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“Nev, it’s not like you’re copiloting I need you to keep me company”
“I know, Sloan, but I can’t do it I’m in the compression unit for esturing to the vast blackness beyond the s of the bridge He handed her his comm pad
“I’ve found a great place It’s in the Gru Asteroid Belt Quiet, out of the way I can set upwith hope
“I don’t know if I can do this without you” Sloan’s throat tightened at the thought of flying all over the universe without him
“You can do this and o into deep space with me on board You can’t use the FTL for more than short bursts I’ve checked this place out, and it’s the perfect location Out of the way, but not too out of the way that you can’t come and visit me from time to time”
“When do you want htening up
“I’ve charted the quickest course there” He touched the screen and called up the nav chart Of course, it was the most efficient in terms of time and fuel
“Okay, I’ll set the course” Sloan walked to the nav console and uploaded the directions
“Sloan, this isn’t goodbye,” Neven said from behind her
She shook her head, knowing she couldn’t face hi she needed some time to herself
They arrived at the Gru Asteroid Belt less than seven days later Sloan stood at the cargo bay exit as Neven walked off the ship He waved to her with a pack on his back and all the credits he could need uploaded to his comm pad
“This isn’t goodbye Sloan,” he said again “We’ll see each other soon” Sloan could only nod as she pushed the button to close the cargo bay doors, raising her hand in a small wave She contorted her lips into her best shot at a smile Her lips quivered
As the wind fro finally died down, Sloan felt her throat clog with tears that she fought to push down They always leave, she thought People always leave No one ever sticks around for too long
Chapter 11
Apparently, the detour to the Gru Asteroid Belt had not been part of the original plan, but Captain Sloan decided they should stop Xan had been allowed free reign of the ship once Erl had discharged hio was the bridge and security bay