“It’s not just you, Feng,” Su-Yong said aloud. “It’s millions of lives. I was wrong. I created this situation. I have to make amends. You came here to set a precedent for the future. I choose to do the same. I will die rather than have them launch. We’re out of time. Please, Feng – save Ling. Take her and leave. Two minutes until I must blow the reactor, to let them know.”

“Aaaaah!” Feng fell to his knees, slammed his hands against the cold floor.

He knelt there for a moment, in despair, in frustration.

Then he rose, stepped forward, and gently, oh-so-gently, scooped Ling up in his arms.

Sam listened, in horror.

Then she stared down at Kade, bleeding, struggling to breathe.

Jesus. It was all for fucking nothing.

Feng came up with Ling in his arms.

“Get Kade,” he said to her.

Sam crouched down.

Kade shook his head, raised one hand weakly.

“Not… gonna make it… no way…”

Oh no. She looked at him and he was so right, there was no way he’d survive the acceleration up to the surface, the emergency pull of moving out so quickly.

That didn’t stop the anger shooting through her.

“You have to try!” Sam yelled.

He shook his head again. “…Slow you down…” he managed. “…go…”

“There’s a chance!”

He looked at her, his eyes met hers.

“…Sam…” he coughed. “…you didn’t kill me…” he coughed again, blood coming up. “…I chose…”

Then Feng’s hand landed on her shoulder, gently.

“He’s chosen, Sam,” Feng said. His voice was broken, devastated. His hand was steady. “He’s a soldier. Let him die like one.”

Sam stared down at Kade.

“Kade…”

What the hell was there to say?

She bent down, took his face in one hand, pressed her cheek against his for a moment.

“You did good,” she said, holding their faces together like that. A tear fell from one eye. “You did better than anybody knows.” She swallowed. “You deserved better.”

He coughed weakly in response.

“…thanks…”

Sam stood and took one last look at the dying boy before her. He smiled up at her. She did her best to smile back.

Then she turned and ran through the massive doors, for the elevator cable, and the powered ascenders.

Feng crouched before Kade, Ling’s unconscious form in one arm.

Kade’s eyes were fluttering, closing. He put his hand on Kade’s shoulder.

I’m sorry it was like this, he sent Kade.

Kade’s eyes flew open again, met Feng’s.

I’m not… He replied. You’ve been… best friend I could ask for… these months. Better.

Feng smiled sadly. I love you like a brother. You’re the first brother I chose.

Go save Ling, Feng, Kade sent. Go tell the world… choice Su-Yong made… Make it count… Make sure Sam… tells too.