Randolph Lalonde: Awakening

He took her hand and gave her a solemn look. It was time to tell her exactly what she didn't want to hear. “The Sunspire has been reassigned. We're joining the fight in the Blue Belt.”

She just stared at him, any levity in her expression dissipated as he looked on. “Is someone else going?”

“He's the most wanted man in five sectors now. Regent Galactic has made it clear to us that if Freeground helps him we'll be inviting an embargo.”

“That's why they sent my mother off. I knew it,” Ayan said quietly. She looked down and sighed, looking so weary.

He took her into his arms gently. It was all he could do. “You know I'd scrap my orders and go after him. They'd have my command in a second.”

“Politics. That's all it is, they're leaving him out there alone after doing the right thing for politics,” she said quietly through tears as she laid her head on his shoulder.

“It's Jonas, look at what he's survived so far. He'll find his way,” Oz reassured. Feeling her cry in his arms was enough to break his heart, he knew she didn't have much time left, and more than anything he wanted to deliver Jonas Valent, the love of her life back to her. “He'll find his way,” he repeated quietly, though it was more a prayer that time.