Page 83 of Triplets for the Barbarians

“Also a possibility,” Sarin smiles. “We’ve always been open to the idea, and so have the Mal brothers.”

Amber gasps. “Wait, Izzo and Binzen know about this?”

“They diverted government funds to assist with the development,” Neya replies.

“Which means our men knew about it, as well,” I tell Cynthia and Alicia.

“They let us walk right into it,” Cynthia mutters, a huge grin slitting her face from ear to ear. “I need to make sure I thank them when we get back home.”

I shake my head slowly, a subtle dizziness coming over me. It’s exhilaration, awe, the purest form of astonishment. “I can’t believe it.”

“Believe it,” Sarin says. “You were good to us. Jewel, Amber. Cynthia, Alicia. Each of you has given us so much with no regard for your most primal needs. You sacrificed your lives on Earth to keep us alive, to keep us safe. You deserve this and more.”

The girls and I exchange curious glances.

And I can’t help but wonder what we will do now that we have a starship. Will we go to Earth, if only for a while, to catch up on that world? What will we find there? We’re enough light-years away to still see our parents alive, along with our earthly friends and earthly lives. Or did we truly say goodbye when we agreed to stay here and fight for the Fire Tribe?

I don’t know. I don’t think the girls know, either.

But I do know one thing.

We’ve stuck together since day one.

Whatever we decide, we’ll do it together.

The four of us.

Ride or die until the end.

The End

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