Saint (Gateway Series Book 2) (32 page)

“Screw you,” said Mori as she slammed her pistol into its holster.

“You might want to stop that bleeding,” offered Martin.

Ignoring Martin, Mori turned toward Stone. “You should probably load her into the escape pod now. I’ll launch the two empty ones after I fix this damn wound. After that, I’m getting ready to transfer to the transport ship docked with us.”

“I’ll get her ready.”

“Don’t be long.” Mori turned and limped toward the aft escape pods.

“Don’t be long,” mocked Martin as Mori disappeared down the passageway.

“Stop it,” said Stone as he helped the wrecked Martin to her feet. “She’s important to me.”

“Fine,” huffed Martin. “Just get me to the pod.”

Stone supported Martin as they made their way the short distance to the forward escape pod. Once there, he opened the access door and gently helped Martin into the pod.

“Here’s a full med pack to go along with the one in the pod. The food packs and water—”

“I think I can figure it out, sir.”

“You don’t need—”

The sound of gunfire drew their attention and Stone felt Martin attempt to pull herself from the pod.

“Don’t worry,” said Stone as he placed his hand on Martin’s shoulder to prevent her from exiting the pod. “Orion is firing some rounds into the cargo bay, hanger bay, and a few other spaces to make it look like there was a gunfight as well in case they find parts of
Hydra
when they find you.”

“I bet that Ter pilot is hot about having her ship blown up just to put the finishing touch on the deception. I can only imagine what that crazy engineer—”

Stone laughed. “Yeah, he refused to come out on this run. Called us butchers. Orion had to slip something in his drink last night so he would be out when we left the carrier.”

Stone saw Martin let out a laugh but her expression quickly shift to a somber, determined gaze.

“If this works, sir, it could change everything,” she said.

“It could, Emily. And you don’t need to call me sir anymore.”

Stone felt Martin’s right hand grasp his forearm.

“You’ll always be a Guardsman. Don’t let these people…don’t let her change who you are. Even if we fought for a lie, the Oath we took still holds true.”

Martin’s words tore at him. She was right. But so was Mori.

“I understand,” replied Stone. “But all Humani are descendant from the Terillian people.”

Martin’s grip tightened.

“Our ancestors might have been Akota or Terillian or whatever, but we—including you—are Humani. I’m my father’s daughter, a citizen of Mt. Castra, and a member of the Elite Guard sworn to die for our people. The deception of the First Families doesn’t change the Oath we took one bit. And when we defeat them and the people have a chance to determine their own fate, it will be a Humani, not an Akota that will lead them.”

“But—”

“Sir…Tyler,” Martin interrupted as Stone felt her move her hand from his forearm and cup the back of his head as she leaned forward. “Don’t let these people change you. Even if they think it’s for the best, they—she—wants you to become something you’re not in order to meet their own agenda. That is not what our people need.” She pulled Stone even closer. “I believe in you and will die for you because of the man you are, not because of something I want you to become. And our people, the Humani, will do the same. For you.”

Stone didn’t know how to respond. His head spun from the emotional tug-of-war between Martin and Mori. Both thought he was to become something far more important than he believed he would, or maybe could, be. Every step he had taken toward becoming Akota, toward his life with Mori, had been just been challenged by the one Humani he respected above all for her dedication to her people. His head began to ache. “It’s complicated” was all he could say.

Martin laughed. “You’re making it complicated, sir. You always let your brain override your gut and make things complicated. It might have helped you navigate the First Family bullshit, but your gut is what made, what makes, you a great leader. And you know the truth is pretty damn simple.”

“It’s time” came Orion’s voice over the intercom. “Get her off my ship so we can kill my baby.”

“We should get you launched,” he said. “When you’re far enough away we’ll detonate the charges and blowup
Hydra
so it looks like you blew the ship when you were injured.”

“Let’s do this,” replied Martin as she activated the closure and the pod’s door slid shut.

“See you in a few months,” said Stone into the pod’s intercom link.

“Don’t lose the man I know you to be by trying to become what someone else wants,” warned Martin as she spoke into her intercom.

“Emily—”

Before he could finish, Martin activated the jettison lever and disappeared into the darkness of space as the boundary closure slammed shut.

He let out an exhausted breath as he stared at the armored boundary door where Martin had been seconds ago. It would be months before they would meet again and he had no idea who he would be the next time they met.

About the Author

Brian Dorsey is a retired Naval officer and is currently a nuclear engineering instructor for a naval shipyard and part-time US history instructor for Vincennes University. When not spending time with his family, Brian enjoys reading and researching US and Native American history, watching good TV shows or films (anything by Joss Whedon), camping, hunting, and working on his next writing project. He is married with three adult children.

Current books available in the Gateway Universe

(with more to come!):

Gateway (Gateway Series Book 1)

Cold Planet (A Gateway Universe Story)

Saint (Gateway Series Book 2)

Uprising (Gateway Series Book 3)