So this is a fucking bloody mess. I am sitting in a large cavernous room, staring at the ceiling. My feet are propped up against one of the many tables, fingers laced behind my head.

My calloused fingers absently rub the smoothness of my bald head. The sensation is becoming a source of comfort in an odd way.

I am either in some sort of lecture hall or a giant-ass meeting room. Either way, I enjoy the echo. I haven't been in a room like this since the Academy. Some crazy things went down in a room like this.

Britt stands at the end of one of the tables, standing tall, not quite in a salute but not relaxed. It hurts to look at him, but that is Britt. The soldier.

Just when I can't stand the waiting anymore, almost slamming my feet down and stomping away, I hear them—whispering in conversation while walking our way.

The Orikai Masters are coming. Something similar to anxiety pools in my stomach, making me shift slightly in my chair.

I stretch out my stiff muscles. They need more use than what they are getting. Britt hasn't said anything to me since we boarded. She is secure in the Orikai's med bay.

I am not sure what is about to happen, and if I bothered to take the time and think about it, I don't think I would know which way I want this to go.

Do I want them to send me back to Armada to complete the mission? Completing this mission would mean it's finally over. But, I probably would never see Her again.

My guts twist just at the thought. It can't be over. Whatever I need to do regarding Her doesn't feel done. I don't think I can just walk away anymore. Fuck!

What the hell is it about Her that makes me lose my cool. Never before in my history of Armada employment have I ever wanted to go against direct orders this badly. Sometimes I am an ass for the sake of being an ass, but this is different.

Just as I digest this revelation, my heart jumps into my throat, choking me. Without even realizing what I am doing, I am on my feet and standing at attention as I watch Sica walk into the lecture hall with Dr. Nekkal.

What the hell would the United Galactic Secretary of Defense and the Chief of the United Galactic Shield for Endangered Species be doing on an Orikai spacecraft?

They are supposed to be helping run Armada. Aren't they?

Standing at attention, fully alert now, I find I have a million questions. I peak a glance at Britt, but as usual, he shows no emotion and stands unmoved.

I hope he will look at me and let me know he is just as confused. Don't ask me why but I don't want to be alone in feeling left out of the loop just now.

However, he doesn't even so much as blink. He stays staring straight ahead as the small group approaches him first.

"Lieutenant General! At ease."

Britt relaxes his stance slightly but stays staring straight ahead. He doesn't do 'at ease' very well.

He probably is just counting the seconds until he can run as far away from me as possible. Or at least that is the feeling I am getting from him.

"Lieutenant General, we have looked over your report, and we thank you for your diligence in keeping both the objective and the Marshal safe. You have done this Universe a great service, soldier. More than you will probably ever understand."

Sica seems genuinely impressed with Britt. Who wouldn't be? The guy is a model soldier—a bloody boy scout.

However, she sounds almost sad as she continues, "Unfortunately, General, we can no longer use your services here. You are dismissed and free to return to your station at Armada and await your next deployment."

My blood pressure shoots through the roof. I am going to lose my shit. My mind bounces between panic and reason.

NO! You cannot send my only friend away! FUCK NO!

Easy Zea. Control. Control.

Before I can voice my protest, Britt's head snaps in my direction with only a slight shake of the head; no. He wants to go. I think my heart just stopped.

He's done with me. How can I blame him? I mean, really.

"Thank you, Lady Secretary." Britt gives her a salute, and then without even a glance in my direction, he marches out of the giant empty hall. I feel like a part of me has been ripped out and is walking away with Britt as he leaves.

Then unexpectedly, he sends me a silent message that gives me hope.

"We are not done, princess. Don't have an aneurysm, Zea." I feel his warm chuckle kiss my mind. "The Orikai instructed me to make sure Sica didn't connect me to them or you beyond our working relationship. It has to be this way for now."

Right. Britt still can hear all my thoughts for some reason. Something in my gut relaxes. I finally feel like I can breathe.

In response, I send my love, gratitude and grief at losing his presence beside me in a wave of emotions. He needs to know how much he means to me.

"Marshal!"

Sica's harsh voice startles me, and I stand at attention. I keep my face blank and stare at nothing and everything.

"Marshal, we have a slight predicament, I am afraid. And even more unfortunate, you are right in the middle of it."

Sica stares at me expectantly. Like I know what the stars she is talking about. As far as I am concerned, the only predicament I visible is an Armada official being inside this Orikai ship messing with my pleasant day.

