Silence hung in the air and I found myself glancing between Andy and Aquila’s faces, needing clarification but I didn’t want to repeat my question.

After a pause where no one spoke, Elliot finally broke the silence.

“Well, we should be finding out in about…” He checked his watch. “Seven minutes.”

“That’s what the press conference is about?” I asked.

Andy nodded slowly.

“We’re not entirely sure what it’s about which is one of the reasons I wanted to speak to you before it. It is entirely possible that Gem will be brought up,” he said softly.

My hands tightened on the armrests.

“Why?” I asked, trying to ignore the wash of dizziness that came over me.

My heart squeezed and I felt my breath speed up.

I couldn’t cope with him mentioning her. I wouldn’t be able to do it. I wasn’t sure how I’d react but I knew that it would be bad.

“Harvey has had two conferences in the last week and she wasn’t mentioned in either. Now that her funeral has happened and we know that a lot of people on Nova watched it, it unfortunately makes sense that he would talk about her and what happened.”

I nodded, unable to speak.

A hollow ache started in my chest, threatening to overwhelm me.

“I wanted to give you the opportunity to leave now and, after the conference, I can send you an edited version with any mention of her cut out,” Andy offered.

I appreciated the offer and part of me wanted to accept it but I couldn’t. I needed to know what he said. Curiosity would rip me apart otherwise.

“No, it’s fine,” I said distantly, my mind racing with hatred for Harvey.

“If it does get too much or if you change your mind, you can leave at any point.”

I nodded again, white-hot fury starting to build in my stomach.

“We also need to discuss what the implications of the announcement are,” Aquila said, her voice soft but strong.

I let out a somewhat shaky breath and fixed my eyes on her.

“If we’re officially at war, how much danger are we in?” I asked. “Do they know where Freo is?”

Aquila shook her head slightly and glanced down at her screen.

“As far as we are aware, no. We’ve been running patrols, sending out decoys and putting false rumours onto the back channels and at the moment, I believe that we are safe. We are going to start an evacuation, offering everyone on this ship the opportunity to leave and relocate to one of the safe planets and ships across the universe. Everyone under the age of sixteen will be going too, that is non-negotiable,” she said, her eyes narrowing slightly as if she’d had arguments about that point already.

I wasn’t sure who she could have argued it with, Andy would have agreed with her.

“You also have that opportunity,” Aquila continued.

It took me a moment to realise that she was talking to me and, after glancing between her, Andy and Elliot, my mouth slipped open.

“Me?” I asked, still needing to hear it.

“Yes, of course,” Andy said. “You and your crew are still young, almost still trainees. You don’t need to be here, this isn’t your fight.”

I looked away from his gentle face, the expression setting me on edge, and met Aquila’s gaze.

She looked a little worried. I wasn’t sure why. I think I know now though. She thought that I might accept it and, although she thought I deserved the opportunity, she knew what a blow to morale it would be for everyone on Freo and everyone fighting for us. I know that she was torn between believing that we were kids who deserved happiness and easy lives but also knowing how necessary we were to the cause.

We were the champions for the fight. People held up our story as evidence of how terrible the Council are and how badly they have treated innocents but, if we were to leave, it would be seen as giving up. They wouldn’t see us the same. Not many other people would understand that we were just children who needed time to recover and get away from everything.

“What is it with everyone trying to get us to leave Freo?” I tried to joke flatly to break the tension. “I’m starting to think that you actually want us to go.”

Andy cocked his head slightly.

“Have many other people said that you should leave?” he asked in a light tone.

“A couple,” I said cagily, not wanting to get Chal in trouble.

The look that crossed Andy’s face was one of understanding. He knew and understood that Chal had offered but there was some regret there. At the time, I thought it was because Chal went behind his back but it wasn’t that. It’s because he wanted us to go.

“Well, that’s understandable. If you do want to, we can find somewhere safe for you.”

I shook my head.

“I can’t leave now. None of my crew want to either. Cory said there’s more important work for him to do in the medBay and that he’ll stay there until every last people is completely healed, Peggy wants to learn more about Freo and help take down the Council and Cas… he won’t go.”

Andy smiled softly.

“I understand,” was all he said.

I looked away, my mind working desperately to find something else to say. I didn’t want to keep talking about myself or my crew.

“So, what does it mean for the people on Nova? Us being at war?” I asked, my mind going back to Sammy. “Are they safe?”

Elliot pursed his lips which sent a wave of anxiety through me.

