I can’t say I was happy to go. If anything, finally getting to be with Leena was only making it more difficult. As I wound my way back through the tunnels, though, it was like a weight had been lifted from me.

Leena and I could make this work. I knew that now. It wouldn’t be easy, but, then again, nothing worth doing ever was. And I was certain now that this was. Leena was worth all the trouble it would cause, and then some.

Still, I hated to go. I knew there was no other choice, these people would all die if we couldn’t get them supplies soon, but the thought of leaving Leena worried me. What if something happened while I was away? She and the rest of the survivors weren’t exactly up to the task of fighting off the Xathi.

I ran a hand through my hair, pondering imaginary options for one more time since having left Leena. There was no other way, no good answer. I had to go, and she had to stay.

I pushed my worry to the back of my mind as I threw my pack over my shoulder. There was nothing to be done for it. Worrying wouldn’t help.

The sooner I left, the sooner I could return, this time bringing supplies and safety with me. It was worth the risk.

I didn’t bother saying goodbye to anyone as I made my way towards the exit. Leena and I had already said our goodbyes in the tunnels, and I was fairly certain that no one else would care to hear it from me. I still sensed their distrust, it was heavy in their gazes, in the way they moved aside whenever I neared them.

Given time, I hoped they would come to accept my presence, but I wasn’t exactly counting on it. Either way, I wasn’t about to stress. The only human whose opinion I valued was Leena, and I now had a pretty good idea of how she felt about me.

The night was falling as I finally made my way from the cave, only dim light now making it through the trees. It was going to be a long night, walking back to the Vengeance alone. With a sigh, I started forward.

The forest was deceptively quiet, giving the impression that I was alone in the growing dark. I had been on this planet long enough to see through the illusion, of course, but it was odd to step into such silence after the cramped quarters of the tunnels.

Humans are loud, even when they try not to be. There’s always some sound giving away their location: a rustle, a sigh, even their breathing seems loud. In a way, it was nice to be back in the silence.

I walked for a long while, thinking of Leena and our time together as I went. She had surprised me, once again, back in the tunnels. I smiled, pulling my pack tighter on my shoulders. I would probably never have a dull moment with that one, but, srell, I no longer thought I wanted any.

Leena had been a surprise since the first moment I’d laid eyes on her, and I didn’t think she was going to stop being one any time soon.

After another few moments of thought, I was off again, heading quickly in the direction of the Vengeance.

It was easy to daydream, there was no denying that, but I had someplace to be, someone to take care of, and I didn’t want to stick around and risk another attack.

Who knew what might come next? Judging from what I’d seen so far, it could be anything.

It occurred to me that Jeneva should really teach those of us from the Vengeance how to handle the local wildlife. Traversing by oneself was risky at its best. Had we better knowledge, we could have brought the refugees over all at once. If anyone could be called an expert on such things, it would be her. After all, she did live among all the monsters for years.

I smiled, thinking of her, of them, really. Jeneva and Vrehx were lucky to have found each other. I wouldn’t have thought it possible to begin with, but they were actually a perfect fit.

Jeneva had changed remarkably since we met her. She was no longer the same stoic woman who we found in a cave. In fact, she had become almost friendly. And Vrehx, well, Vrehx no longer lived as if his sole purpose was to maintain order, a fact for which we were all deeply grateful.

It made me hopeful, knowing that two such different people were making it work. After all, if Jeneva and Vrehx could pull it off, things would likely be just as easy for Leena and me.

I had gotten so lost in thought, I almost didn’t notice when I finally approached the Vengeance. The trip back wasn’t nearly as long as I’d imagined. I smiled as I approached the door, feeling like I was coming home after a particularly bad day.

A moment later, I was back inside the ship proper, saying quick hellos as I searched for General Rouhr. I found him in the hall, looking half-relieved to see me.

“General.”

“Axtin, how did it go?” he asked me.

After all that had happened, it took me a moment to remember why we had even left to begin with.

“Oh, very well, General,” I said. “Leena was successful with the scent bombs.”

“Ah, finally, good news,” he sighed.

“Well, I wish that was all that happened. We had a run-in, sir, with the Xathi.”

He seemed to finally notice I was alone, looking over my shoulder in question.

“Leena?” he asked.

“Fine, she’s fine. But she and a group of survivors are hiding near Duvest, running very low on supplies.”

He furrowed his brow in thought.

“Near Duvest, you say?”

“That’s right.”

“Where exactly?”

I resisted the urge to rush him to action, knowing I’d get nowhere without answering his questions.

“They’re in a tunnel system between Fraga and Duvest. Sir, there are nearly a hundred survivors, many injured, some children. They need supplies and guards immediately. I’ll organize it.”

I turned to go, content to let him think it through while I spread the word.

“Axtin,” he said.

I suppressed a growl, turning back to him.

“Yes?”

“Engineer Thribb has been testing short-range satellites.”

I was practically thrumming with impatience, but his words stilled me.

“And?”

“A Xathi horde has been spotted in the vicinity”

I didn’t wait to hear more. I couldn’t. Before he’d even finished his sentence, I was off, rushing to gather the men.