The recording pauses, and we all look toward the woman with the projector. Even Saedii looks like someone whose favorite series just ended on a cliff-hanger.
“It is my hope,” says the woman, whose eyes appear a little bright, “that this message will be delivered by one of Callie’s descendants.”
“Are …” Auri chokes out the word, but she can’t get past it.
“Your great-great-great-great-great-niece,” she says softly. “My name’s Jie-Lin. It’s a family tradition.”
A noise comes out of Aurora, half sob, half laugh, and every Betraskan instinct in me knows it’s the sound of someone finding a part of their family, and she’s out of her chair like she’s teleported, and into Jie-Lin’s arms, and the two of them silently embrace as the recording begins again. I’m startled back to attention when I hear my own name.
“Finian suggested as he departed,” says Zila, “that I should place wagers on the outcomes of ‘sportsball’ events, with Magellan’s assistance. I remain unconvinced this is entirely ethical, but Nari has suggested to me that we have given much, and it is acceptable to take a little in return. Details of a bank account have been provided with these files. I have two requests, and beyond that, the money is yours to use as you see fit—it will be a considerable sum.
“My first request is that you establish a scholarship in Cat’s name. I believe in the Aurora Legion, and I would like it to be easier for others to join.
“My second request is that you find an opportunity to spend some time together—I would suggest you put Scarlett in charge of planning, as Nari and I are both confident she will pick an excellent destination for a furlough. And please think of us for a moment when you make that trip.”
Everyone’s crying now, except for Saedii, of course, who definitely has no tear ducts. She’s just nodding slowly, which I guess is her version.
“I have found my family here,” Zila says, “though I will always miss the family I left behind. I hope each of you finds such happiness, over the course of your lives.” She looks around, as if she could actually see us. And she smiles. “I wish you well, my friends.”
And just like that, the recording is over, and Zila’s gone.
But never forgotten.
“Holy cake,” Aurora sniffs, disentangling herself from Jie-Lin’s hug.
“This,” says Scarlett, “is going to be the most epic vacation in history.”
“We just got back from vacation,” I groan.
“And there’s no way I can take time off,” Tyler says.
Scarlett puts her hands on her hips. “Are you being serious right now?”
“I mean it,” Ty says, shaking his head. “There’s a whole bunch of diplomatic meetings scheduled after the unveiling, we’ve got new intakes coming in after that, and de Stoy’s rearranging the whole command structure.”
“Right,” I nod. “And we’re still short in mechaneering, I’ve gotta hel—”
“Oh Maker’s breath …” Scar heaves a dramatic sigh, looking between me and Ty. “Could you two be bigger killjoys, please.”
I shrug, helpless. “I’ve got work to do, Scar.”
“Look,” she says, leaning closer. “A vacation I organize means a pool. And a pool means me packing nothing but a swimsuit. Do the math, de Seel.”
I pause, glance to Tyler. “Yeah, okay, I’m convinced.”
“Right,” Scar scowls. “What about you, Bee-bro?”
“You know I hate it when you call me that, right?”
“You know I hate your face, right?”
“Ouch.”
Tyler glances at Saedii thoughtfully.
“Do you even own a swimsuit?”
She glowers around the room. “I am certain I could fashion one out of someone’s skin without too much difficulty.”
“Leather bikini … ,” I murmur, staring into the distance.
“… Yeah, okay,” Tyler declares. “I’m convinced.”
“Are they always like this?” Jie-Lin asks quietly.
“In time, one becomes accustomed to it,” Kal replies gravely.
Aurora just hugs her one more time, and smiles.
“Welcome to the family.”
SQUAD MEMBERS
‣ BLOOD DEBTS OWED
▾ ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
AS WE COME TO THE END OF OUR SECOND SERIES TOGETHER WITH A BOOK THAT WAS WRITTEN THROUGH NATIONAL LOCKDOWNS AND AN INTERNATIONAL PANDEMIC, AT TIMES REQUIRING INGENUITY THAT WOULD HAVE MADE SQUAD 312 PROUD, WE’RE MORE AWARE THAN EVER THAT EVERY BOOK IS CREATED BY A VILLAGE. IT’S BEEN A PRIVILEGE TO WORK WITH OURS TO BRING THIS STORY TO LIFE.
