Page 80 of Star Prince

“I’m not calling off the mission. Set a course for Earth, Mr. Truelénne.”

“The king asked us to return.”

“He didn’t ask us,” Ian informed him. “He ordered us. And I’m countermanding that order. I may be new at this game, but I know what’s right. Turning tail and running is wrong. I’m the only one who can resolve the situation on Earth. And I intend to—with or withoutVashbacking. You can’t follow the rules all the time.”

The crew considered him with a strange mix ofshock and curiosity, as if they had opened a box and found something they hadn’t expected.

“Are you with me?” he asked them.

Gredda raised her hand. “I am.”

“Count me in,” Muffin said. “And us,” Quin and Push chimed in.

For Gann, though, the decision appeared to be a struggle. He had followed Rom to hell and back, and his loyalty had never wavered.

“You can leave once we get to Earth,” Ian told him. “I understand.”

Gann glanced up. “No, Ian; you have my support in this mission. I believe you can bring both sides together. It’s Rom I can’t understand.” His lips thinned. “Just as he might not understand when I explain that I did this for him.” He spread his hands on the desk in front of him. “I await your order, Captain.”

Ian lowered his fist in one sweeping motion. “Take us to Earth. Maximum speed.”

At the outerreaches of the solar system, theSun Devildropped out of hyperspace and raced toward Earth. Ian stood at the helm and gazed at his planet’s sun, at this distance still tiny and cold.It is time,he thought determinedly. Time to prove his theory that Earth would stay in the Federation if they were given a tangible reason to do so, and if they felt they could play an important role within an established civilization so vast that it boggled themind. Once in Washington, his greatest challenge would be presenting the image of capable leadership, despite his lack ofVashsupport. He had to come across as a levelheaded crusader, a man willing to stand up for the rights of his people. And he had to do this without antagonizing the Federation. Then, he hoped, he could begin the long process of bridging his two worlds without sacrificing the needs of either.

The way you sacrificed Tee.

He winced. He let her turn him down. He watched her walk out of his life. He made a mistake.

“I’ve got theQuillie!”Gann shouted.

Ian spun around. “Where?”

“Twelve o’clock, and no more than a standard hour ahead.”

“They must have flown straight here. And at breakneck speed too.” The discovery told him two things— Tee knew exactly where she wanted to go. And she didn’t want to be followed.

Ian strode to where Gann sat. The pilot chair had once been Tee’s. “Contact them,” he ordered. A triangular symbol on Gann’s instrument panel represented theQuillie.

“Quillie,this is theSun Devil.”Gann had to repeat the call several times before the women answered.

“Quilliehere. Go ahead.” At Lara’s voice the kettacat let out an indescribable sound that was half gurgle, half howl, and ran to the speaker. It circled in frustration, trying to get at the voice inside.

“I know how you feel, cat,” Gann grumbled.

Ian demanded, “Tee, what the hell are you doing?”

“This is Lara. Tee’ah asked me to speak in her place. She’s commandeered theQuillie.That’s all I’m allowed to say…and that we’re both fine. Don’t forget to feed Cat, Gann.Quillie,out.”

“Wait!” Ian shouted. But the channel was already closed. “We’re both at sub-light speed. Download their route. I want to know where they’re going.”

“They’re headed for…Loss Ahn-gelleez?”Gann said, reading his viewscreen.

“Los Angeles?” His first thought was of Ilana. Tee had been intrigued by his description of his sister. He bet she was headed to L.A. thinking she had found a kindred spirit. He was afraid she was right.

He scrutinized the triangular symbol denoting Tee’s ship. It was comprised of colors and numbers, two-dimensional, the opposite of the real woman, who was warm and loving, unpredictable and stubborn, the only person who’d ever made him feel like he was living life, not watching it happen all around him.Grab happiness when it dangles in front of you,his mother often told him.You don’t always get a second chance.His neck tingled, and he closed his eyes, letting his mother’s voice guide him.

“With all due respect, Ian,” Gann interrupted quietly from beside him. “A chance at happiness missed is an opportunity perhaps never repeated.”

Ian’s eyes jolted open. Rom had once said Gann’ssenses were turned to an almost impossible level, but he hadn’t said anything about the man being a mind reader. “Were you referring to yourself?” Ian asked as he turned around. “Or me?”

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