“A fight? Do you really think there will be a fight? Out here?” It was the core of her own fears. She didn’t relish the idea of Sam leaving for an indeterminate period, possibly missing the birth. But it was the idea of him going into some unknown battle that scared her to death. She’d just spent almost five months worried sick about him deployed on the Union border, waiting every day for word that Dauntless had been lost with all hands. She’d just gotten him back. She knew she was being selfish, but it just wasn’t fair…

“I don’t know what is going to happen, Lise…but they didn’t cancel Dauntless’s refit, or call nine hundred spacers back from an overdue shore leave, for nothing. There must be something out there, and the ship has to face it alone. There are no other deep space capable fleet units here. Everything is on the Union border. I can’t let them go without me, with my spot unfilled. Any deficiency could be the difference between victory and defeat…even my empty slot.” He paused, moving over and putting his hands on her shoulders. “I’m sorry, Lise. I would stay here with you, you know that. I just can’t.”

She stood silently for a moment. Part of her wanted to argue, to fight with him…to throw everything she could at him in an effort to get him to stay. But she’d known the kind of man he was when she’d married him, and she couldn’t blame him now for being what he’d always been. And she knew he might still go, despite her begging him to stay, and that was something she didn’t want to face.

She leaned forward and wrapped her arms around him. She took a deep breath, struggling to hold back her tears. “You be careful…promise me.”

“I promise.” His answer was quick, almost robotic. She knew he was telling her what she wanted to hear. She tried to believe him, to convince herself everything would be okay. But she had a bad feeling, one that had resisted her attempts to push it aside.

He hugged her tightly, and he leaned in and kissed her. Then he took a step back. “I have to go.”

She could see the sadness in his eyes, and she realized he was doing what he had to do, not what he wanted. At least not what he wanted most.

“I know,” she said softly. “Remember…be careful.”

“I will.” He smiled at her for a few seconds. Then he reached over and grabbed a duffel bag he’d laid on the small couch. He threw it over his shoulder and walked toward the door…and then out into the hall.

Lise stood watching, waiting. Then, when the door was closed, she let the tears come.

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Twelve

Base Tom Wills

Planet Santis, Krillus IV