ship, and Reyne shifted his concentration back to his pre-flight checks. While he was scanning systems, a small ship docked next to him. A Chital, if he wasn’t mistaken. He’d never seen it around before. Something tickled at his curiosity, and he paused the scans and casually strolled outside and toward the other ship.
The Chital’s door opened when he’d reached halfway between the two ships, and a pretty woman—though looking quite disheveled—stepped out, holding a hand of a little girl who clutched a teddy bear in her other hand. The woman looked around, and when she saw Reyne, she called out, “Hey, you. I need a wheelchair over here. Can you find me one?”
His jaw slackened, and his entire body froze. He couldn’t even breathe. One step moved him forward, then the next. Soon, he was running up the ramp and into the ship. The ship was so small it only had a cockpit area with living space around it. His gaze fell instantly on the black-haired woman in a long gown, unstrapping her seatbelt. Disappointment stung—Throttle was blond and would never be caught dead in a dress—until he realized that the way she moved was too familiar.
“Throttle?” The question came out like a plea.
She turned, and Reyne nearly collapsed.
“Reyne!” she said and held out her arms.
He ran to her and held her tight as he murmured, “I thought you were—I thought—doesn’t matter. I love you.”
“I love you, too, Dad.”
He didn’t miss the fact that she’d called him “dad.” She’d never called him dad to his face before. His eyes welled with tears that soon streamed down his cheeks. He sniffled and wiped his eyes. “Come on, let’s get you out of here.”
He lifted her from her seat and carried her off the ship and into the fresh air outside. The ship had smelled beyond ripe—the air purification system clearly needed work. Though, he realized when he carried Throttle, she hadn’t showered in a long time.
“What happened?” he asked.
“Long story,” she said. “I’ll fill you in later. Right now, I could really use some real food. Shane had only stocked cavote bars and blue tea on the ship.” She shivered. “Ten crates of cavote bars and twenty gallons of blue tea.”
When he stepped onto the dock, he saw Boden standing there, staring, slack-jawed.
“Hey, Tren,” she said with a smile.
Boden continued to stare. “You’re…” He rushed to her
Reyne grimaced. “Don’t just stand there. Go get her wheels.”
“Oh. Okay.” He ran back to the Gryphon to grab the spare wheelchair they kept in back to use whenever Throttle’s regular wheelchair went in for seat replacement and tune-up.
“You’re okay,” Reyne said. “I can’t believe you’re here—and you’re okay.” He frowned. “Why are you here? Why didn’t you go to Playa?”
Throttle winced.
“What’s wrong?” Reyne asked, suddenly worried.
She shook her head. “Nothing. Just phantom pains.”
He frowned. You haven’t had one of those in years.”
“I’ll tell you later.” She nodded toward the woman and girl standing off to the side. Reyne had completely forgotten about them. “That’s Bree, and that’s Lily.” The little girl waved when Throttle introduced her.
Boden returned with her chair. Reyne set her down, and Boden immediately embraced her. “I thought I lost you,” he said softly, though loud enough Reyne could hear.
“I’m not that easy to get rid of,” she said, still holding him.
He pulled away, but left a hand on her shoulder, and she laid a hand over his. After a moment, he began to push her toward the hangar. Bree and Lily tagged along.
“Why didn’t you go to Playa? That was our RP,” Reyne said.
“I figured Sixx would still be on Terra.”
He furrowed his brow in confusion. “Why would it matter if Sixx was here?”
“Because Lily is Qelle’s daughter.”
Reyne stumbled before finding his pace again. “And Qelle?”
Throttle’s attention had been pulled away, and Reyne then noticed Sixx jogging over.
“Well, I’ll be a wombie’s uncle.” Sixx grinned broadly and rubbed her shoulder. “Hey, kiddo. It’s good to see you.”
“Good to see you, too, Sixx,” Throttle said.
Sixx lifted his wrist comm. “Wait. You’re wearing a dress. I need to get a picture of this.”
She hid her face. “Don’t you dare.”
“You’re Jeyde Sixx?” Bree asked.
“I am.” He squeezed Throttle’s hand, and then stepped over to meet the newcomers. “I don’t believe we’ve met.”
“No,” she said. “Throttle has been telling us about you. I’m Bree.”
Sixx took her hand and kissed the top of it. “It’s nice to meet you, Bree.” He stepped back and got down on a knee and gave Lily a big smile. “And who might—” His smile dropped at the same time he lost his speech.
Lily hugged her bear closer to her.
Several seconds passed. Then, he lifted his hand and brushed it across her cheek in the gentlest of manners. “You have your mother’s eyes.”
“And there you have it,” Throttle said. She polished off her third bottle of soda, and Birk jumped up to get her another.
After giving the new arrivals a few hours to bathe, get new clothes, and eat, it was late in the day. When they’d emerged clean and refreshed, Seda’s lounge had filled with people anxious to hear their tale. Critch and Birk arrived first, with Birk staying glued to Throttle’s side. Reyne didn’t fail to notice that Boden stayed glued on her other side. Seda and Hari came directly from the stationhouse when they heard Throttle had arrived. Several of Critch’s crew trickled in throughout the afternoon.
