“And when you were teaching, you were talking to your students about more than just fighting technique. You gave them life lessons, hope, a way to make things better.” The line hissed as he let out a long sigh. “I feel like you did more on that base in twelve days than I’ve done in my career at SpaceTech. You showed who you are, Amihanna.”

I hissed when he said my name.

“I know you don’t feel comfortable with your real name, but you will. This is the last day of Maité Martinez. Once this is over, you’re Amihanna di Aetes, and I won’t let you down again. I swear it on my life. I’m here for you, Ami. We’re here for you, but please, stay safe. We need you to be okay.”

We? My hands shook as I kept looking at the supplies. I wasn’t okay, but hopefully I would be.

Five tubes of water. Three electrolyte packets. Seven energy bars.

“All right, kid,” Carl’s voice sounded through the ship’s com and my wrist unit.

I swallowed.

“Santiago is all done, and the hangar has been cleared. You’re good to go for the next ten. Better get a move on.”

I blew out a breath as I sat down in the pilot chair, pressing the button for the safety straps. Not that they would do any good if the whole ship blew up, but they made me feel safer.

My hands were shaking and sweating. I wiped them off on my pants and tried my best to push the fear far enough away to give me room to think—to breathe.

“Powering up now.” I pushed the sequence of buttons, and the tiny ship started to vibrate as the engine warmed.

“You take it easy out there, kid,” Carl said. “I’m here if you have any questions. We’ll be monitoring from the base.”

I wondered who the “we” meant, but Declan chimed in. “Carl, Ahiga, and a couple others who are working for my brother. There are a few people in the control room, and I hear they’re taking bets.”

Probably there to watch me blow myself up. Assholes.

“Don’t worry about the control room. Yes, they’ll be watching, but who the fuck cares what they think. I know that wounds your di Aetes pride, but let it go. Laugh it off. Stay focused, Ami.”

I grinned and hoped it looked confident even though it was one hundred percent fake. “Well, hopefully I don’t give all of you too much of a show today.” If Jason was listening in, I couldn’t let him see my fear. I wouldn’t give him that satisfaction. No matter how terrified I actually was. “And if there’s betting going on, I want in.”