WE WOULD BE NOWHERE WITHOUT OUR PUBLISHING TEAM—THEY GUIDE US TO THE BEST VERSION OF EVERY BOOK, THEY CATCH OUR MISTAKES, THEY GET OUR STORIES OUT INTO THE WORLD AND THEN MAKE SURE YOU HEAR ABOUT THEM. WE’RE SO LUCKY TO HAVE THEM. IN THE US, ALL HAIL BARBARA, MELANIE, ARELY, ARTIE, AMY, NANCEE, DAWN, KATHLEEN, JAKE, DENISE, JUDITH, EMILY, JOSH, MARY, DOMINIQUE, JOHN, KELLY, JULES, SHARON, MEGAN, JENN, KATE, ELIZABETH, ADRIENNE, KRISTIN, EMILY, NATALIE, HEATHER, JEN, RAY, ALISON, NATALIA, AND DAKOTA. HERE IN AUSTRALIA, OUR HEARTFELT THANKS TO ANNA, NICOLA, YVETTE, SIMON, SHERALYN, EVA, MATT, LOU, MEGAN, ALISON, AND KYLIE. IN THE UK, OUR TIRELESS TEAM IS KATIE, MOLLY, LUCY, KATE, HAYLEY, JULIAN, MARK, PAUL, LAURA, AND JULIET. THANK YOU TO OUR FANTASTIC INTERNATIONAL PUBLISHING TEAMS, AND THE TRANSLATORS WHO JOINED US IN BRINGING YOU THE STORY OF SQUAD 312.
WHEREVER THEIR WORK FINDS ITSELF IN THE WORLD, A SPECIAL THANKS TO CHARLIE AND DEB FOR OUR FABULOUS COVER ARTWORK AND DESIGN.
THE AUDIO EDITIONS OF THESE BOOKS ARE BRILLIANT, AND WE CAN’T WRAP THE SERIES WITHOUT THANKING NICK AND OUR WHOLE AUDIO TEAM, FROM THE PRODUCTION CREW TO OUR INCREDIBLE NARRATORS.
TIME AND TIME AGAIN, WE’RE GRATEFUL TO OUR AGENTS, JOSH AND TRACEY ADAMS. FOR YOUR GUIDANCE, YOUR PATIENCE, AND YOUR ADVOCACY, A HUGE THANK-YOU. THANKS AS WELL TO ANNA, TO STEPHEN, AND TO OUR AMAZING NETWORK OF FOREIGN AGENTS, WHO HELPED SQUAD 312 FIND HOMES ALL OVER THE WORLD.
WE’RE GUIDED AS WELL BY SO MANY EXPERTS AND CONSULTANTS WHEN WE WRITE OUR BOOKS. TO DR. KATE IRVING, GARY BRAUDE, MEGAN AND HOONSEOP JEONG, MIKYUNG KIM, OH YOUNG LEE, AND MANY OTHERS NOT NAMED HERE, OUR THANKS. YOU HELPED MAKE THIS BOOK BETTER IN COUNTLESS WAYS, THOUGH, OF COURSE, ANY MISTAKES THAT REMAIN ARE OUR OWN.
TO ALL BOOKSELLERS, LIBRARIANS, READERS, VLOGGERS, BLOGGERS, TWEETERS, AND BOOKSTAGRAMMERS WHO HAVE HELPED SPREAD THE WORD ABOUT THE SQUAD—THANK YOU. WE COULDN’T DO THIS WITHOUT YOU, AND WE WOULDN’T WANT TO.
TO OUR OWN PERSONAL SQUADDIES—SAM AND JACK, MARC, B-MONEY, RAFE, WEEZ, PARIS, BATMAN, SURLY JIM, GLEN, SPIV, TOM, CAT, ORRSOME, TOVES, SAM, TONY, KATH, KYLIE, NICOLE, KURT, JACK, MAX, POPPY, MEG, MICHELLE, MARIE, LEIGH, ALEX, SOOZ, KACEY, SORAYA, NIC, KIERSTEN, RYAN, BOTH CATS, FLIC, GEORGE, CORMAC, MARILYN, KAY, NEVILLE, SHANNON, ADAM, BODE, AND LUCA. THE HOUSE OF PROGRESS: ELLIE, NIC, LILI, ELIZA, DAVE, LIZ, KATE, SKYE, AND PETE. THE ROTI BOTI GANG: KATE, AIMEE, EMILY, KYLIE, NED, MAZ, SASHI, AND EMMA, WHO IS MISSED EVERY SINGLE DAY. TO ALL OUR CREW: WE’D BE LOST IN THIS GALAXY WITHOUT YOU.
TO THOSE WHO JOINED US ON THE JOURNEY, THOUGH THEY DIDN’T KNOW THAT THEIR WORK INSPIRED OURS—FRANK TURNER, JOSHUA RADIN, MATT BELLAMY, CHRIS WOLSTENHOLME, DOMINIC HOWARD, BUDDY, BEN OTTEWELL, THE KILLERS, MARK MORTON, RANDY BLYTHE, TOM SEARLE, DAN SEARLE, SAM CARTER, MARCUS BRIDGE, JON DEILEY, WINSTON MCCALL, OLI SYKES, MAYNARD JAMES KEENAN, RONNIE RADKE, COREY TAYLOR, CHRIS CORNELL, IAN KENNY, TRENT REZNOR. A SALUTE AS WELL TO ANNE MCCAFFREY, SCIENCE-FICTION PIONEER, WHOSE TELEPATHIC DRAGONS GOT INTO THE DNA OF THIS BOOK IN MORE WAYS THAN ONE.