Free Epic: Book 03 - Hero by Lee Stephen Page A

expect?”
    “ Then why didn’t Galina or Varvara call me Molly? Why didn’t the captain? I filled my forms out with Esther, I introduced myself as Esther. I specifically marked Esther as my preferred name . That is what I wanted to be called—it was perfectly clear.”
    “ Well, you an’ Svetlana were never introduced, so congratulations! Now yeh are.”
    “ I could punch you in the face.”

    Scott was examining the mission map when Viktor Ryvkin broke away from the Nightmen. He walked straight to the captain, prompting Scott and the other Nightmen to observe curiously.
    “ Captain, may I make a request?”
    Clarke looked surprisingly at the slayer. “You may, Ryvkin.”
    “ I would like to accompany your team to the warehouse.”
    The moment Viktor said it, the other Nightmen froze. Dostoevsky rose, and Scott abandoned his map scrutiny.
    Viktor continued. “You may need more firepower than you expect, captain. We have enough firepower among the Nightmen. As you know, I am as much a medic as I am a soldier. I would gladly assist you.”
    Dostoevsky approached them. “Viktor, what are you doing?”
    Clarke looked at Dostoevsky, then settled on Viktor. “If you come with us, your fellow Nightmen won’t have a medic.”
    “ They could take Voronova.”
    At the mention of Svetlana’s name, the EDEN operatives in the vicinity whipped around. Esther was particularly entranced. Scott was plain floored. But no one looked more surprised than Svetlana herself.
    “ So you wish to trade yourself with Trooper Voronova?” Clarke asked. “You’ll excuse me if I’m somewhat confused.”
    “ This unit has gone through enough turmoil,” Viktor said. “It is time for us to start working together. Then we all will be strong. You do not need to worry about Voronova’s safety. She will be more safe with them than anywhere else.”
    Svetlana drew near. “What is going on here? What are you talking about?”
    Clarke continued to look at Viktor as he answered her question. “Mr. Ryvkin wishes to take your place on our team and put you with the commander in his stead.” Before Svetlana could speak, Clarke turned to Dostoevsky. “Do you oppose this?”
    “ Wait, wait,” Scott said. “Hold on one second.”
    “ Commander Dostoevsky?” Clarke asked again.
    Caught between everyone, Dostoevsky had no counter-argument. “I…do not suppose I would oppose it…”
    “ Very well,” Clarke said. “Ryvkin will accompany us, Svetlana will accompany you.”
    “ Captain!” Scott protested. But Clarke just walked away.
    Scott was apoplectic. The Nightmen behind him were almost equally upset.
    Svetlana frantically reached for Scott’s arm. “I have nothing to do with this, Scott, I promise! I do not understand this.”
    It was the first time they had made physical contact since her arrival, and Scott felt his heart churning. He was confused, angry. Helpless to avoid the situation. Each emotion was warring against the others and in their own way, each of them won.
    “ Please believe me, Scott, please . I would never try to do this!”
    Scott had to look away. He knew what she was saying was true. But that didn’t make it easier to understand. “I know.”
    She didn’t look relieved.
    Helmet in his hands, he pushed his hair back. This was as much a shock to her as it was to the Nightmen. Viktor, what in the world are you thinking? Steeling his jaw in surrender, Scott touched her arm. “Okay. You’re going to be fine.”

    While Scott waited by the bay door to be dropped off, he looked at the operatives around him—the four Nightmen and the woman from EDEN. Svetlana clung to him like glue. He couldn’t blame her. For the first time since her arrival, he pitied her. She had gone there for him. The consequences of that were too large to escape, and he wondered if she realized it now.
    Beside them, Nicolai kissed his blood-encrusted dog tag—the one belonging to the man he’d presumably murdered. Scott would have been