Throttle and Bree led the tale, with Lily providing a remark now and then. Sixx never took his eyes off Lily, and the little girl kept eyeing him with suspicion. The girl was timid, but she had a strength to her. Reyne wondered what sorts of abuses she’d seen while under the same roof as a slaver.
Throttle still had stain in her hair, though it was a lighter shade now that she’d showered. But Reyne noticed a change in her eyes that he found far more profound than the abrupt change in hair color. In her eyes, it seemed she’d aged decades. She was no longer the young woman he’d last seen on Spate. He’d seen the same change in fresh recruits before and after battle. Throttle had seen hell, and she’d be forever different.
Sixx turned to Throttle. “He won’t get away with it,” he said sternly, and everyone knew the “he” Sixx spoke of was Axos Wintsel.
“You’re damn right he won’t,” Throttle said. “We’ll both make sure of that.”
“We’ll all make sure of it,” Reyne said, “Together.”
“Together,” Bree chimed in.
“Yeah,” Lily added, and several chuckles emerged, though there was little humor to be found in the situation.
Seda stood. “You’re all welcome to stay here as long as you need. Now, I need to get back to work.” Hari stood also, and left the room with Seda.
Birk jumped up like something bit him. “I’ll be right back,” he said, and he rushed out of the lounge.
Throttle grinned, and then shook her head.
Boden whispered something in her ear, and she laughed. Then, Boden sobered. “I missed you.”
“I missed you, too,” she said.
Reyne cringed. Oh, please don’t propose to her.
Birk reached into his pocket, and Reyne wanted to cower. He’s going to propose.
Boden looked like he was about to choke.
Birk pulled out a keycard and held it up to her. Reyne audibly sighed, and he noticed Sixx raise a brow in his direction.
“Critch gave me the Scorpia,” Birk began. “But I’m no pilot. I’ve got no crew. It’s a great ship. I think we’d make a great team. I guess what I’m saying is, will you fly the Scorpia?”
She looked at him. “You want me to work for you?”
His eyes grew wide. “No! Not at all. What I meant to ask if you’d be my partner. Fifty-fifty. The Scorpia would be half yours.”
Reyne’s heart became a rock slamming inside his chest at that moment.
Throttle looked equally shocked. “You’re offering me the Scorpia?”
Birk nodded. “Yeah. I mean, we’d share it and all, but I think we’d make a good team.”
“You said that already,” she said.
He was about to say more, and then clamped his mouth shut.
Throttle spoke slowly and steadily. “That’s a big offer, Birk. A really big offer. Let me think on it tonight, okay? I’ll have an answer for you in the morning.”
Critch stood. “It’s good to have you back, Throttle.” He motioned to his guys. “My crew’s bugged you enough for one day. That especially includes you, Birk.”
“Okay,” Birk said. “I’ll stop by later.” He stood and kissed her full on the lips.
As Birk, Critch, and the rest of his crew headed toward the door, Reyne noticed the anger in Boden’s eyes. While Reyne was none too pleased with what Birk had just done, he made a mental note to caution the younger man to look out for the temperamental Alluvian.
“Hey, Critch?” Throttle called out.
Critch stopped and turned, while the rest of his crew exited.
“If I fly the Scorpia, am I on your crew, or Reyne’s crew?” she asked.
“Mine.” Critch shot a look at Reyne, who gave him his best glare. “Uh. Both crews.”
Throttle narrowed her gaze. “After the Citadel run, you made me an offer. Does that offer still stand?”
His eyes narrowed. He glanced at her legs, and then back up at her. “Of course.”
She nodded. “Thanks. I’ll let you know in the morning.”
The lounge cleared out, leaving only the Gryphon’s crew and the two newcomers, though Lily had dozed off nearly an hour ago.
Reyne turned to Throttle. “I know you like Birk, and he’s offering you quite an investment opportunity, but—”
“But you don’t want me take it,” Throttle said.
“Of course I don’t. I hope you know the Gryphon is yours if you want it.”
“I thought I was going to get the Gryphon,” Sixx chimed in.
Throttle smiled at Sixx before turning her attention back to Reyne. “You have to trust me to make the right choice. This is not a decision I’m going to make lightly.”
Throttle and Bree shared a look, and then Throttle spoke. “There’s a couple of other things I want to talk with you guys about.”
A couple of other things. Reyne looked at the woman and child, and suspected he knew exactly where Throttle was leading him.
“I’ll cut straight to the chase. I’d like to recommend Bree to join the crew.”
Reyne looked at Bree and back to Throttle. “We’re not in the charity business. Every crewmember plays a specific role.”
“Bree is a jack-of-all-trades,” Throttle said. “Really, you should’ve seen how she handled things on the Chital.”
“Sorry, darling,” Sixx said. “But I’m the jack-of-all-trades on this crew.”
Bree lifted her chin. “I also am pretty good with first aid.” After a second, she shrugged. “Medical skills were a necessity taking care of people who worked under a Wintsel. I’ve seen more cuts and broken bones in a year than you’ve seen in your life.”
“I’m not sure about that,” Reyne said.
