The Commanders’ Mate

me between them as we all silently

you give yourself to me, accept me as your

She’d trusted in it so intensely that she left everything she knew for mates halfway across the galaxy.
And that trust was like a delicate Prillon flower, something to covet and protect, admire and nurture. With anything Prillon, the flower was sturdier than it looked. It could withstand strong wind, horrible weather and survive

.
Small chance with only twenty-seven… no, twe

looked at something on a display in front of

one.
I was swirling with Dara in my

Commander. Get out of there.”
I jump-floated down from the roof of the fighter to the s

need help.”
“Confirmed.” I continued my report. Their six meant the rear of the ship. It was Earth slang, but everyone in the fleet had picked it up quickly, once the humans started showing up in fight squadrons.

Chloe cursed at me, but I was right, and

need all the luck I could get.
Fifteen silent minutes later, I flew directly at the ship that I assumed was responsible for the destruction of the Hyrad Battlegroup. Nine thousand lives lost. The Varsten. Thirty of the toughest warriors I knew, friends, dead, along with one of the most respected battle commanders in the fleet.
And now the Hive was