but who knows? Maybe it’s the path to something better than you could imagine.”
“Better than engineering school? I doubt it. Let’s not forget I’m leaving behind an incredible Imdiko only days after I made his acquaintance.”
Vax’s heart quickened. “Hey, we should have a couple of weeks or more before they send you off for training. Right?”
Bacoj tried to smile again. He failed.
They got in the line that diminished as fast as men joined it. Within less than a minute, a Nobek soldier, his sleeveless formsuit showing off scarred and muscled biceps, approached with a handheld at the ready.
“Name?”
“Dramok Bacoj, son of Clan Rilb.” Bacoj’s tone was resigned but firm.
“Territorial district?”
“Western.”
The soldier tapped his handheld. “Floor Twenty-eight, Section BVJ. Take the third in-house transport over there.” He motioned toward the elevators and turned to Vax.
“I’m just here to wish him luck.” Vax beamed at the Nobek cheerfully.
The soldier’s lips quirked, as if he held back an answering grin. “This is as far as non-recruits can go…Imdiko, correct? Unless you’re eager to sign up for the glory of serving our empire?”
“Can I be in charge?”
The Nobek relaxed the stern demeanor, chuckling at Vax’s cheekiness. He waved them off as he headed toward the next Dramok recruit.
The banter had eased some of Bacoj’s angst. He chuckled at Vax’s antics. “You can wait for me in my shuttle. Don’t let that guy talk you into signing up for war. Or into running off with him and leaving me behind.”
“His scars aren’t that impressive.” Vax winked. “I’ll see you when you’re done.”
Bacoj trudged off to the transport, joining a dozen others. Vax watched him and waved as the doors closed.
He moved out of the way of others lining up. He took a few steps toward the shuttle, then stopped. He considered the hangdog draftees and the soldiers sending them to their fates.
By all accounts, Kalquor was barely holding its own in the war. The empire had the superior military and technology, but it was badly strained against the sheer numbers of its enemy.
The Nobek soldier he’d joked with walked by, intent on more new arrivals. Vax put on his best smile once more and approached him. “Excuse me?”
“Yes?”
“You wouldn’t happen to know when the military will start calling in my breed, would you?”
Chapter Four
Two hours after stepping into the in-house transport as a civilian, Bacoj leaned against his shuttle, staring at the ocean outside the landing and docking bay, waiting for Vax. He was worried and trying not to be. The message Vax had left on his com, though tersely worded, wasn’t exactly anxiety-provoking: Something came up. Be right back. After all, how far could Vax have gone in the mammoth cliff? Especially with soldiers limiting access to the facility.
Bacoj hoped it was nothing big. After the poking and prodding of the physical exam and signing dozens of forms, then meeting his squad and commander for his assignment—activities light years from his dreams of engineering school—he was more than ready to leave.
At least training wasn’t for another month. Bacoj was hoping for a lot of pity fucks from Vax before he shipped out.
I wish it could be more than that. But who knows how long the war will last or when I can come home? By then, Vax would have re-affirmed his decision of career before commitment. Or he might even meet another Dramok.
Bacoj’s stomach clenched. He adored Vax. He could see himself happy for years, if not forever, with the Imdiko.
He stared out at the ocean, thinking his regrets were as vast as that expanse. He had to be the unluckiest man alive.
Soft footsteps grabbed his attention. He turned to spot Vax heading toward him, coming from the direction of the in-house transports. His bright grin eased Bacoj’s angst despite himself. That smile could light up the world, he thought.
“Where did you run off to?” Bacoj pushed off the shuttle to greet him.
“I signed up for the war.”
Bacoj snorted at the joke. “Did they put you in charge, like you wanted?”
“Only of my department.” Vax held up his handheld to show Bacoj a form on its holoscreen.
A military assignment form. The print swam before Bacoj’s gaze the instant he recognized it. Vax’s name was on it as a recruit.
He blinked and studied Vax. “Tell me you’re joking.”
“It would be funny if I were. But forging a government document is a felony. As of now, I’m in the fleet, like you.”
Bacoj tried to wrap his brain around what had happened. He couldn’t. “Why?”
“I asked some