I turn a steely gaze towards her. There is no 'at ease soldier' for me. This ought to be good.

"Have you nothing to say, Marshal? You almost lost our objective, and had it not been for the Orikai, well, it is safe to assume you all would be dead. Including the Universe's last hope for survival."

Her animal eyes bore into my skull with such a ferocity I almost wince. My pride won't let me. Instead, I glare back even harder.

"Excuse me, Lady Secretary, for my apparent incompetence... Wait. What did you just say?"

What in the blazing stars!

She had just referred to Her, as the Orikai do. Had they known the whole time? Does everyone in Armada know?

Sica seems annoyed at my apparent ignorance. She seems to think I should have figured it all out by now.

I can't stop my eye roll and swallow a snort of disgust. I hate games, and this is a game. Granted, she looks like a giant walking pet. What am I to expect. That almost made me snicker.

Ya, I know I am not the most mature when upset. And really, that isn't even close to a fair insult, but I refuse to feel bad. I am angry.

"Ok, Marshal Zea, I will break it down for you. Nekkal and I are the only ones out of all the Armada officials to truly know what or who your objective is. We fed the rest of the officials a story about how she must be important if so many others were after her. Maybe having information stored in her memory for a massive weapon, or something like that." She smiles coyly, obviously pleased at how easily she has fooled the rest of Armada.

"However, there is something most of you outworlders don't know about us, Nefiram. We are not originally from this Universe. We were once the slaves of the elite Krog's. Not much better than pets and entertainment for the wealthy. We happened to survive as a species for only one reason. The Krog Princess, Ariatha."

Sica turns her head so I can't see her eyes. Rumours have it that Nefiram inherit their parent's memories, almost like instincts. Maybe Sica remembers the Princess. The one I had known as an infant.

Ok, that's a bit trippy. Not sure I am ready for this.

Even with Sica's gaze averted, I feel the wave of sorrow that descends upon her. This is a difficult topic for her. It almost softens my heart. Almost. Britt isn't here, so I am not ready to forgive just yet. She is still a sneaky bitch who likes to mess with people.

Regaining composure Sica works her eye aversion into a supposed need to start pacing as she silently glides from table to table.

"I won't bore you with details, but let's just say the Princess had a far better understanding of kindness and humility than any Krog my ancestors had ever met prior. She always treated everyone, even the servants, like family.  Before she disappeared, she confided a very serious secret to my people. To be precise, she told the woman who would be the new Mother to my people her secret.

"When we arrived in this Universe, we were met by the Orikai. A race moved here from another Universe in a different dimension than ours. They helped my people, the Nefiram, to find a new planet and rebuild. Not only that, we needed their help to keep the secret, Her secret, safe. Your sister's secret safe. It wasn't surprising to my people that the Orikai already knew everything."

I am not ready for this. It cuts me like a hot knife through butter. I feel the burn down to my toes. How the hell does everyone seem to know my story but for me!

Seriously. What in the stars is going on?

Sica's great ancestors were with my family before they died. What the stars does this all mean?

I have a million questions but can't find the willpower to speak without totally losing my shit, so I stay quiet. I do my best to control my breathing and keep my heart rate from spiking.

I stare at anything instead of making eye contact with Sica. I can't explain it, but knowing that yet someone else knows my secret, my past, before I do, is a little enraging.

"Have you nothing to say? Don't you want to know what the secret is?"Sica seems surprised I am not begging for more information.

Had she expected me to be overwhelmed with joy that someone was going to finally solve the puzzle for me?

Little did she know.

The memory of Britt leaving the room just moments before, acting cold and detached, being forced to walk away from me floods my senses.

Britt knows. He knows that I already know everything. I may be late to the party, but I finally understand.

Britt had seen it with me. Something I should never have burdened him with. Yet perhaps it is for the best. I have less explaining to do this way, and I swore I wouldn't keep secrets from him. Yet, the loss of my closest friend and lover is a pain I am not sure I can bear. I know he said we would see each other again, but tomorrow is never a sure thing.

Yet I won't stop hoping he pulls one of his amazing Britt moves and finds a way back to me.

The emotions are suddenly overwhelming, and I feel the room closing in around me. The edges of my vision go white.

Not sure exactly what is happening now. But things are going wrong. I feel it.

The emotions are coming so hard and so fast, reality leaves me.

Once again, I get sucked into the world. She had taken me to. Showing me all that was and all that will be.