Page 57 of Eclipse Bound
"Emergency protocol... in case of compromise... the original landing site..."
"The crash site," Lunar realized. "Where we first arrived. It’s hardly logical from a strategic point of view, but it would be something Bob and Gary would think of."
"But that's miles from here," Poppy objected. "And Milano probably has that area under surveillance, too."
"Distraction needed... divide forces..."
Eclipse's form wavered as fatigue threatened to overwhelm him again. Rowan's hand found the most substantial part of his essence, her touch somehow anchoring him.
"Rest now," she said softly. "We'll figure out the details."
Eclipse allowed himself to drift into a recovery state, his twilight essence slowly regenerating in the artificial dusk of the cabin. The conversation continued around him, Lunar and the others discussing options, but Eclipse's awareness faded in and out.
In this semi-conscious state, time lost its meaning. He existed in a liminal space between alertness and oblivion, aware only of Rowan's presence beside him, her energy signature a constant that guided his recovery.
When he next achieved full consciousness, the cabin was darker, and Rowan was asleep, her head resting on her arms at the edge of his cot. His twilight form had stabilized significantly, though still far from his full strength.
Lunar materialized from the shadows in the corner.
"You recover quickly for one so damaged," he observed quietly.
Eclipse gathered his essence into a more defined shape, enough to communicate without disturbing Rowan.
"How long do we have?"
"Four hours," Lunar replied. "The extraction window opens in three more."
Eclipse looked down at Rowan's sleeping form, her face peaceful despite the crisis surrounding them. The choice loomed before him. He could return to Zorveya as planned, fulfilling the mission parameters, or remain on Earth with Rowan.
"Milano still searching?"
Lunar nodded. "They maintain a perimeter, but have not yet detected this location. Poppy is monitoring their communications." He gestured to where Poppy sat by a small radio, headphones covering her ears.
Eclipse carefully extended his consciousness, testing the limits of his recovered strength. He was functional, though far from his full capacity. He was strong enough to travel, at least.
"The plan if Harris does not come for us?"
"Diversion at the original extraction coordinates," Lunar explained. "Poppy will trigger remote devices to simulate energy signatures. Meanwhile, we proceed to the crash site for true extraction."
It was a sound strategy, though risky. Eclipse considered the variables, the potential outcomes, and the likelihood of success.
"And if we miss the extraction?"
Lunar's shadow essence rippled, the equivalent of a shrug. "I calculate that Galaxy Alien Mail Order Brides will not want to return for at least another full planetary cycle. They will want to make sure that the danger has passed. Approximately one Earth year."
The implications settled over Eclipse. A year on Earth. A year with Rowan. The thought created a resonance he couldn't entirely suppress.
"You will go?"
Lunar was silent for a long moment. "I have fulfilled mission parameters. Demonstrated cooperation with opposing factions. Made connections with Earth entities." His shadow form shifted, condensing slightly. "But Poppy wishes to remain on Earth."
Eclipse understood the unstated conflict. Lunar had formed his own attachment, just as Solar had with Dani. The mission had succeeded in ways none of them had anticipated.
"The council will be displeased."
"The council expected failure," Lunar countered. "Our success disrupts their political calculations."
Lunar was right, of course. There was no denying the truth. The mission had been designed as exile, a way to remove influential voices from Zorveya's increasingly polarized political landscape. By succeeding where failure was expected, they had created a diplomatic complication.
