“Galyan,” Maddox said, interrupting.
“Yes, Captain?”
“I just wanted to check in to make sure you’re doing all right.”
“Thank you, Captain. That was thoughtful of you. Is Meta in the air-car with you?”
“Do you really need to ask?”
“No,” Galyan said. “I have been monitoring you since you left the hospital. If the air-car should falter, I have devised a method to use my tractor beam to—”
“Galyan,” Maddox said, interrupting once more.
“Yes, sir,” the AI said.
“Thanks for all you’ve done. I, personally, appreciate it.”
“Thank you, sir. And Captain?”
“Yes?” Maddox asked.
“Nothing,” Galyan said a moment later, as if reconsidering. “Enjoy your time with Meta.”
Maddox glanced at Meta. She shrugged. “I plan to,” he said.
“This I know,” the AI said.
“Okay,” Maddox said. “I’ll see you soon.” Then, he turned off the comm.
Meta smiled, stroking one of the captain’s arms. “Thanks for showing me that Galyan is doing fine. He’s enjoying himself.”
Maddox grinned at her.
She leaned near and they kissed. Afterward, Meta peered out of the bubble canopy. “So, where are we going?”
“Hang on,” Maddox said, increasing speed. “I’ll show you.”
***
Later that evening on a beach in Normandy, a fire blazed. Six people sat around it in beach chairs.
Dana Rich sipped a glass of wine. No doubt, she thought about Professor Ludendorff. Whenever someone spoke her name, Dana smiled. From time to time, she stared at the flames, lost in thought.
Keith Maker ate a polish dog. The ace had been grinning all night. He laughed a lot, and his hair was tousled. None of the others seemed to get tired as he retold various flying exploits.
Treggason Riker flexed his new bionic hand. He said little, one side of his face puffed out from holding so many sunflower seeds. There were a mass of shells at his feet. He seemed content, occasionally guzzling from a beer bottle and spitting seeds.
Valerie Noonan added wood to the fire, keeping it a hot blaze. Often, when a log popped, throwing up a shower of sparks, she laughed with delight. Her father had taken her on a camping trip once. The same good feeling filled her tonight. She was with her family, and she was happy to be alive.
Meta held the captain’s hand. She kept thinking about Kane. The Rouen Colony man had saved them because he’d loved her. Life had been hard for Kane. The New Men had misused him. In the end, Kane had helped the old-style humans over the so-called dominants. Meta was determined to beat the enemy. Such a noble sacrifice shouldn’t go to waste.
Captain Maddox glanced at his crewmembers. They were his responsibility. He had to make sure to use their talents to the best of his ability and then he had to make sure to bring them back alive. Meta’s near death and watching Ludendorff’s android die had brought that home more than ever.
The war had been ugly, and it would likely get worse. Tonight, though, they celebrated another victory. Who knew how many more surprises were in store for them. Who knew whether they were going to pierce the many secrets swirling around them? The origin of the doomsday machine, the reasons for Strand and Ludendorff’s differences—
Maddox released Meta’s hand. He stood, and he held his arms wide as if encompassing his crew. “You people are the best in the universe,” he said. “And let’s be honest, we have the greatest starship there is. I’m proud of each one of you. We saved the Earth and…”
The captain lowered his arms. He gazed into each face, finally nodding. “I don’t have the words to say anything other than this: thank you.”
“If I had a drink, I’d toast you, Captain,” Keith shouted. “Instead, I salute you, sir.” The ace stood up and saluted crisply.
The others cheered, clapping their hands.
Maddox grinned, nodding in appreciation. Afterward, he sat down, as did Keith.
The party continued as the fire blazed on the Normandy shore.
***
High in stationary Earth orbit, Galyan kept his best sensors trained on the crew. He watched them, with several weapons systems ready in case anyone should try to harm his friends. Without them—
Galyan shied away from the thought, content to know that his people were safe and happy for this moment in time.
The End
To the Reader: Thanks! I hope you’ve enjoyed The Lost Destroyer. If you liked the book and would like to see the series continue, please put up some stars and a review. Let new readers know what’s in store for them.
—Vaughn Heppner