“Mostly. More people are going to get recruited into the military and they’re probably going to lower the graduation age. The camps and bases are going to be allowed to be a lot worse,” he said carefully.

“How? You heard what’s going on back home. How can things get any worse on the base?” I asked.

“If how things were run when we were kids is anything to go off, things can get more… intense. Think less or no downtime, barely any sleep, being sent off on mission far too young.”

Concern started to grow within me.

“But the people on our base aren’t being allowed to fly, right? Surely, that’ll change. Like, if we’re at war then surely the Council will want them to learn… right?” I asked, looking at Andy.

He considered it, tilting his head to one side as he thought.

“They should. It is possible that they’ll change the policy once the war is announced official or they may start screening people more rigorously so that only those with no links to us and no hints that they might ever believe our propaganda will be allowed to learn,” he suggested, clearly speaking from experience.

“That seems…” Smart but dangerous. “Intense.”

“It will be. Ah, I believe people are here for the briefing,” Andy said, looking up at the door with a smile just a moment before the small screen lit up beside the door showing the people waiting on the other side.

Are you all coming to the briefing? I asked as the door swung open and Fornax entered with a grin, Trolis trailing behind her.

Wouldn’t miss it, Peggy thought back.

We’re just in the elevator now but it’s taking forever. I swear it’s stopping on every floor. Should I just kick everyone out and scan my chip to get us to you quicker? Cas asked, worry evident in his voice.

Nah, I think it should be okay. Only us, Fornax and Trolis are here so far, I thought.

Okay, we shouldn’t be too long hopefully. Oh, come on! Why is everyone using the damn lifts right now? Cas thought angrily.

A slight smile came over my face and I watched as the door opened again.

Chal is here now too, I let them know.

How? He left after us! Alright, I’m doing it. I’m using my chip, Cas said.

Did you tell him that you talked to us about leaving? Peggy asked quietly.

No, I’ve not had a chance to talk to him yet.

Chal placed a cup of coffee in front of me with a soft smile.

“Shall I make some for the others?” he asked. “I thought they’d be here by now.”

“I can do it,” I said, suppressing a grin. “They’re stuck on the elevator, apparently it’s stopping on most floors.”

Chal smirked.

“Well, that’s on them. Stay seated, I can make a few cups of coffee,” he added as I started to stand slowly. “Does anyone else want a cup? Something tells me this is going to be a long meeting.”

“You are a lifesaver, Doc,” Fornax sighed happily. “Can I get a cup, black, two sugars? Do you want your usual?”

I looked at Trolis, faint curiosity tickling my mind.

I’d never seen him drink coffee so I wasn’t even sure how he’d take it but he looked exhausted. His jumpsuit was creased and his hair was ruffled. I wasn’t sure if he’d just gotten out of bed or if he hasn’t slept for days.

“Yes, please,” he said in a gravelly voice. “Biggest cup you have, half coffee, half creamer, three sugars.”

Chal made the coffees silently, depositing them onto the table in front of them before turning back to us.

“Any others?” he asked, looking at Andy.

“I could do with a refresh,” Elliot said lightly, peering into his long-ignored cup as if he wasn’t sure quite how old the coffee in it was. “On second thoughts, a fresh cup might be a better idea.”

Chal smiled somewhat indulgently at him as he walked back to the coffee table.

“What about the Directors? Do either of you want a cup?” he asked, without looking up.

My eyes flitted between Andy and Chal, unsure of how either of them would react.

“I’m alright, thank you Chal. I’m still nursing this cup,” Aquila said but I didn’t look away from Andy.

“That would be lovely, thank you,” he said after a moment as Chal crossed the room to hand Elliot his coffee.

Chal nodded but didn’t speak as the doors opened once more and Cas walked in pushing Peggy in her chair.

Oh good, we aren’t late! Peggy thought as she greeted everyone.

Nah, still waiting for more people, I sent back, standing to pull the chair out to make space for Peggy to sit next to me.

It feels weird in here. Why is everyone staring at Chal? Cas thought sharply.

I think something’s happened with him and Andy, I replied.

Again?

Mmm… I think it’s the same thing as before but things are getting better.

I watched as Chal placed the cup in front of Andy who smiled in response. Chal’s returned smile was somewhat mechanical but it was definitely an improvement.

I know it might be a little premature… Peggy started, her tone thoughtful as her eyes flickered around the room. But I’m really glad I got my transmitter back so I can talk to y’all like this again.

A smile grew on my face.

Me too, Peg. I missed you.