Chapter 2

She didn't know what she was going to do. This was impossible, but she couldn't let them all die.

She knew it couldn't be Harper. He was her little brother, he looked to her to protect him. She almost cried at the thought.

Dylan... she knew he would willingly die to protect them. But she couldn't kill him... she just couldn't. He believed in her, and he had come to mean more to her than she'd like to admit. "Yeah, I love him. So?" she muttered out loud. But now was no time to tell him her feelings... after she did what she knew she had to do, he'd kick her off of the Andromeda. She could never tell him why, or what she had done to Alamar. She shook her head. If only she hadn't.... but there was nothing to be done about it.

Rhade was her friend, but he was the only option left. But how could she bring herself to do it?

"Just remember, Valentine, you're protecting your friends. And killing one of them."

There was no way she would ever forgive herself, or that anyone else would. But it had to be done. She went to find Rhade.

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"Beka, I need to talk to you."

"Just the person I was looking for." she muttered.

"Can you come into my quarters? There's something I need to tell you."

"Of course." she almost started to cry.

They walked in to Rhade's room.

"Look, Beka, don't say anything until I'm done. I know that Nietzcheans aren't supposed to fall in love with humans... but you are extraordinary. I lo-"

"Rhade." she whispered, and hugged him. He never saw the knife, but he felt it as it plunged into his back.

"I'm sorry." Her tears fell to the floor with his body.