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She nodded, her fingers tightening around mine as we backed up for momentum.

"One," I began, feeling the ship tremble beneath us as it sank deeper.

"Two," she continued, her voice steadier now.

"Three!" we shouted in unison, sprinting down the open hatch as the ship lurched again, sending us falling from the side and into the swamp.

Zoran

I bracedmy hands on either side of the tall window cut into the black obsidian walls and stared out at the Restless Sea. True to its name, the waters churned and pitched beneath a darkening sky, white-capped waves crashing against the jagged cliffs below the academy. The sea's eternal movement matched my tumultuous thoughts as I contemplated the mission I had authorized, the one that defied direct orders from Drexian High Command.

Politics. Always politics. Our alliance with Earth was fraying at the edges because of one ambitious fool. The newly appointed leader of Earth's Planetary Defense had discovered more advantage in posturing than partnership and more profit for himself in turning against old alliances. He wanted to dismantle what we had built over decades, to "assert Earth's independence," as if independence could stand against the Kronock threat alone. What he truly wanted was to siphon money to his own hand-picked, Earth defense contractors and get a generous cut off the top.

And now, a human pilot and an Inferno Force warrior were paying the price for political games, abandoned to Kronock cruelty because a rescue would "send the wrong message about Earth's reliance on the Drexians." I wouldn’t have been surprised if the man was in the pocket of the Kronock themselves. He would be if he could profit off them.

I knew all this because of Tivek and his fellow Shadows, who’d been spying on the Earth leaders since the invasion. And now my Shadow friend was risking his life to do what the Earth leaders were too cowardly to do.

I released a bitter laugh. Let them strip me of my rank if they discovered what I'd done. Some principles and some people were worth the sacrifice.

The soft whisper of fabric alerted me to another presence in the room. I didn't need to turn to know who it was because my wife’s subtle floral scent was unmistakable.

“Worrying won’t bring them back faster,” Noora said, her voice carrying the gentle concern that always made my hardened resolve soften.

I turned to find her silhouetted in the doorway, her dark hair falling in loose waves around her shoulders, and her midnight-blue dress flowing like liquid around her slender frame. Behind her, Reina's tall swish of blue hair bobbed as she took tiny steps, constrained by her snug, garishly pattered dress that ended at mid-calf.

“Is it obvious?” I asked, realizing that I'd lost track of time in my contemplation. The window now reflected only darkness, punctuated by stars and the distant glow of the academy's exterior lights.

Noora approached, her eyes reading my expression with practiced ease. "I can feel your worry from across the room, Zoran.”

I sighed, but didn’t reply. I didn’t need to. In the short time we’d been together, she’d learned to read me better than I knew myself.

“The second rescue team is making final preparations.” Reina’s fingers fluttered in excitement.

I nodded. "I'm aware of the second ship's imminent departure. Volten and Kann are experienced officers. If anyone can find our people, it's them."

"Jess and Fiona are going too," Reina added, her eyes wide. “So is Britta.”

My brow furrowed, but I nodded. “I don’t think I could stop them.”

“It’s not going to be the same with so many of our humans gone.” The Vexling wrung her hands. “First there was the holochamber accident and the rescue mission leaving without the whole team and?—"

"It's alright, Reina," Noora interrupted gently. "Why don't you go ahead and say your farewells to the women before they take off? I'm sure they'd appreciate it."

Relief washed over Reina's face. She attempted an awkward bow, the tight dress hampering her movement, before hurrying from the room with surprising speed.

Once we were alone, Noora crossed to me, her hand coming up to cup my cheek. "You're doing the right thing, even if it means defying authority." Her eyes sparkled with mischief. "And I, for one, am a big believer in defying authority."

A laugh escaped me despite the somber mood. "I recall you took particular pleasure in defying mine."

"Only because you made it so enjoyable," she whispered, rising on her toes as I bent to capture her lips with mine.

“Perhaps we should adjourn to our quarters,” I suggested with a smile.

Noora returned my smile, her hand finding mine as we moved toward the door. The corridors of the academy were quieter at this hour, most cadets having retired to their dormitories or gathered in Stacks to study, and our footsteps echoed off the stone.

We had barely reached the grand staircase when rapid footfalls approached from behind. I turned to see Lieutenant Urex, acting head of security, his typically composed features twisted with urgency.

"Admiral," he gasped, clearly having sprinted from the security office. "We've received an emergency transmission."