Page 79 of Time Forged

“Teach me that this night,” Fyca said, spinning in his seat to smile at his Dar Eth.

“It is I, Ambassador Barro, on my way to meet with King Xeus.Do not fire.My apologies for the delayed response.The ship has new functionality we are not familiar with.”

Cylo kept his features stoic.The odds of an ambassador receiving an advanced ship without a trained pilot were laughable.But since he’d revealed himself, Cylo wouldn’t call him a liar.

“Should I send my data officer to assist?”He had to offer even though Olin was no longer on board.If Etteria could gain stealth tech, any future covert operations would have a higher success rate.

“That would require we both slow our ships,” Barro said.

“Yes,” Cylo confirmed.This would delay their arrival, but he was hoping for no more than an hour.The knot in his stomach hardened.He couldn’t shake the thought that this was a trap.

“Very well.”

Cylo glanced at Fyca.“Pilot, all systems halt.”This was reckless, but what choice did he have?He’d rather learn what he was dealing with than run to Issneen like a coward.“Ambassador, please share your location and prepare to be boarded.”

Fyca ended the comm.“We do not have a kuta.”

“I am aware,” Cylo said, flooding his tone with strained patience.

Fyca pushed on.“And with Olin not on board—”

“I will go.”Cylo arched a brow like him going was ever in doubt.

“Alone?”Fyca scowled.

“No.”Zive pushed off the doorframe and ventured deeper into the comm.“I have data analysis experience, and as an Eth, your life is not expendable.I insist you remain with Lady Wren.”

Cylo glared.“For the last time—”

“Your eye color fluctuates even when you are not emotional.”Zive gave him a pointed look.“On the slim chance the Ethera is working, we will act as if it has chosen you.”

“I have to agree with Medic Zive,” Fyca said.

“I do not need your approval,” Cylo snapped.“My mission, my scimitar, my decision.”

“We have no idea what awaits us.”Zive folded his arms across his chest.

“I am trained for this.”Cylo wasn’t about to back down.Not only was it his right, but endangering anyone else wasn’t an option for him.

“You wish to steal this knowledge,” Zive growled.“That is dishonorable.”

“In your world, yes.In mine, if it is for the good of Etteria—”

“Informing King Xeus of this discovery would allow him to barter for it.There is no need to act dishonorably.Which is why I will go.”Zive crossed the comm and stopped an inch from Cylo, shoving his face into his.“I pull rank as a lima kuu.”

Cylo bristled.“Alodon’s balls, this is not—”

“Enough,” Yelur said, his calm voice slicing through the tension.“I will go with Zive.You,” he pointed at Cylo, “will come, too, but you will not take lead.Guard the door and our backs.”

“Thatyou have been trained for,” Zive finished with a firm nod.

“I have the location,” Fyca said, making the forevids zoom into a strip of shimmering stars.A bay door opened, serving as a beacon of light.“Target confirmed.”

Cylo scowled at the elder males.“Suit up.”

He marched off, stomping his displeasure like a damu.Grimacing at his behavior, he paused, drew in a shuddering breath, and proceeded to stride to his quarters.There, he summoned a spacesuit from the replicator and peeled it on, trapping his braid down his body to an ankle.He pocketed daggers then strapped a blaster to his thigh.With a new helmet tucked under his arm, he returned to the common.

Wren was in stasis with Ariez vigilantly monitoring her.She was safe, for now.

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