26
The Wanderer entered jump space one more time, but this time it stayed there. Jess wanted to send it following after the rest of the fleet, but first he kept it circling so he could tell if, and when, the Limited fleet followed.
Jess’s heart was heavy despite the prospect of snatching victory, or at least survival, from near certain defeat. The Wanderer had survived once more when many allied ships had been destroyed. That was starting to wear him down, especially when those giving their lives thought Jess was the hero.
Ali unstrapped herself and moved forward so she could reach over the pilot’s chair and give him a hug. He welcomed it, and the warmth of her love over their link, but it wasn’t enough to remove the chill from his heart. He’d seen too many ships, far too many peop
