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“Where are the guys?” Jessie asked.

“There they are.” Nell pointed. “Can’t miss Phil.”

“Definitely not.”

“He’s a good landmark.”

Nell shuddered.

“Cold?” Jessie asked.

“Nah. I thought I saw something. I think it’s time for me to get my eyes checked. Let’s go to the guys.”

The four wandered to a vendor’s stall looking at homemade breads and handicrafts. Street lights flared to life as the sun set behind the horizon. “I’m going to show off my strength,” Phil bragged. “Want to see?” he asked Jessie.

“Of course,” she laughed and placed her hand on his arm.

Nell sidled up to Maklr. “They’re cute together, don’t you think?”

Maklr shrugged. “If you like that sort.”

“Only a special woman can tame Phil, if it’s possible to tame him.”

“With the right female, I think so.” Nell froze in place. “What do you see? Do you see something?”

“In the corner behind the tent,” Nell whispered.

Phil pulled her closer. “We’ll be with you soon, Mak.” he called. Mak made a hand gesture toward Phil. “He loves me, really.”

“Uh huh,” Nell said. “What now?” she hissed.

“Walk slowly toward the tent. Pretend like nothing’s wrong. I’ve got you. I won’t let anything hurt you.” He lowered his forehead to hers. A blur raced from behind the tent. “Fuck,” Maklr bellowed, pushing Nell out of the way.

A split second later, Maklr pulled a blaster from the waistband of his pants, hidden under his vest, and shot through the blur. It crumpled in a heap at his feet.

“I got him Phil,” Maklr called. “It’s the same bastard.”

Nell walked over to Maklr, tears streaming down her face. “What did you do?”

Chapter 20

Nell

“Maklr!Whattheholyfuck do you think you’re doing?” she screamed. She ran over to him, the blaster in his hand still smoking from the shot. “I told you it’s not worth it. You’ll never be the same.”

“I did what I had to do.”

“Don’t you remember what I said about vengeance? Please, no. Tell me you didn’t.” She hugged Maklr close. “You won’t ever be the same. I didn’t want this for you. I’m not worth it.”

He shifted and pushed Nell away. “Nell, you don’t understand,” he said.

“What do you mean, I don’t understand? Normal people don’t go around avenging people,” she yelled.

“No. It’s what soldiers do,” he said, his tone flat.

“Maklr, you are a medic.”

“Trained as a soldier. Never forget it.”