Page 56 of Honor Bound

Julia nodded and carried their food and drinks to the table. He followed her. Her face lit up as she thought about his question, and Roan found himself captivated by her expressions—so open, so honest.

“We each brought something unique to the team. It’s surprising in many ways. I think the second Project Gliese team was actually better suited for the mission than the first in many ways, especially considering what has happened since we went through the gateway,” Julia said, settling into her chair. “Josh was the serious one—grounded and steady. He could connect details that others missed and make them fit like puzzle pieces. He also made you feel like you could accomplish anything. And he cared. You knew he cared not just about the mission, but about those who were there with him.”

Roan nodded thoughtfully. A leader who inspired trust instead of fear. Not the usual training tactic for the Legion. The Legion inspired loyalty, but only because the consequences would be fatal to those who weren’t.

“Then there is Ash,” Julia continued, “He balanced Josh perfectly. More daring, willing to push boundaries and question everything. He was also the best pilot I’ve ever seen—always one step ahead, anticipating what others needed before they even realized it themselves.”

“Better than I am?” Roan teased, raising an eyebrow.

Julia chuckled. “I’ll have to see you in action before I decide, General. But Ash did set the bar pretty high.”

Roan took a bite of his food, filing that away as a challenge. “And Sergi? What’s his story?”

Julia laughed, shaking her head. “Sergi… He’s fearless. The kind of person who can make you laugh even when everything is falling apart. I swear he could build an engine out of a paperclip and a rubber band if that was all he had. His humor is a very deceptive shield, though. He’s deadly—one of the most skilled and creative people I’ve ever met.”

Roan had seen both characteristics in the man in the short time he had known him. His respect for Sergi grew. It was a rare combination of sharp wit and lethal precision that made him glad Sergi was on his side and not his father and uncle’s. Something told him that even a Turbinta assassin would be hard pressed to match the man’s skills.

“And your other companion. Mei?”

Julia’s expression softened, and a flicker of worry crossed her face. The shift was subtle but unmistakable.

“She’s the only one we haven’t found,” Julia said quietly. “The universe is a big place, but… I hope she survived. Sergi said they found her escape pod but it was empty—well, sort of. I guess there was an alien inside it. The video Sergi saw showed she was alive, but—” She shook her head. “I would like to know what happened to her.”

Roan’s chest tightened at the raw emotion in her voice. He made a mental note to ask Dorane if he’d heard anything about Mei. Dorane had connections in places most couldn’t even imagine. If Mei was out there, he’d know or could find out.

“She was our anchor,” Julia said, her voice full of warmth. “Quiet and brilliant. The only one of us who left a family behind. Mei reminded us why our mission mattered—she brought the humanity to everything we did. She kept us grounded.”

Roan watched her closely, intrigued by the depth of her connection to her crew. He’d never had that kind of bond with anyone, except perhaps Dorane.

Dorane LeGaugh… Roan’s thoughts drifted briefly to the enigmatic man. If anyone could help them now, he would be the one. Dorane had always been unpredictable—a mix of ruthless pragmatism and surprising loyalty. Their relationship was complicated, born out of mutual respect, shared battles, and a thread of common circumstances.

Inexplicably, Dorane’s eyes during their last visual conversation had unsettled him. The way they kept flicking off-screen, as if something—or someone—was commanding his attention. Roan’s instincts told him that Dorane was in deeper trouble than he was willing to admit.

“And you?” Roan asked, bringing himself back to the present. “What did you bring to the team?”

Julia laughed, shaking her head. “Out of the five of us, I was probably the naivest—and definitely the least qualified. No military training, no special combat skills… I was just the dreamer, the same as my father, with a PhD and a lot of book sense.”

Roan leaned back, a slow smile spreading across his face. “You’re not doing half bad for a dreamer. You managed to escape both the Legion and the Gallant without military training. That’s impressive.”

Julia sighed, her expression turning wistful. “My dream was to find out if humans were alone in the universe. That’s what drove me, what got me through the tough times. And now that I’ve found my answer… I’m not sure what my next dream is supposed to be.”

Roan’s stomach twisted at her words. He couldn’t shake the thought that her dream might turn into a nightmare if they weren’t careful.

“Well,” he said after a moment, his tone deliberately light, “if you’re out of dreams, maybe it’s time to borrow one of mine.”

Julia arched an eyebrow. “And what’s your dream, General?”

“To survive,” Roan said simply, his voice low but steady. “To make sure you do, too.”

Their eyes met, a silent understanding passing between them. Julia’s lips curved into a soft smile, her eyes warm and full of unspoken trust. “That’s a dream I can get behind.”

Roan chuckled, raising his metal cup in a silent toast. “Then here’s to survival—and to new dreams.”

Julia clinked her metal cup against his, the tension easing into something lighter, warmer—a quiet partnership forged in trust and shared purpose.

Dorane’s face flashed briefly in Roan’s mind again. He made a mental note to stay on guard. Whatever storm was brewing on Cryon II, they were walking straight into it.

And this time, there was far more at stake than just his own life.

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