We hurtled towards Nova, avoiding the warp gates wherever possible. The ID had assured Aquila that they were safe and that they’d changed all of the access protocols but we still weren’t comfortable using them. We only went through one during the entire journey and that was only out of necessity.

My heart had pounded and I’d even taken one of my hands off the controls to reach out and clutch Cas’. He squeezed back so tightly it hurt but I knew I was gripping him just as hard.

How’s everything going back there? I asked, trying to ignore the startling sense of deja vu that the question prompted.

I’m pretty sure I’d asked the exact same thing as we flew towards Irision.

That flight might have been the one that made us criminals in the eyes of the Council but somehow this one felt riskier. We knew the people involved now, it wasn’t just some faraway planet we’d never even been to.

Okay back here. No news from Sammy. Do you want me to post on the forum asking for an update? Peggy asked.

I considered it for a moment, glancing towards the flight plan.

“I can take the controls whilst you talk to him,” Cas said quietly from beside me.

I shot him a grateful smile, so happy to be flying with my crew again, despite the situation.

Yes, please.

There was a pause that made my skin prickle in anxiety and expectation before Peggy replied, Sent it. I’ll let you know when he responds.

Thanks.

I nodded, even though she couldn’t see me, and looked back at the controls in front of me.

They weren’t that dissimilar to Frida. It was the same make, different model though. Much newer and kitted out by Fornax and Trolis who had added things I didn’t even know were possible. I wished they’d had a chance to work on Frida, they would have been able to make her perfect.

“You alright?” Cas asked softly, breaking me from my thoughts.

“Yeah…” I said pathetically before pausing.

Cas didn’t take his eyes off the skies ahead as he waited for me to continue talking.

I wasn’t really even sure what to say. It felt like we’d been in that exact situation before but at the same time, it felt new and so much scarier than it ever had before.

We’d already lost Gem. We’d lost Tuc. We’d lost countless others.

Every single person who died weighed heavily on my mind. I’m not religious. I don’t really believe in a God or many Gods like Gem did but I know that, if they did exist, my afterlife wasn’t going to be a pleasant or nice time. I would be tortured by the sheer number of people who died directly because of my actions for the rest of all time. Their death, their suffering was on me and they always would be.

Gods, I hope that’s not the case. I hope when I die, that’s it. It’s the end and I can stop worrying or thinking about everyone who I failed but, knowing my luck, that won’t be the case.

“I’m just worried,” I said finally.

Cas did look away then. His eyes found my face, gently and tenderly examining it before reaching out for my hand again.

“I know, Arie, but we’ll be okay. This mission will go well,” he promised.

I shook my head slightly, dropping my voice even more.

“But, what if it doesn’t? What if we lose Sammy and Pav and all the other kids? What if Fornax doesn’t make it to the prison in time and there’s no one left there? What if… what if we fail? What if more people die? I can’t lose you. I can’t lose anyone on this crew,” I whispered, my words barely above a breath.

Tears prickled my eyes, threatening to spill over.

I was so glad that Cas didn’t dismiss what I said. It would have been so easy for him to just lie and say that everything was fine or that I didn’t need to worry but he didn’t. He didn’t like to shy away from things like that.

“If something happens and we don’t all make it… then we’ll all know that we did our best and that’s all we can ask for. You can’t control the world, Arie. I know you want to but you can’t protect everyone. You care more than anyone else. You’re the reason we’re even picking up these kids, you’re the reason they’re going to be safe. Not anyone else, you. If I die because of that, it’s a worthy cause.” He paused and smiled at me, his dimples appearing for just a second. “I always said I’d follow you towards death and not even look back.”

I swallowed shakily, forcing the thought of him dying out of my mind.

I couldn’t, wouldn’t deal with it. I knew even then that, if it came to it, I would do everything I could to protect him. I’d throw myself in front of the gun or the knife or whatever it is just so that he survives.

And I guess I did in the end.

“I love you,” I said to him, my voice thick with emotion. “So much.”

“I love you so much.”

Aries, we got a response. Do you have a screen in there? Peggy thought.

“I can take the ship,” Cas confirmed, reaching out for the controls in front of him as I slapped the switch.

Got it, I’ll call him now and keep you updated, I thought back.

I grabbed at the screen attached to the side of my chair, checking to make sure that the controls had successfully transferred over to Cas, and started typing. The forum came up and I found Sammy’s message without any difficulty.

My heart pounded as the icon on the screen bounced and I waited for Sammy’s face to come into focus.

It appeared, barely even visible because of how dark it was wherever he was standing.

“Hello,” he whispered, peering at the screen.

“Sammy!” I replied. “Are you okay? How is everything there?”

He glanced around nervously before speaking.

“Umm… It’s okay. We did what you said. I got a bunch of people into the corridors but loads of the volunteers refused. They said that they were going to wait and see what Plend wants them to do. Even my brother refused to come with but I’m not really all that surprised. But, we’re in the corridors and I sent some people into the medBay and the storeroom and we basically cleared them both out. Pav snuck into the garage from that corridor under it and stole, like, all of the flight bags so we’re just loading up those at the moment. Cassie is overseeing that but they should be done soon… Are you near?”

I hesitated for a moment, letting everything he just said sink in as I considered my response.

If someone overheard and it got back to the Council, it could be an issue if they knew. But at the same time, I trusted Sammy. He’d done well and he hadn’t given us away yet.

“Yeah, not too far. Are you lot safe in there? Has Plend come out of her office? Should we be worried about the kids who refused to go into the corridors with you?”

Sammy shook his head, making my breath catch in my throat.

“She’s not out of her office yet so I think we’re safe but I’m not sure about the others. I don’t think they’ll tell on us. Well, no, they will but I’m not sure if Plend will listen. She’s not sent any messages out for a little while so… I think we’re okay.”

“Okay. Do you need anything?” I asked.

He shook his head again and his teeth glinted in the darkness as he grinned.

“I don’t think so! We’re okay here! Just knowing you’re coming is enough!” he said in a hushed but excited voice.

I nodded.

“Okay, good. Stay safe there and keep an eye on the cameras you’ve got access to around the base, okay? Let me know if you see any movement, that’s from the other kids or from the tutors who are left there.”

“I will!”

“And stay out of sight. Don’t try and fight the tutors or anything unless they start it. Run if they do, okay?”

“Okay!”

Desperation started to grow in me. I couldn’t have him die.

“If anything looks or feels suspicious, let us know. Even if it’s just a feeling and you don’t know what it is. We’ll be there soon. Stay out of sight and make sure the others do too until I say it’s safe, okay?”