Dellian felt Yirella stiffen at Kenelm’s words.
‘It is unlikely we will ever see each other again,’ the Captain continued, facing Loneve’s image, ‘but I would suggest that our descendants will meet your descendants back on a reclaimed Earth.’
‘A prophecy we will strive to fulfil,’ Loneve said formally. ‘On behalf of all of us who have chosen this life, I thank you for your service and wish you the best of luck.’
‘Gonna need a hell of a lot more than luck to win this,’ Falar muttered. Tilliana jabbed him with an elbow.
Kenelm gave Longeve’s image a dignified bow. ‘This is a bittersweet parting. We advance once more to confront the ancient enemy. The Saints are no longer with us, but their spirit infuses every one of us. The FinalStrike mission will honour their memory with the same selfless determination they showed us. Know this, Saints: We will not let you down.’
‘We will not let you down,’ Dellian promised solemnly. Or we’ll die trying.
Kenelm gestured, and everyone stood. ‘We depart not in sorrow, but with hope,’ sie said.
Dellian’s optik display showed him all the portal connections with the habitats shut down. The Morgan’s drive powered up, and they started to accelerate. Around them, the rest of the thirty-strong fleet was moving, spreading wide as they left the three habitats behind, assuming the broad circular formation that they would maintain for the next hundred and thirty-seven lightyears.
He watched the screen in silence as the dim habitats began to shrink away behind them. Then three expansion portals grew rapidly, their slender blue rims glowing in welcome as the habitats slid into them. Before long, even that sight faded from view. That’s it; we’re committed now. He turned and kissed Yirella. ‘Whatever happens, I’m glad we’ll face it together.’
She gave him an uncertain grin. ‘Thank you.’
Dellian faced the squad. ‘Okay, one last training session tomorrow, then it’s straight into the suspension chambers. I seriously do not want to spend twelve years stuck on this ship staring at you guys.’
London
11th December 2206
The holding cell was all concrete – walls, floor and ceiling. Its door was metal, and half a metre thick, blast proof.
Ollie still hadn’t taken his insurance collar off. He sat on the carbon-frame cot, next to Lolo. They didn’t hold hands. Didn’t talk. Both of them staring ahead.
Finally, Ollie couldn’t stand it any more. ‘WHAT THE FUCK?’ he screamed.
Lolo started crying.
‘Oh, for Christ’s sake.’ Ollie tentatively put an arm around hir.
‘I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I’m sorry.’
‘Why, though?’ Ollie asked, genuinely perplexed. ‘This is a shit time to be alive, and getting worse. I was probably about to die squaring up to Nikolaj. The London shield will fall just like Berlin. How could you get pregnant?’
‘It just sort of happened. My gender cycle is off. I think it was the stress. It was an accident. But it’s a beautiful accident, Ollie. We’re going to have a baby!’
‘The kid . . . We’re not going to get out of this, you know that, right? It’s going to be the shortest, most miserable life ever. My kid . . .’
‘Ollie, where there’s life, there’s hope. Always.’
‘You are so fucking stupid.’
‘I’m sorry.’
He leant in closer. ‘Stop saying that.’ One hand strayed to Lolo’s stomach, pressing against the red dress fabric. ‘How far on are you?’
‘Two and a half months.’
‘You don’t show. Are you sure?’
‘Pregnancy tests are infallible. I took four.’
‘Why didn’t you tell me?’
‘I was afraid. I mean, this isn’t the best day in the world, is it?’
‘This day wouldn’t have happened if you’d told me.’
‘It’s not my fault!’ sie blubbed.
‘I know. All right. I’m the one who’s sorry, okay? I shouldn’t be shouting at you. It’s just . . . timing, Lolo. Timing is really not your thing.’
‘They’re going to offer you a deal.’
‘I know.’
‘Don’t do anything crazy, okay? I love you. I can’t do this without you.’ Hir hand went to hir belly.
He nodded brokenly. ‘Got it.’
‘Do you really think London will fall?’
‘Not now. Not for you. I’ll make sure of that. If nothing else, you’re a Utopial. You’re entitled to repatriation back to Akitha.’ He lifted his head up, hunting around for the sensors that must be there but remained invisible. ‘Hear that? And that’s before you make me an offer!’
‘I can’t go without you,’ Lolo said.
‘Let’s just see where this takes us, okay? They must need me pretty badly, or I’d be face-down at the bottom of the docks by now.’ Ollie gave the blank walls an expectant look.
The door swung open less than a minute later. Kohei Yamada walked in, still wearing the same jacket. Two armoured paramilitary guards stood outside.
‘Right, then,’ Kohei said. ‘Lolo, time for you to say goodbye to your boyfriend. Ollie and I are going to have a little chat.’
‘I’m not going anywhere,’ Lolo insisted.
Ollie knew that tone well enough. He sighed and put his arms around hir, kissing hir gently. ‘It’s okay. This is our ticket out, so don’t blow it for me.’
Lolo scowled at Kohei, then made a show of standing up reluctantly. ‘Be careful. I don’t trust them.’
‘Me neither.’
‘You know they took Bik and your grandmother when they brought me in? They loaded their cocoons on a truckez.’
Ollie gave Kohei a sharp look. ‘No shit?’
‘So,’ Lolo said portentously. ‘What you said.’
‘Uh, what was that?’
‘You’re not paranoid if they are actually out to get you.’ Sie gestured around the cell.
‘Take care,’ Ollie said, and gave hir a kiss, resting his face on hirs. ‘And . . . eat properly, all that crap. And no nark, either.’
‘I’d stopped over a month ago.
