Page 149 of Seven Oars
“They know I’m a pilot,” he said, as if it explained everything.“Have you heard about Massar?”
Had she?
“Yes.”
Phex nodded.“I took his place.”
“They allowed you?”
“I wasn’t asked.”
Rosamma’s eyes went to the golden panel.“Does it mean… the signal?”
“The robot is watching me.”
She dropped her voice.“But can you try? I can give you a boost!”
He adjusted his rigid posture.“You told me you’re too weak to share your energy.”
“For this, I will share.”
His face was unreadable, but Rosamma sensed he wasn’t happy with this conversation.It was like a part of him had shut down, an integral, important part.
“I’ll see what I can do,” he said with a barely concealed reluctance.
Rosamma nodded earnestly.“Phex, we have to try. Our food will run out sooner or later. We’ve already used one-half.”
His mouth thinned.“You eat too much.”
“Agreed. We can reduce our rations, but in the end, the food will still run out. There’s no other source.”
He sighed and turned sideways from her. His tone softened.“I know.”
“And if the signal thing works out, we all get to go home,” she gently reminded him.
How come he needed a reminder?
Phex frowned.“Except, I can’t go back to Enzomora and be a defender, Rosamma.”
“Why not?” she asked.
“I’ve lost my defender honor.”
Rosamma was aghast.“Oh, this is such… bullshit! You’ve been captured, and you’ve done things under duress. Surely this counts?”
“No.”
“But Simon—Commander Aeshac—was captured, and he probably did things.” She scrambled for a good justification.“He’s still a defender!”
“Different captures and different things. Don’t argue about something you don’t understand.”
“You can still go home, Phex,” she beseeched.
“Yeah…”
Tutti made unhappy noises, and Phex used it as an excuse to make Rosamma leave.
She walked down the passageway slowly.
