Hard-jawed, tight-lipped, he held her close. But he did not dare let feeling touch him. Not now, with time so short; so much at stake.
If the asteroids could hold their freedom, even in the Federation; if Ceresta and the raider fleet were only spared....
"And you—?" he clipped. "Where were you going? Why did you try to run away?"
Ylana lifted a tear-smudged face. All at once her chin was firm, and her lips no longer trembled.
She said: "Once I would have betrayed him for you alone, Jarl Corvett. This time, I came to do it for the Federation—and for freedom."
"You mean—?"
Her laugh held bitterness and pain. "The fleet commanders do not know my father's orders. I thought to reach Bor Legat's ship and warn them."
"Then Legat—"
"He came here only to bring me to my father, in hopes that he could save Ceresta. He'd channel a message through his viziscreen."
Jarl's breath came faster. There was a pricking and tingling along his spine.