Page 64 of Fire Forged

“A new beginning for us all,” she whispered, rubbing her cheek over the crown of her daughter’s head.“Lily and I are on a mission.Aren’t we, squirt?”Britt asked, trying to lighten the mood.“We’re crocheting clothes for Ollie, a stuffed elephant.”

“Oh, that sounds like a noble quest.Knights armed with crochet needles.”Mom paused, a slight frown forming.“You remember how?”

“Sort of.We tried this morning.”Britt chuckled, tossed Lily over her shoulder then spun, eliciting giggles and laughter from her ‘captive.’

“I’ll show you when I can.”Mom hummed.“Might even have a try.Something to keep my hands busy.”She glanced at the door.

“Go.”Britt nudged her chin.“Check on my stepdad.Squirt and I will follow.”When alone, Britt sank onto a chair, adjusting a heavy Lily to face her.“How do you feel about having me as a new mommy?”She tucked a stray curl behind Lily’s ear.“Mm?You can call me whatever you want, sweetheart.”

“Can I get a brother?”Lily asked, pressing her palms together.

Britt laughed.“God controls that.You’ll have to place your order with him.”

“Oh, He knows,” she sang, scampered off Britt’s lap and skipped to the door.“I’ve gotta tell Nerxie.He’s going to be so happy.”

Britt grinned and raced after Lily, eager to overhearthatconversation.His men stared at Lily when she darted around the common, calling Nerx’s name.She barreled past Britt to the communications room, her energy unparallel.This time, Britt was hot on her heels.

“I bring sad news, Operations Commander Malo,” Nerx said.

Britt lunged and caught Lily’s arm, dragging her back while pressing a finger to her lips.

“Elite Operative Ronin has been killed on an enemy’s battleship.”

“And his body?”a man asked.She had to assume it was this Malo speaking.

“Left behind,” Nerx said.“Can we retrieve it, Edon?”

“Yes and no,” Edon said, confusion in his voice.“His O.D.I.is active which is not odd for a male not dead for long.What I cannot reconcile is his request not to retrieve him.”

“He is alive?”Nerx roared.

Britt winced and hoisted Lily into her arms.

“When were you planning on telling me, Pilot?”Nerx demanded.

“My apologies, Supreme Commander,” Edon said.“It just came through.I was monitoring his O.D.I.signal as per protocol, expecting it to fade as his residual energy does.”

“Is the signal stronger than expected for a ‘dead’ male?”Malo asked.

“Yes, but too weak to port.I do have his location on theBronvolif you wish to ignore his request, Operations Commander.”

“Mm, intriguing,” Malo said.“Do as he asks, Nerx.I am most pleased the news is not as sad as expected.Informing Ambassador Brenin of the loss of his son would have fallen on the king’s shoulders.”

“Indeed.Which is why I commed you first as Ronin’s superior,” Nerx said.

Britt peeked into the room when Malo said, “Keep me posted on new developments.”

Nerx glared at Edon.“Alodon’s balls, I am pleasedandfurious with you.”

“My timing could have been better,” Edon said.

“So could Ronin’s.”Nerx smiled.“What is he up to?”

Edon shook his head.“Who can fathom how an operative’s mind works.”

“Indeed.”

Sensing an end to the conversation, Britt released a squirming Lily to run into the communications room.

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