Page 26 of Eclipse Bound (Galaxy Alien Mail Order Brides #7)

"Eclipse says Milano knows where the extraction is happening tonight," Rowan translated. "He thinks they’re setting a trap."

Lunar's shadow essence darkened further. "This complicates matters. Galaxy Brides cannot be notified. Any transmission might be intercepted."

"So what do we do?" Poppy asked. "We can't just walk into an ambush, but we can't miss the extraction either."

Eclipse felt a strange calm settling over him as the situation clarified. His diplomatic training had prepared him for moments like this.

"Alternative extraction point..."

The thought formed more coherently as his essence continued to stabilize. Rowan looked at him questioningly.

"You know another location?" she asked.

Eclipse focused, gathering his strength to communicate more directly.

"Emergency protocol... in case of compromise... the original landing site..."

"The crash site," Lunar realized. "Where we first arrived. It’s hardly logical from a strategic point of view, but it would be something Bob and Gary would think of."

"But that's miles from here," Poppy objected. "And Milano probably has that area under surveillance, too."

"Distraction needed... divide forces..."

Eclipse's form wavered as fatigue threatened to overwhelm him again. Rowan's hand found the most substantial part of his essence, her touch somehow anchoring him.

"Rest now," she said softly. "We'll figure out the details."

Eclipse allowed himself to drift into a recovery state, his twilight essence slowly regenerating in the artificial dusk of the cabin. The conversation continued around him, Lunar and the others discussing options, but Eclipse's awareness faded in and out.

In this semi-conscious state, time lost its meaning. He existed in a liminal space between alertness and oblivion, aware only of Rowan's presence beside him, her energy signature a constant that guided his recovery.

When he next achieved full consciousness, the cabin was darker, and Rowan was asleep, her head resting on her arms at the edge of his cot. His twilight form had stabilized significantly, though still far from his full strength.

Lunar materialized from the shadows in the corner.

"You recover quickly for one so damaged," he observed quietly.

Eclipse gathered his essence into a more defined shape, enough to communicate without disturbing Rowan.

"How long do we have?"

"Four hours," Lunar replied. "The extraction window opens in three more."

Eclipse looked down at Rowan's sleeping form, her face peaceful despite the crisis surrounding them. The choice loomed before him. He could return to Zorveya as planned, fulfilling the mission parameters, or remain on Earth with Rowan.

"Milano still searching?"

Lunar nodded. "They maintain a perimeter, but have not yet detected this location. Poppy is monitoring their communications." He gestured to where Poppy sat by a small radio, headphones covering her ears.

Eclipse carefully extended his consciousness, testing the limits of his recovered strength. He was functional, though far from his full capacity. He was strong enough to travel, at least.

"The plan if Harris does not come for us?"

"Diversion at the original extraction coordinates," Lunar explained. "Poppy will trigger remote devices to simulate energy signatures. Meanwhile, we proceed to the crash site for true extraction."

It was a sound strategy, though risky. Eclipse considered the variables, the potential outcomes, and the likelihood of success.

"And if we miss the extraction?"

Lunar's shadow essence rippled, the equivalent of a shrug. "I calculate that Galaxy Alien Mail Order Brides will not want to return for at least another full planetary cycle. They will want to make sure that the danger has passed. Approximately one Earth year."

The implications settled over Eclipse. A year on Earth. A year with Rowan. The thought created a resonance he couldn't entirely suppress.

"You will go?"

Lunar was silent for a long moment. "I have fulfilled mission parameters. Demonstrated cooperation with opposing factions. Made connections with Earth entities." His shadow form shifted, condensing slightly. "But Poppy wishes to remain on Earth."

Eclipse understood the unstated conflict. Lunar had formed his own attachment, just as Solar had with Dani. The mission had succeeded in ways none of them had anticipated.

"The council will be displeased."

"The council expected failure," Lunar countered. "Our success disrupts their political calculations."

Lunar was right, of course. There was no denying the truth. The mission had been designed as exile, a way to remove influential voices from Zorveya's increasingly polarized political landscape. By succeeding where failure was expected, they had created a diplomatic complication.

Rowan stirred beside him, her eyes opening slowly. When she saw his more coherent form, relief washed over her face.

"You're better," she said, reaching out to touch his now-solid shoulder.

"Recovering," he confirmed, their connection allowing direct communication.

Rowan smiled, though it didn't reach her eyes. "Good. We're going to need you at full strength for tonight."

Eclipse sensed the conflict within her. She felt joy at his recovery, but it was mixed with dread at their imminent separation.

He found his voice, and started to say, "Rowan, I?—"

A sharp knock at the door interrupted him. Poppy pulled off her headphones, eyes wide with alarm. Lunar's shadow form immediately expanded, preparing for defense.

"Galaxy Alien Mail Order Brides," Lunar identified, moving toward the door.

Poppy held up a hand to stop him. "Wait. How do you know it's Galaxy Brides? We should be careful. It could be a trap."

“I don’t think Milano would knock on the door,” Rowan countered.

Eclipse gathered his strength, preparing to defend them if necessary. His essence was still fragile, but he would not allow harm to come to Rowan or the others.

Lunar approached the door cautiously, his shadow essence extending to sense what lay beyond. After a moment, he nodded. "It is Galaxy Brides.”

He opened the door to reveal a single figure.

"Harris?" Eclipse recognized the trainee who had piloted their ship during the crash landing. The smaller yellow alien wore what appeared to be a partially scorched Earth business suit.

"Emergency extraction protocol enacted," Harris announced, his translator functioning properly for once. "Location discovered. Milano forces are converging. Must depart immediately."

Rowan rose to her feet. "I thought the extraction wasn't until later. We were supposed to have more time."

"Emergency backup plan activated. Primary extraction compromised.

Milano knows all contingencies," Harris said, his huge eyes blinking rapidly.

"Bob and Gary detected the Milano communication pattern.

They prepare an ambush at both primary and secondary locations.

And three backup locations. Also, the place we like to order pizza from. "

Eclipse exchanged glances with Lunar.

"Transport waiting one kilometer north. Must hurry," Harris said.

Eclipse gathered his essence, preparing to move, but a wave of weakness washed over him. He was still far from his full strength.

Rowan steadied him, her hand finding the most solid part of his form. "Can you make it?"

"Yes. With help."

"I've got you," she promised, supporting him as he struggled to maintain cohesion.

Poppy quickly gathered supplies while Lunar conferred with Harris about the extraction details. Eclipse focused on conserving his strength for the journey ahead.

As they prepared to leave, he became acutely aware that these might be his final moments on Earth with Rowan. The thought created discord in his energy patterns. This was not how he wanted their time together to end.