"I know, I registered them already."
"They're catching up."
"We'll be at the event horizon before they catch us."
"Are you sure? That hole's destabilizing. It's set to collapse really soon."
"You never told me that."
"I didn't want to worry you."
"We'll see, hm?"
"I guess so."
"Sir, squadron A reporting from the vicinity of black hole 546-B." Kira flipped the toggle on the console, knowing it would start the double-bounce comlink up instantaneously."
"Captain Field. So nice to hear from you." Her promotion still rankled in her mind, and being sent on this mission did as well. She wanted more than anything to say one last goodbye to Amy, but she knew that that was probably impossible.
"Sir, we're about one day's travel from the black hole. I must remind you, sir, that Major Durham has no fear of the black hole; she's been through one before."
"Just stop her, captain. Over and out."
"Roger." Kira whispered. She pushed her single-occupant spacecraft to it's limits. "Let's see if I can set up a comlink with a foriegn craft."
"Seifer...there's a hailing frequency that has been opened in our vicinity."
Seifer looked up. "What?"
"It's coming from one of the scouts."
Seifer looked at Amy. Really looked. "You want to talk to them, don't you?"
"It's my last chance, though, to see someone from my world." She looked away. "If you don't want me to, I won't."
"Go ahead."
Amy's face filled the screen, and Kira breathed a sigh of relief. "Amy!"
"Kira!" Amy looked very happy to see her; closer to tears than she'd ever seen the other woman. "I'm so glad I could see you one more time."
"My sentiments exactly. I'm in charge of this squadron. They promoted me." She gulped. "Colonel Henderson will probably find out what I did and I'll go to jail, but it's worth it to see you again."
Amy bit her lip. "Kira..."
"It's worth it, Amy. I'll miss you."
Colonel Henderson's head shot up. "What?"
"Sir, the foreign craft has latched onto the Dragonfly with a tractor beam and seems to be dragging it along with them."
"Stop them!"
"I...sir, I think they just passed the event horizon." The lieutenant faltered. "They're gone, sir."
"Damn her!" Henderson slammed his hand against the arm of the chair. "Damn them all!" He knew he could kiss the promotion to General goodbye.
"Oh my God." Kira said, feeling the unmistakable clink of a tractor beam locking onto her craft. "Oh, my God, Amy, what are you doing?"
"Kira, if you get arrested for helping me, what kind of life will you have?" Amy's voice came in over the com. "This hole is about to collapse. We have to go, now. There's no time for debate."
"Amy, no!" She clutched at her armrests. "Oh, God."
A jerk, a tug, and it was all black.
"Sir...the black hole is gone."
"Excuse me?"
"Sir, the black hole has completely collapsed. The foreign craft and our scout have disappeared."
"Damn it!"