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mutant, you can start ripping and tearing, eh?
 The time is sooner than you think. Elyse s voice was rasping.  It s tonight,
and it s very soon.
How did she know? Who else was she in contact with?
Seena caught Heddam s frown.  Her mutant is attracted by the power source. It
brings it to the surface.
 Right. Of course.  Twas why she could sense how close the power source was,
and that meant that Tasi was close, too.  Can you pick where she is?
Elyse shook her head.
 So what s the plan? Seena asked quietly.
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 When Tasi goes into the palace, I m going with her, Heddam replied.
 We re going with her, Elyse growled.
Seena nodded.  Then I suggest we go up in my battle cruiser and wherever you
spot her is where we ll put you down. Turning on her heel, she said quietly,
 Come on.
Heddam was still unsure of everything, but if Elyse trusted this wench, she had
to be honourable. Elyse didn t trust many people.
Shaque didn t look at anyone, his gaze constantly flickering around the
surroundings as they followed, his laser in one hand, his dagger in the other.
Heddam followed, his senses attuned to anything unusual, though who knew what
was on this planet that might be considered normal by the standard of the Aoras?
One thing he was certain of, though, regardless of what was out there and what
they might face, he was going to be by Tasi s side when she faced the imposter. In
times of danger, his place was by his lass s side.
Impatience thrummed through him, especially now he knew Tasi was near, and
he followed unhesitatingly when Seena led them onto a big battle cruiser that was
standing in a clearing nearby. The yellow daisy painted on the side was
unexpected. The three soldiers waiting watched intently, but merely nodded when
Seena introduced them. The one she introduced as the Aora Military Corporal
couldn t quite hide the light in his eyes when Seena informed him of the plan.
The battle cruiser was plain inside. The control cabin was in the front, a laser
cannon below and above, and a caged area at the rear. In the middle was a hollow
section lined with a bench each side for sitting on. At the back of the control cabin
was a viscomm.
Seena and the ACM disappeared into the control cabin, two of the soldiers went
into the laser pits and the third soldier kept watch on the viscomm, flicking it on
and training it on the palace.
The battle cruiser lifted into the air and within seconds was swooping low over
the city, veering around at the edge to fly over the forests.
Nothing showed on the viscomm and Heddam started to get edgy. Anxiety
gnawed at his insides. Where is she? Is she all right? I wish I was with her, I wish I
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knew what she was thinking, what she was going through. If I was with her, I could
help in some way, even just be a silent support. Watch her back.
Watching the viscomm, he couldn t see anything but empty skies above the
forest. The battle cruiser veered and turned, heading back for the city.
Seena s voice came over the intercom.  Hold tight, everyone, I see something
odd.
 That planet cruiser, the ACM said.  It shouldn t be turning back towards the
palace now. It s not scheduled to return yet.
Heddam looked up at the viscomm and saw the battle cruiser heading back
towards the palace. He also noted the planet cruiser slowing above the palace roof.
And he just knew.
 It s her! His hand tightened on the butt of the laser holstered at his thigh.
 The Guardian? Seena was calm.  Could be. She ll enter through the roof.
Makes sense.
 And there s another battle cruiser closing in to the palace, the AMC said.
 Looks like it could be an attack starting.
 Fly closer.
The palace battle cruiser started firing, and Heddam clenched his teeth when he
saw the planet cruiser land hard on the roof of the palace. The figure that came out
of the cockpit and swung onto the wing had a long, white braid. That much he
could make out on the screen.
 Close in! Seena ordered sharply.  We need to cover her and them! she [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]