it was an inoculation so they could go on a transporter outside that sector, but... They died, right there. It was just over. The mentors even talked about it, about risk management and how it was good they only lost two that class. Usually it was higher, they said. They didn’t see me. I knew they didn’t see me; otherwise they would have killed me, too. They dragged the bodies off and put them in one of the incinerators and went—went to lunch like nothing happened. Like they hadn’t just killed two students they’d taught for—for six months, at least.”
“Easy,” Nokx said quietly against her hair, rocking her slightly as EJ’s breathing grew labored and broken. “That’s all over with. It’s in the past.”
Still the Earther in his lap trembled and shook, clearly fighting and refighting the same battle. He’d known many warriors who could not live with the memories of things they’d seen and done, and more still whose memories revisited while asleep and awake. He had his own burdens to bear; it was easier to help another with theirs than fight his.
Violet gave her a few moments to calm down before saying, “So you knew you couldn’t stay.”
“It was either stay and be terrified forever, or... or find some way to escape.” EJ sat up and wiped at her cheeks, though she didn’t pull away from Nokx’s embrace. “So I waited until headquarters sent me after a rebel in a neutral port. I memorized his profile. He didn’t deserve what they had planned for him. Just like I didn’t deserve what they’d planned for me. I did what they told me to and lured him into a hotel room, but I picked one they hadn’t wired for surveillance. I dragged him into the shower so the water would cover up our voices, and I admitted what I was.”
Nokx didn’t like that visual at all—EJ in a shower, filled with steam and soaking wet, with an unknown male. Partially or entirely nude.
EJ’s voice grew stronger, more determined as she put the terrible fate in the Alliance behind her. “He didn’t believe me until I showed him the injector I was supposed to use to disable him. I thought we hadn’t been followed, but one of the overwatchers showed up at the door. I used the injector on him instead. Then the rebel understood. He was going to kill me but I told him—told him what I’d seen and what I knew and promised to help the rebels if he got me out of there.”
Violet smiled. “And he did, I’m guessing?”
“No.” EJ shook her head. “There wasn’t time. I guess there was some kind of tracker on the overwatcher, and when he died it activated a cleanup team. It felt like half the Ministry swooped down on us and started destroying everything, to kill everyone on the port. Just made it clear that they didn’t give a shit about me, but apparently they cared what happened to the overwatcher. The rebel—I think his name was Jax—and I made it to a ship. He put me on it and sent me off the port to join the rebellion, and he stayed behind to try and kill as many of the Ministry people as he could.”
The lawyer sipped more of her beverage and tapped her nails on the mug as she studied EJ. “It would be possible to find out if he survived, if you’re interested? I can communicate with some of my colleagues who are still with the rebellion. They could ask around after an Earther named Jax, or track down what happened on that port if you give me the name and the approximate star-date.”
Nokx growled deep in his chest, and not just because the Earther offered to find another male for the female sitting in his lap. No, he was more concerned that Violet was still in touch with the Galaxos crew who’d stayed behind with the rebellion. Those links could easily be used to track down the Sraibur and ambush them. “Does Faros know you’re still in contact with the Galaxos?”
“It’s not his business,” Violet said coolly. “Just like it’s none of yours. I can communicate with my friends however much and through whatever means I want. No one’s going to track it.”
He grumbled, knowing he’d have to tell Faros and Harzt about the potential security breach. “It is still dangerous. The signal can be intercepted.”
“You don’t even know how it works,” she said. She put the drink