Page 90 of Call of the Fathoms

“That’s where the depthstriders come in. Alexia is dropping the shield around the city as soon as she can, and the depthstriders will work on dismantling the city’s exterior. Apparently, there are glass structures that stand between the water just outside of Tau. Once those are removed, the entrances into the city are vast and many.” Daios shrugged. “The depthstriders will puncture through the windows of the city. One by one.”

As far as plans went, it wasn’t that bad. Tau had never been attacked outright. Which meant although they had prepared for years, their protections had never been tested before.

They approached Mira’s workshop and were greeted by a wall of droids. The flashing lights and bleeping sound of their language filled the water with red hues and strange echoes. Droids always made him uncomfortable.

Mira was already out of her workshop in a silver wetsuit. She had her rebreather over her face, swimming around a familiar battery. She barely acknowledged them, but did at least look over her shoulder at their approach.

“It looks good to go,” she muttered, but there was a pinch to her expression that Fortis found familiar at this point. “I don’t know. It’s not the same battery the ship used before, and I’m afraid that will make it pretty fucking obvious that it’s been tampered with.”

“Just tell Alexia. She’ll make up a reason for it. Perhaps she had to dock at an old facility to make her return.”

“Not a bad idea. But you’ll have to be the one to tell her.” Mira shrugged. “She’s already coming this way, anyway. They should have briefed her by now.”

Already? Surely not. There were countless reasons they needed to take their time, and yet... He turned and there shewas. Swimming over to them in that graceful way she always managed. Flippers on her feet, a mask securely around her face, and her hair braided into a higher, slicker ponytail.

Damn it, this was really happening. No matter what he did to slow it down.

Determination turned Alexia’s expression almost into something unrecognizable. “Oh good, you already have the battery ready.”

Mira nodded. “I’m concerned about the look, though. They’ll know this isn’t the same battery you were sent out with.”

“I’m sure they’ll expect that. I have been gone for two months. They know I didn’t have enough power to sustain me that long. I’ll think up something.” Alexia waved a hand, then looked at him. “Think you can carry both of us, big guy?”

This was his moment to say no. He couldn’t, actually, carry both of them. It was a valid reason to not be able to bring her anywhere. He’d need someone else to go on this suicide mission with him. Clearly.

But his stupid mouth said, “I can carry both things just fine, virago.”

Daios and Mira shared a look before his red finned brother cleared his throat. “Once she’s in the ship, you are supposed to head back to the other depthstriders. They have a plan for you to fight with them, and considering your fate, I’m sure Mitera knows where you are supposed to be and at what time.”

He hoped she did, because he sure didn’t. Fortis knew that these were the last moments of his life, though, and he would not linger in the worry and fear of what might happen next.

“Tell Aulax that he was the son I always dreamt of,” he murmured. “And if my boy can find me near her ship, we will have our final moments together.”

He gathered Alexia in his arms, grabbed onto the handle of the battery, and headed out.

They said nothing on the journey. But there weren’t many things left to say. She knew how he felt. She knew that his life had been forever broadened by her actions. The only fear he had was what would happen next, and how soon it would occur.

It didn’t take them nearly long enough to get back to her ship, or perhaps it took the same amount of time and he had just been lost in thought. But far too soon, he saw the ship on the ledge right where they had left it. A fine layer of dust now covered it, but there were marks where the droids had landed.

“The droids made quick work of fixing your ship,” he murmured as he brought them to the ground in front of her ship.

“Mira told me. She said they made sure it would start once the battery is in place.”

They both were far too hesitant to let each other go. Neither of them wanted to say what was going to happen next, and he didn’t want to leave. Not yet. He wanted to make sure she was safely inside. Then he would let her go.

“Just make sure they don’t catch you—” he said, at the same time as she spoke.

“Don’t take any unnecessary risks.”

They both chuckled, and he cupped the side of her neck, drawing her in close to him. “Be safe, virago.”

“Same to you, Fortis. We’ll see each other again.”

He knew they would. But, as she headed into the underbelly of the ship and left him alone in the sea, he feared the next time he would see her would be the end. As he plugged the battery into the top of her dusty ship and watched the lights all turn on, he told himself he had been preparing for this moment for years.

He still wasn’t ready.

Thirty-Seven

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