"But I want to fight too!" Sylvie begged, following Ajax around like a dog demanding a treat.

    "No, the last thing we need is you committing suicide," Ajax told her.

    "But-"

    "No buts!" he grabbed her arms and glared into her eyes. "You are staying here and watching. You may have an earpiece that connects to my com, but this battle is not yours."

    Sylvie's lip quivered and she followed him to his ship. As he was putting his gloves on, Sylvie held his helmet and traced her fingers around the symbol of the Forces.

    "Sylv, I need that," Ajax took the helmet from her hands.

    Sylvie could not hold it in anymore; she threw her arms around him and buried her face into his chest. "Please, be careful," she mumbled.

    Ajax returned the hug and rested his chin on her head, "You worry too much, Sylv."

   She smiled and relaxed, feeling safe in his arms. They stepped away from each other when Jinx walked up. Sylvie giggled and gave Jinx a quick hug. Sylvie wished both of them luck while they climbed into the fighters and stood back as they took off. After all the ships zoomed off, she hurried to the bridge of the cruiser, where the battle was being monitored from a giant holographic image.

    She heard the pilots commanding orders and flight patterns and she wondered how in the world Ajax knew how to fly a ship in the first place. Jara stood next to her, worry clearly seen on her face.

    "They'll be fine," Sylvie told her, placing a hand on her shoulder.

    "I cannot lose my son as well," Jara cried quietly.