Hopefully, a last message

Seven hours until rescue ship arrival

"Bootes!" I puffed as I bounced over the planes. "Bootes, come in!"

"I'm here."

"Bootes, we are--"

"Cerviel told me. Where are you now?"

"Ten minutes from her. I'm moving as fast as I can."

"Good. How many have left the Kaif dome?"

"I didn't count. About a hundred if I had to guess."

"Dammit, then there's quite a few still in there." Bootes paused for several seconds. "Okay, I'll do an emergency broadcast. Everybody has one hour to get to the Patlix dome."

"Did Cerviel say what we're up against?"

"A class eight."

"I barely survived the Duke. I can't imagine holding something even stronger at bay for five hours."

"There's nothing else we can do." I could hear the strain in Bootes' voice. He knew what he was asking of me. "You're Asbestos' last remaining weapon."

"I take it there's no chance of reactivating the pulse cannons?"

"Nope."

"Can we detonate the Kaif and Muthafa domes to slow them down?"

"We don't have any explosives."

I sighed. "Then it really is just me."

"I'm afraid so."

"I'll... do my best."

"Think of it this way - one way or another, it will all be over soon."

"I was hoping it would end with us on the rescue ships, running away at light speed."

I stopped a few meters in front of Cerviel. Scratches and grooves covered her body. That they didn't appear to be threatening was my only solace. Her boosters worried me. They could manage enough thrust for us to zip across the battlefield, but breaking through the atmosphere would be a tall order. I suspect our evacuation would require outside assistance.

Survive with only a sword and a sniper. My eyes darted over the weapons. The stock of Nova sniper stuck past Cerviel's right shoulder, whereas her sword was clipped to her hip. Those, combined with her gauntlet blades, would be the only weapons at our disposal.

"Cerviel, I'm here. Pick me up."

"Yes, pilot Vega." The ground shook as she crouched. The lack of a gantry made it impossible for me to climb into Cerviel's ear on my own.

"Careful now." I wrapped both arms around her thumb as she raised me toward her ear. Her access corridor was already open when her hand stopped next to it. I swung myself in with little effort. "Thanks. Hold still until I step into the control ring."

"Yes, pilot Vega." Cerviel waited until my feet clipped into place before she returned her arm to its resting position. My helmet clattered against the cockpit floor when I took it off. Three green lights blinked into existence when I connected the first three cables.

A voice from my earpiece stopped me before I could connect the last one.

"Vega, are you there?" Father Alcor asked.

"Yes, Father. I'm here."

"Is it true?"

I took a second to answer. "Who told you?"

"Your mech."

Please don't tell me you told the entire complex. I squeezed my eyes shut before I answered. "Yes. They'll be here in two hours."

"How many?"

"I don't know. Cerviel said a few dozen."

"How strong?"

"The strongest yet."

"I see." His silence hung heavy. "I assume there is nothing that can help you."

"Nothing short of a miracle, sadly."

"I pray for one."

I smiled sadly. "Thank you. I'll take every bit of help I can get."

"Just... make sure you come back to us."

"I... I'll do my best."

"Good..." I heard Father Alcor blow out a breath. "Good. May the Heavens watch over you then, Vega."

"Can you please do me a favor?"

"Anything."

"I have a friend, Cheeseburger. He doesn't have any family on Asbestos. Please make sure he gets onto the rescue ships."

"I'll make sure he does."

"Thank you. And... and in case I don't... if I don't make it out alive..."

"Then I'll reunite with you and Nova in Heaven when my time comes."

"We'll wait for you at the Pearly Gates." I smiled as I wiped a tear from my cheek. "I have to go now. Take care of yourself, Father. And... thank you for everything."

"Come home safely, Vega. We'll be waiting."

"I'll do my best." I dropped the connection. There wasn't anything else to be said. Both of us knew the odds of survival were low.

"Pilot Vega? Are you okay?" Cerviel asked.

"No. No, I'm not. I probably said goodbye to my family just now. And I don't even know whether I'll be able to save them."

"There might still be a chance we make it out of this alive."

"Do you believe that?" I asked.

"I'm a machine. Hope is beyond my abilities."

"Then what do your statistics say?"

"That our odds of survival are marginal at best."

"Yet you still choose to fight?'

"The statistics indicate that there is a possibility of survival."

"That's called hope."

"I... see."

"I'm glad." I ran both hands down my face. Both hands came away wet. "Okay, let's do this." I reached out and plugged the final cable into my chest.