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"What's the mission?"

"No ton by the admiral, posthaste

They're flying off to the mainland to catch a military transport"

Maeve overheard and grabbed De?"

He was surprised by the sudden strength of her grip "They should be lifting off about now

Deirdre cah about you to say goodbye"

Maeve felt as if a giant hand had suddenly reached inside her and squeezed her heart Anguish filled her body She rushed out the door onto the deck Pitt had only lifted the helicopter a scant threeinto view She could clearly see both e s Giordino looked down, saw her and waved Pitt had both hands busy and could only respond with a warrin and a nod

He expected to see her smile and wave in return, but her face seemed drawn in fear She cupped her hands and cried out to hi rotor blades drowned out her words He could only shake his head and shrug in reply

Maeve shouted again, this tihts into his mind

Too late The helicopter shot into the air vertically and dipped over the side of the ship She sagged to her knees on the deck, head in her hands, sobbing, as the turquoise aircraft flew over the endlessswells of the sea

Giordino looked back through his sideand saw Maeve slu toward her "I wonder what the fuss was all about," he said curiously

"What fuss?" asked Pitt

"Maeveshe acted like a Greek mourner at a funeral"

Concentrating on controlling the helicopter, Pitt had rief

"Maybe she hates goodbyes," he said, feeling a wave of remorse