Page 57 of Sawoots Story

They’re the best three guys I’ve ever met. I have to risk it. I have to take a chance on them…

If we can get out of here alive.

The holographic projection shows Aelon’s triad in miniature. Vinicus’s rough face softens. “Thank the Gods! You’re alive.”

The feed flickers, the shapes going in and out of existence. Aurelians pass behind Aelon’s triad, and I keep my eyes peeled, trying in vain to find Garrick.

“I’m alive,” answers Tasha. “Aelon, there’s a Toad mothership coming your way that has some sort of blocking device,” Tasha pleads. “You need to evacuate before they get here!”

“Do you think I fear a Toad mothership?”

The hatred in Aelon’s voice dashes my hopes that he’ll try to escape. The Aurelian captain has a death wish. I just need to stop him from signing the warrant of my triad and the rest of my crew. Any Aurelian foolish enough to follow him into battle deserves to die.

Or any man too honorable for his own good.

I cringe, knowing Garrick places duty and honor above even his own life.

“Aelon, their ship isthree timesthe size ofThe Instigator. They have a fleet of assault ships that outnumbers you ten to one. The Toads aren’t here to ambush you. It doesn’t matter how good your tactics are. They’re going todestroyyou.”

My stomach roils as Tasha spells out the facts. Unless she can get Aelon to back down, then Garrick, Markrin and Tar’ank will follow their captain into battle.

“They’ll kill you, Aelon. They’ll kill you and your battle-brothers, and every Aurelian onThe Instigator. They’ll shoot down every Reaver and slaughter every soldier you have. Then, they’ll massacre the humans you swore to protect just to cover the traces of their crime.”

I picture the hundreds of attack ships swarmingThe Instigatorwhile the mothership demolishes the mining camps. Dread fills me as I understand that the three men who care deeply for me are going to be turned to dust unless Tasha can make her case.

Otherwise I have to get onto the ship and convince them myself.

Iunia steps forward. He’s come to the same realization as me, and I see why Tasha thinks he’s the smartest. “Aelon,” he rasps. His voice is harsh. “Aelon, she speaks the truth.”

Tasha flicks her hand, making the holograph bigger. The near-life-sized form of the triad fills the bridge. The hatred in his eyes tells me everything I know. “We need tomove. The moon is the key to this battle. I’ll concealThe Instigatorbehind it, so they think we received advanced warning and retreated.” His lips curl. “Then, we’ll haveonechance to cripple that mothership before they even realize my play.”

He’s not thinking about his men.

He’s thinking about the Toads he can kill.

Tasha slams her fist against the controls—hard. “Aelon! That’s madness! If they registerThe Instigator, you’ll be backed up against that moon—they’ll have you cornered!”

Could it work?

The Toads are expecting an ambush. They’re expecting to blunt the long-range sensors ofTheInstigatorand attack an unsuspecting force. Now that he’s been warned of the coming battle, Aelon’s mad plan could succeed…

“You’ll haveonechance to beat them, Aelon! Once your cover is blown, you’ll be dead in the water. Therehasto be a better way.”

There’s a flash of unease on Aelon’s normally stoic face. He usually acts without thought, so sure of himself that his decisions are instant. He took the head off a triad of his most loyal men without hesitation. Now he’s unsure.

If he’s doubting himself?

The odds of his chances of succeeding just dropped. We need to force him to see reason.

“If we hide on the moon’s surface,” he explains, “the Toads will attack the mining camps. We have enough triads on the surface, manning anti-air batteries we’ve already set up, to hit themhard. Then, as they’re in disarray, we’ll useThe Instigatorto cut them off from behind. They’ll be pinned between us—and we’ll blast them while they shift power from their forward shields to their rear ones.”

The mere fact that Aelon shares his plan instead of acting on it means he doesn’t trust it.

I thank the Gods he’s Bonded to Tasha. It’s the only thing making him hesitate before taking his suicidal gamble to eradicate Toads.

“That’s supposing they bring the mothership in close enough to the planet, Aelon. You know Toads. They may hang back and send in wave after wave of assault ships.” Tasha puts another chink into his plan, breaking it down piece by piece with logic.

Iunia scowls, baring his teeth. Nervousness is painted on his face, and Aelon turns to him. “Is any bet safe enough, now?” Aelon speaks directly to his triad, and Iunia just shrugs.

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