Page 65 of Alien Peacock

Peroena gathers the various pads and displays we’ve been working on. “That’s our hope, Supremacy. But we shall prepare for the worst. I recommend we go to the command post now and launch the attack right away.”

“Agreed,” I tell her. “Everything is ready. I have to get the freed men out of the saucer, and then I’ll fly that to the command post. And I have to say goodbye to Maeve.”

The general gives me a tight smile. “I’m happy that you have finally Marked a female! You have needed a love for a good while now.”

I frown. “You know I Marked her?”

She shrugs. “The signs are unmistakable. The way she looks at you and you look at her… there’s no doubt. And, if I dare say so, she’s a good choice. A fighter to the core! And she handlestrouble just as well as you do, Supremacy. Only a woman like her could handle you, I think.”

“Oh, I’m very mild-mannered and demure,” I tell her, grinning. “Easily handled.”

She laughs. “Thank all the ancient gods that’s not true! Eo needs a strong Leader, and I do believe you’re it.”

“Thank you,” I say sincerely. “That gives me strength.” I glance down at her own Mark, which her husband placed in an unusual place, behind one wing. “I only wish Marshal Naioren could be here.”

Peroena touches her Mark with two gentle fingers. “As do I, every day. But we shall avenge him. Buroteo killed my husband during his brave defense of our planet. Soon, it is we who shall kill Buroteo!”

“It is indeed,” I state with certainty. “General, the order is given to launch the war. Go on ahead, and I will follow in our new ship, theRevenge!”

She straightens and salutes. “Yes, Supremacy!” Turning on one heel, she marches out towards the second hangar.

I look around the common room. “Cerak, you’ll keep the place safe while I’m gone?”

“I’ll keep it clean,” he says. “That’s all I promise. Sponz and Virlu are thankfully not the messiest of organics.”

“What do you think of our plans?” I ask.

“Oh, I wasn’t listening. As they say, no battle plan survives the first contact with the enemy. It will all turn out completely differently than you think.”

I shrug. “That’s war. I’ll go and chase the former captives out of theRevenge. Don’t let them ruin the artworks, all right? And get rid of them as soon as possible.”

“Sure.”

“Goodbye, Cerak.”

“Goodbye.” He doesn’t sound too concerned about possibly not seeing me again.

I walk to the hangar. At first I notice nothing strange. Then I realize that the small saucer is missing.

My heart sinks in my chest. Running into theRevenge, I ask the former captives if they’ve seen Maeve. They haven’t, but they’ve seen the small saucer take off and fly into space.

A quick search of Gigori shows Maeve is nowhere to be found, and neither is Bari.

“Told you things would turn out differently,” Cerak says when I end up back in the common room, my good mood shattered.

“This is not the time for your nonsense,” I warn him. “She just took off without a word!”

“What would you expect her to say?” Cerak asks. “’Hey, I’m going to steal a ship and go on my way without you?’”

I slam my fist on the table, leaving a dent. “She said she wouldn’t gonow!” I fret, darkness encroaching on my mind. “She promised!”

“Organics promise lots of things,” the robot says. “And then they realize they can’t keep their promises.”

“Earthlings,” I growl. “It was true. They’resneaky.”

“Sometimes,” Cerak says with unusual mildness. “Like everyone else. There’s no shame in being deceived, Arelion. An honorable man will assume that others are as honest as he is. Perhaps this isn’t as bad as it looks.”

“She’s gone to Xap. She just needed me to tell her where to go. And like a fool, I did.”

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