MARS

 

On the bright side, we had something the Etrallia needed, something greater than technology or intelligence, something essential. On the dark side, they had the superior technology, the kind of weapons that, should they choose to use them, could substantially cripple us.

These were the things I contemplated as I sat in Gillis's private laboratory, watching him run the calculations for how much of Earth's ocean water it would take to sustain his people for the next ten years.

"Theoretical, of course." He tapped one claw against the table.

At my uneasy expression, he added. "It is the same as before."

I wasn't sure exactly what he meant.

"We need each other," he said, watching me closely. It was the first time he had admitted such a thing. The first time he'd said more than a few sentences to me, really.

I gave him an encouraging nod, but when he turned his back, I could see only the cup that he'd offered me earlier, water sitting motionless in the glass. I struggled not to reach for it.

The laboratory door eased open with a creak.

"Major Rhine." I leapt to my feet in relief.

He motioned me into the corridor and I glanced at Gillis. "Excuse me," I murmured and quickly shuffled out of the lab.

"What's going on?" I whispered when we were out of range of any Etrallians.

"I'm going looking for it," said Rhine.

"I'm sorry?" He was supposed to be with Lena today.

"Their armory," he muttered like I was a complete idiot.

"Okay..." What did he want me to do, read his mind?

"Are you coming with me, or what?"

I sighed. It was better than watching Gillis try to make conversation.

We began to walk in the direction of the restricted area. "How do you know it's even on this ship? Maybe they have hundreds of supply closets full of those blaster things."

"Regardless, we need to know what we're up against."

"What do you mean?"

"You heard the General. There's only one way this ends."

"To be fair, there's been a loss of life on both sides. More on theirs, actually."

"That wasn't intentional," Rhine shot back. "And thanks to Lena, they're closer than ever to developing a vaccine."

"Right, well. You better hope we don't get caught."