Read Online Legacy Code by Autumn Kalquist - Free Book Online Page B

it, and he led her into the corridor.
    The pit in Era’s stomach grew as each step brought them closer to the hangar bay. She tightened her grip on Dritan’s hand, memorized the feel of his warm touch, the way his larger hand encompassed her small one, how each long finger felt intertwined with her own.
    The climb down to zero deck brought back visions of her nightmare. She’d had it again, had lain awake afterward. Dritan wouldn’t be here to keep the nightmares away any longer.
    No matter how she wished this wasn’t happening, how she wished she could freeze time and keep him, the bay drew ever closer. And then they were there.
    A guard stood outside the doors holding a scanner. Dritan lifted his shift card, and the guard logged it.
    Dritan gave it to Era. “Keep it safe. I’ll need it when I get back.”
    She nodded mutely and shoved his card in her pocket.
    Acrid fumes burned her throat as they stepped into the dim hangar bay. A dozen battered transports were docked here, small and pathetic in a vast space that had been built to hold so many more.
    Her nails bit into her palms, and she forced herself to unclench her fists. Stupid to hate machines that were just doing their job. The president and board were the ones sending Dritan down to Soren.
    A crowd of colonists and their loved ones gathered at the loading area—tense, waiting. Era recognized most of them from the galley and the personnel files she’d seen at the repository.
    As Era and Dritan reached them, a child cried out from somewhere in the crowd. Era’s heart lurched, and she turned toward the source of the sound. The blonde, Janet Lanar, snuggled close to her husband, their small daughter in her arms.
    Lucky enough to have a healthy child, then ripped away from her family by the draft. None of this was fair.
    Era tore her gaze from the little girl’s face and gripped Dritan’s hand tighter. He squeezed three times. She blinked away tears and squeezed back. I. Love. You.
    Dritan’s mother had taught him that. It was one of the only things he remembered about her. Would he get the chance to hold their child’s hand—show his love without needing a word?
    They stood in silence and waited for the transport pilot to begin the boarding process. Her palm grew slick against Dritan’s, but she didn’t let go.
    Zephyr hurried through the doors. She rushed over to them, her face red, hand pressed to her side. “I heard at mess. If I had more time, I could’ve sent a comm to my father, or—”
    “I wouldn’t have let you.” Dritan narrowed his eyes and shook his head. “I won’t stay here while my crew risks their lives.”
    An alarm blared from the transport, and its heavy metal door began its slow descent to the ground. Era’s stomach dropped. Dritan lifted her chin and turned her face away from the transport.
    Breathe. This was it. He’d be gone soon. She needed to remember. She burned his image into her mind. The curves of his face, smooth dark skin, high cheekbones, hazel eyes glistening with tears that matched her own. And that way he looked at her that let her know how much she was loved.
    “I’m coming back,” he whispered.
    Era nodded. She’d break down in front of everyone if she tried to speak.
    The pilot began calling out the list of names. Janet and her family, engaged in a tearful good-bye, stepped into Era’s line of sight.
    No. This was happening too fast. She couldn’t let Dritan leave. She had to find a way to keep him here.
    “Dritan Corinth,” the pilot called out.
    Era’s body went cold, and the pressure in her chest made it hard to breathe. Dritan wrapped his strong arms around her and pressed his lips to hers. Would this be the last time she kissed him?
    The embrace ended too soon.
    “I love you.” His eyes shone.
    “I love you.” Era barely heard her voice.
    Dritan’s eyes flicked to her belly, and he rested his hand there for a moment before stepping away. He looked at Zephyr. “You watch out for