Cross of the Legion Read Online Free PDF Page A

Priestess. I'd like to be happy. It's all I want—a happy life. I want everyone to be happy."
    "You're not trying very hard."
    "I got a pers note from Dragon. He was wounded. Tara's missing."
    Dark clouds raced overhead, spitting a fine rain. A great roar arose from the port. A shuttle lifted, rising into the sky at a steep angle, leaving a hot phospho wake. We could feel the power from there.
    "Is Dragon all right?"
    "He says he's fine."
    "Why didn't you tell me?"
    "I didn't want you to worry."
    "What happened to Tara?"
    "The O's got her. Augusta 6."
    Lightning flashed, seemingly right over the port. Thunder cracked. A light rain fell on us. It was already pouring over the starport.
    "Thinker…" Priestess turned to me and brought her hands up to my shoulders. "Please…forget about all that. There's nothing we can do." She looked into my eyes. "We're here. They're there. Let it be. We've done it. It's over. We've given the Legion everything we have, and we've lost…too much. We've lost almost everything. It's time for us now. Where is our baby? You promised me we'd have a baby!" Throwing herself at me—I could never resist her.
    "Yes—we will. Of course we will, Priestess. But we agreed we deserve a little time by ourselves, first." I cupped her head in my hands, falling right into those magical eyes.
    "We haven't exactly been alone, Thinker. And don't give me silly excuses like that. You want to go back, don't you? You want to go back to the front. Are you insane? You must be insane!"
    I closed my eyes, clutching her, almost in despair. It was raining harder; we were getting wet. "We're all insane, Priestess. They're dying, for us. Is it right for us to stay here, hiding from reality? Is it?"
    "Is it right for you to choose death, over life?" she countered.
    "I don't know," I said wearily. "I know…it's insane. I shouldn't even think it."
    "Beta Three, look at me." I looked into her eyes—trapped, again. A sweet typhoon of love rushed over me. She suddenly seemed very calm. "I made my choice long ago," she said. "I'll live or die by your side. You just tell me what you want to do and I'll be there, whatever it is. Insane or not, I'll stand by you till the end." It was so unexpected it took my breath away. A bolt of lightning shattered the sky. I kissed her, losing myself in her sweet mouth. It was pouring. We were getting soaked.
    "Priestess…you're wonderful. I'm going to love you forever. I promise."
    "Good. Can you do one thing for me?"
    "Anything!"
    "Let's get out of the rain."
    ***
    On a lovely sunlit morning, we were having a picnic feast in the shade of several huge overhanging trees lining the South Pool. The South Pool used to be Stonehall's reservoir, in the distant past. It was a huge expanse of water, girt by massive stone blocs and lined by the jungle. Now it had been cleaned up and rebuilt as a public recreation area.
    "Have some wine," Priestess urged me. Her hair was all wet. She had been swimming, in a sleeveless top and minis.
    "No thanks."
    "Come on, trooper—relax! Live a little." She poured some Andrion Blood into my cup. It was raw stuff, but good.
    "Enjoy life, my love," Moontouch said. "Taste Andrion's life blood. It is your own." Moontouch always spoke in riddles, but it never bothered me. Stormdawn shouted, down by the pool, splashing around with friends. A sunny, perfect morning, but my heart was like ice. I sipped at the wine—warm, burning its way down my throat.
    It is your own. Yes, Andrion was mine. It was where I belonged. I had finally found a home, with Moontouch and Priestess and Stormdawn. A home in a hostile galaxy. A family to love, a family to love me, and the hell with the rest of the universe. I loved Moontouch and Priestess and Stormdawn—what else was there to worry about? What did I care about the Legion? I'd put in my time in Hell, and the bastards had sentenced me to two years for my trouble. I didn't owe them anything! Was I crazy? I should feel guilty, because I