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The Vast Collective Series Books #9-13
Flood 11.4 One Man's End Is Another Empire's Beginning

Flood 11.4 One Man's End Is Another Empire's Beginning

{Enki | Medical Bay}

“Miy, can you acknowledge me?”

Pablo was trying to reach the thorny Lyrik, who was singing in the middle of their evacuation. Even with the power outage and lack of gravity, he refused to leave her.

T.a.o. waited with Twenty-One and Lynn, holding Echo, while Pablo tried to break Miy’s programming mid-float.

Something flit in the corner of Pablo’s eye, announcing Razor’s arrival before the Pain Curator said, “I’m afraid it will be another moment. Once I complete the chorus using our lovely Lyrik here, she’ll be free. Don’t waste a second to evacuate. Rayne’s accelerating.”

Pablo and Razor turned and looked toward the bay housing Triss’ body. In a deep voice filled with sadness, Razor said, “You must leave her behind with me. Tell Echo of her parents’ last moments. Together.”

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Lynn surprised Pablo by saying, “We will.” Twenty-One stared at her in disbelief, and she shrugged. “Woman-to-woman, what Triss did was incredibly selfless, and if you’re coming through for the Shadow, Razor, then you earned Echo knowing your part in the fall of Enki.”

The Pain Curator’s responding smirk was bitter, sad, and proud before he flitted away.

“He is why I’m here,” T.a.o. confessed.

Although Pablo had been curious why the ancient Seamswalker came to their rescue, he didn’t dare pry. “Thank you.” He glanced from her to the massive Icarus at her side. “Twenty-One?”

“Yes, Dr. Suarez?”

Pablo wet his lips, and the act of it squeezed his heart because he knew Lynn watched it closely. Resolute, he said, “I’m breaking my vows, and I need your help.”

Lynn cried, “What?!”

Twenty-One called, “Say no more. See you in Ishkur or Eternity.”

While Lynn panicked with Echo in her arms, Twenty-One took hold of Pablo’s wife and Razor’s daughter. T.a.o. dragged them through a conduit to Ishkur. It closed behind her.

Pablo swallowed hard, hoping it wasn’t regret. “I won’t leave you, Miy. Razor said we’d have one second to escape, and if we don’t—Well, at least I saved Echo and Lynn.”

Miy continued to sing, non-responsive to his words.

Closing his eyes, Pablo prayed to Elden that Razor pulled through, so Pablo and his wife could get to work on having a dozen babies of their own.