Page 31 of Rogue Starfighter

Vesh stopped moving. Not even a blink.

“You don’t have to answer now,” I said. “But if we’re going into enemy territory together, I need to know what happened.”

He looked out at the stars. For a long moment, I thought he would refuse. “His name was Tavik.” His voice had changed. Rougher. Quiet.

“Was he your friend?”

“He was my brother.”

That was not what I was expecting. Arturri’s landing lights appeared ahead.

“Command is preparing a reconnaissance mission,” Vesh said. “The briefing is tomorrow. They want us to enter Xandraxian space and locate Queen Raya’s new supply lines.”

“How dangerous?”

“Very.”

“Are you going to tell them I’m not ready?”

“I have not decided.”

“I flew the corridor.”

“One corridor.”

“Perfectly.”

“Recklessly.”

“You liked it.”

His mouth twitched. “I did not dislike it.”

From Vesh, that was practically a standing ovation. I requested landing clearance and guided the Wraith toward the recon bay. As the moon rose to fill the viewport, I glanced at the empty space between our seats.

“Tell me about Tavik tonight,” I said.

Vesh’s hands curled into fists. Then he nodded.

5

Vesh, Private Quarters, Moon Base Arturri

I knew she was going to ask about Tavik. I intended to tell her the shortest version possible. Tavik was my brother. He died. I did not want another co-pilot. End of discussion.

Priya ruined that plan before I sat down. She had changed out of her uniform and into loose Earth clothes that slipped off one shoulder. Her bare feet were tucked beneath her in one of the low chairs in our common room. She held a cup of Velerion bitter-root tea between both hands and regarded it with deep suspicion.

“This tastes like somebody boiled a fence post.”

“It is considered soothing.”

“By whom?”

“The manufacturer, presumably.”

Her mouth twitched. “There he is.”

“Who?”