The general stared at them, clearly considering if he wanted them to return to their own base or not. They were in his office awaiting dismissal. Once they were gone, he wouldn’t be able to debrief them further.
He gave a curt nod. “Thank you for your efforts on Syrax. I am proud of you all. Safe travels to your home base.”
“I look forward to seeing Rainhart in chains,” Trax said, then dipped his head in respect.
Nave copied the gesture; then they turned to me. They smiled, clapped me on the shoulder, then gave softer looks to Jamie. “We will meet again soon,” Trax said.
“Agreed.”
They left, the door sliding closed behind them.
“You are also dismissed,” the general said, but he raised a hand. “For now. I will work with STS and the other generals to track down Delegate Rainhart. See him behind bars before the day is done. We now also have a bigger problem.” He sighed. “The IPBMs. Two of them. We don’t know how many of them are in the Dark Fleet’s arsenal, or when Queen Raya might fire one again. Hopefully she used the only ones she had in anger and has no more.”
“The Dark Fleet leaders will get her more.”
“Yes, they will. For the right price. We are on high alert and will remain so until we find out what the queen has available. You two are free to go. For now.”
He ran a hand down his face.
“You don’t need our help with that?” Jamie asked.
The general’s face actually softened a bit. “Your skill is in the pilot’s seat, shooting them from the fucking sky. But finding the IPBMs, where they’re coming from, how they are being transported… well, that’s the job of the mission control specialists. They have already been put on the task.”
He looked to me. Practically glared.
“Your job for STS is over, correct, Elite Starfighter?”
I glanced at Jamie, who was looking up at me with trust and devotion. There were no barriers between us now. No secrets. I didn’t have to hide any part of myself any longer. He wasn’t really asking. He was telling me that my double life was finished.
“My job is to fight beside my bondmate, General. Nothing else. Send my regards to STS.”
This time, instead of taking Jamie’s hand, I leaned down and tossed her over my shoulder.
“Alex!” she squealed, pounding on my lower back with her small fists. “What are you doing?”
“You are my gift, bondmate. I will ensure you do not get away.”
“General!” she cried, seeking help from the most unlikely of sources.
I heard his laugh right before his office door closed behind us. I carried Jamie to our quarters. Nothing was keeping me from making her mine. Completely. And forever.