“Not sure about giving Bree a chance, or about seeing more cuts and broken bones than you’ve seen in your life?” Throttle asked.
“Both,” Reyne said.
“At least think on it,” Throttle said. “I got to know Bree and Lily really well on the flight here. And I know Bree would fit in great on the Gryphon.”
“And you want Lily to come on board, too,” Reyne said as a matter of fact.
“You brought me on board when I was less than half her age. Lily is smart, and not afraid of anything.”
“And she’s another mouth to feed,” Reyne said. “Not to mention the Gryphon is still an active torrent ship that could find itself in a battle at any moment.”
“It wouldn’t be any worse than what she’s seen already,” Bree said.
“Then she’s likely traumatized and needs professional help,” Reyne countered.
“She’s coming with us,” Sixx said.
Reyne turned to Sixx “What did you say?”
“She’s coming with us.” He took a deep, calming breath. “I know Qelle would want me to take care of her like she was my own, and that’s damn well what I’m going to do.”
Reyne threw his hands out, knowing when he was defeated, but also not feeling entirely bad about it. “I’ve raised one daughter on that ship. Sure, why not yours?” He turned to Boden. “Are you going to bring one next?”
Boden held up his hands in surrender and shook his head.
“Then it’s settled,” Reyne said in a calmer voice. “Bree, you’re on the crew.” When she smiled, he held up a finger. “On a probationary basis. And Lily…”
He noticed the little girl was awake and now watching him. He found himself smiling at her. “Welcome to the crew.”
After another restless night, this time worrying about what decision Throttle would make, Reyne was up at dawn and waiting for his crew. He didn’t prep the Gryphon. Instead, he waited until Throttle emerged from her room.
When Birk followed, Reyne’s heart plummeted.
She saw him and turned back to Birk. “You head down. I’ll catch up.”
He kissed her, and Reyne decided he’d let Boden at the scrawny kid.
Reyne scowled at Birk as he walked down the hall, whistling. He turned back to Throttle. “He’s a pirate,” he grumbled as he walked alongside her.
“He makes me laugh,” she said.
Reyne swallowed. “You made your choice.”
“I did.”
He found a lump in his throat. “I can’t fly without you.”
“You’re a good pilot,” she said.
“Not as good as you. And that’s not what I meant.”
She sighed. “I know.” She stopped pushing her chair forward. “I have to do this. I don’t know how to explain it, but everything up here”—she waved a hand by her head—“is jumbled right now. I need different scenery until I get it worked out. I know that doesn’t make any sense.”
“It does,” he said. “After the Uprising, I was in a dark place. I couldn’t go back to where I’d been before because I’d become a different person. I felt lost. That’s when I decided to become a fringe runner. Not for the paycheck. I did it so I could get away from everyone and everything I knew before.”
“Yeah,” she said so softly he barely heard the word.
He knelt. “I don’t want you to go. Believe me, if I could get you to stay and still live with myself afterward, I would. But that’s me being selfish, and that wouldn’t be fair to you. I know this is something you’ve got to do, so I won’t stop you. But if you ever change your mind, or if you ever just need me, you know you’re never alone. No matter how far you fly or what you do, I’ll always be there. You know that, right?”
Her eyes shone with wetnes
s. “Yeah. I know.”
They hugged, this time even longer than when they’d found each other at the docks yesterday. When Reyne pulled back, he sucked in a deep breath. “So, when do you head off in the Scorpia?”
She hastily wiped a tear from her cheek. “Not for a couple weeks, at least. Remember when I popped down to Broken Mountain, not long after the Citadel was freed?”
“Of course.”
She shrugged. “Well, Critch made an offer to me during that time. He offered to pay for surgery to repair my spine. All I had to do was sign up for his crew.” She shrugged. “Flying the Scorpia counts.” She grinned. “Guess he got screwed on that deal, huh.”
Reyne shook his head and smiled. “Nah.”
The pair headed down to the dock where Sixx, Boden, Bree, and Lily were already waiting.
Boden smiled. “You’re coming with us.”
Throttle winced. “No. I’m staying.”
Boden’s face fell before he collected his emotions and forced a small nod.
Bree came over, bent down, and hugged Throttle. “Thank you.”
Lily stared at Throttle with a look like she was on the verge of tears. “You’re not coming?”
“No, honey. I have to stay here to have my legs fixed.”
Lily ran and jumped onto Throttle’s lap. “Will your legs work the next time I see you? They won’t hurt anymore?”
Throttle nodded. “We’ll dance when I see you again.”
Lily buried her face in Throttle’s neck, and they hugged. When Throttle tickled her, she laughed and jumped off.
“I’ll send you a message every day,” Lily said. “You better call.”
Throttle lifted her left arm. “As soon as I get a new wrist comm, I’ll call you all the time.”
Lily giggled, and then nestled against Bree.
Sixx came over. “I can’t believe you’re ditching us for a pirate.”
She shrugged. “It’s a step up from flying with a professional thief.”
He smiled and rubbed her head.
Throttle’s face grew serious when she looked at Lily, and she spoke in a low voice. “Axos will never stop searching for Lily.”
