Chapter 53

YOU DID IT.

Mad saw Taps Cobb lying before her, his midsection a mess of blood and torn clothing.

We did it, Taps, she thought. We all did. You're going to be fine.

Good, Taps smiled. Because I never got to tell you.

"Tell me what?" Mad whispered. Like always, the image of Taps faded away, forcing her back to reality.

Admiral Trisk stood before a wide screen at the far end of the Freedom's darkened briefing room. Mad sat at the room's long table, feeling out of place amongst the high-ranking Revolutionary officers watching the presentation alongside her. Captain Winstead sat across from Mad, watching the Admiral with her usual degree of focus. Perhaps it was the glare of the screen's light, but Mad thought the Captain's eyes looked watery and red.

I wonder if she spoke to Teth.