{Reipon}
Kyle kept it to himself, but he thought it was so stupid to risk everyone in a training session before commencing Phase II. Now here they were in the infirmary with the couple responsible unconscious. At least Tameka was generous enough to disperse that nacre energy to help everyone else recover before imploding with her—boyfriend? Baby daddy? Lover? What exactly were she and Xelan these days, anyway—
“You fought so well. I learned a lot I hope to use from watching you.” Ross’ enthusiasm was both genuine and appreciated. Big brothers liked being looked up to by their little sisters.
Kyle never really grew out of that. “Thanks, but since you’re on a simple rebound mission, I hope you won’t need any of it.” He’d talked to Xelan and Korac about keeping his sister assigned to less dangerous objectives.
“Everyone, please.” Pablo staved the waiting fighters and spectators off and away from the infirmary door. Here, in this hallway, they saw through the glass pool and all the surrounding glass tiles of the main veranda. Light from both Reipon’s suns shone through without all the toxic rays of Earth’s sun that combusted the Icari. The light warmed the sincerity in the doctor’s brown eyes. With his best reassuring voice, Pablo said, “I know you’re concerned about our leaders, but they’re in good hands. Please give the infirmary some space. I’ll let you know as soon as they regain consciousness.”
Kyle’s concern bordered on mild. Nothing in this universe could put those two down for long. He was happy to leave to find some other form of recreation until he overheard Korac demand, “I expect to be the first person you inform. With Xelan unconscious, I’m next in command…”
The conversation isn’t what stopped Kyle from leaving. It was the look on his sister’s face as she pretended not to observe the interaction. Not to observe Korac, to be specific. Ross’ eyes went all doe-y, and her cheeks glowed extra pink.
Aw. Hell. Naw.
“Ross, I want to talk—”
“C’mon, Roberts. Let’s go eat.” Andrew grabbed Kyle by the arm and dragged him from the scene.
The last sight he glimpsed before they rounded the corner was a hopeless look in Ross’ eyes. Groaning, he said, “Fuck. I’d prefer Jack any day.”
Andrew handed him a lit joint and said, “We wondered how long it would take you to notice. I lost a thousand credits because it lasted over a month.”
Kyle took a hit and apologized on the exhale. “Sorry, man. Who’s winning?”
“Iuo. He bet three months and swore that working in porn gave him an advantage to reading people—”
Kyle stopped dead in his tracks and met Andrew’s eyes with all the seriousness that he could muster. “Porn had better not be involved with my little sister’s crush on that Icarus.”
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Andrew laughed and shook his head. “There are worse first crushes. She’ll grow out of it. Besides, I think Korac knows, and believe it or not, I think he’s actively discouraging it.”
“Good. Now where is this food you mentioned?”
One thing Kyle actually liked about Xelan was his unexpected abundance of chill. Take, for instance, this puffy white couch he and Andrew ate on. Messy shit like BBQ bore, but that Icarus would simply walk in, give them a wave, and leave. No big deal. It made the house more comfy.
Bones, Twenty-One, and Iuo joined them for lunch in the lounge. Lynn left the ingredients out for them in the kitchen before heading down to help Pablo. Everyone chatted about the training. Strategy, areas for improvement, the super impressive ending that almost killed them all.
Kyle was licking his fingers when Twenty-One remarked, “I want to train with the Valkyrie. They glide and dance with such grace.”
Bones grunted his agreement.
Iuo kicked back in his armchair, saying, “They’re legendary fighters. Everyone in the Vast Collective knows of their prowess.”
“Do you think they’re okay?” Andrew invited reality into the room. “I mean… they’re tough, right?”
The softness of his voice made Kyle swallow his own concerns.
Silence…
Bones assured, “There are none stronger than the Valkyrie. They will soldier through this, and we are closer to saving them with every mission.”
“Here, here.” Twenty-One toasted with his plate. “Karter is a magnificent leader, and Para is capable of more than we could ever know—”
“What about…” The words left Kyle’s lips before he could stop them and died because he couldn’t bear to finish.
The room went quiet, and his friends mostly kept their eyes down.
Except Twenty-One. The hefty Icarus peered at Kyle with that avian head tilt. After a few heartbeats, he said, “We were soldiers our entire lives. Warriors. We fought for Elden before Umbra. Nox’s Verse is contaminated with Tritan fictions.”
“No offense, Iuo.” Bones patted him hard on the back.
The Lamia nodded courteously. “None taken. But please, continue.”
Twenty-One set his plate down and sat forward, staring at Kyle. “There was a legend, a haunting of sorts of a spirit that visited us in our dreams before a battle. This spirit was a beautiful Icarean female, often described as a Valkyrie with black hair and one blue stripe. Black wings with blue tips. The bluest Atramentous.”
Andrew leaned forward, intrigued. “You knew?”
“I wasn’t certain. You see, I’d never met her before that day at the Ecology.” He shot Kyle an apologetic smile for mentioning the day he slept with the woman Kyle loved. “She only visited soldiers who died the next day in battle. It was unsubstantiated rumors and not far-spread. We aren’t a terribly superstitious race, but… her features. They were so distinctive. Right down to the withering sadness inside.”
Kyle swallowed again. Tried to say something. Choked. Looked away in shame and pain. He took a long hit on his joint.
“I don’t believe she’s evil.”
Everyone in the room looked up at Andrew, who continued, “I read her intentions while you were under Celindria’s control. She’s scared of herself more than anything. I think Silence is some awesome power in this universe we’ve yet to completely meet, and with all that power, I think she fears her own capability.”
Bones glanced at Kyle and wet his lips before asking, “So you think we can salvage her?”
Iuo and Twenty-One both perked at this.
When Andrew looked at Kyle, there was so much confidence and warmth that it burned him. “I know it.”
Sagan entered the room, saving Kyle from the tears overwhelming him. “Hey everyone, Tameka and Xelan are awake and moving around!”
Hope lived in this house as long as they believed in each other.
Kyle could keep his faith in Silence a little while longer.