Chapter 119: Can We Do It Right Now?

My head was awash with emotions, and Iona was in my arms as Diamond took us back to the city. I didn't know what to do; Maxine was gone. I would have to find her now in the next game, but that still didn't stop the feeling we both felt when she died. 

I was connected to each of them, and when one died, I felt it happen like it was me. Not the pain but the emotions; it was like payback for my failure to keep them safe. The world and storm blurred around Iona and me as we waited.

Suddenly we burst from the storm and reached the invisible shield. The girls were waiting there for us, suited up. 

//Dave, is everything alright? -Sasha. 

I almost broke down again, but I pulled it together. Diamond opened up and lowered, making a step with his hands. I walked out of the suit, and it started to shrink down as I stepped off the last hand, carrying Iona's limp body in my arms. 

The girls rushed out of their suits and came running over to me with worried looks on their faces. I tried to keep it together, but the weight of it all started to make me crack, but then Iona stirred in my arms. She slowly opened her eyes and looked at me with relief in her eyes, but then they filled with tears that poured down her face, making me start.

"Kyrin killed her Dave, I'm sorry, there was nothing I could..." But I pulled her head to my chest and let her cry. 

The rest of the girls were stunned into silence. Tears began to flow from each of the girls, and they crowded around us. 

Was this really necessary? Weren't we risking enough without people like Irellia around? Who was still out there, getting some Unlife make-over; I should have been faster and stopped the problem from getting away. 

Now, she would come-back for vengeance, again. I wasn't going to let it happen here. Kyrina and I would be the only ones in this race.

"Everyone, You will be talking Iona and everyone but Kyrina back to the ship. Absolutely no arguing; If I could, I would send Kyrina with you all and go alone, but I need a partner. I know there are dangers in each life, but we don't need to take them this time. Go back and figure out what we do next and how we can help Xeno."

Everyone stood silent but slowly started to nod. I wouldn't lose anyone to this race, Diamond and I would make sure of it for Kyrina, but I couldn't protect the rest. I needed them off this planet and back safely on the ship.

I put Iona down in her white skin tight MAS armor, and we all got back into our suits. I willed Alta to send me the spaceport location, and once I had it on the map, I signaled the girls to start moving in that direction. I didn't need arguments right now; I just need everyone to listen and get off this planet. Then I would do the race and win it, and then I would fix Xeno, then I would find Irellia and end her. 

Maybe I was letting my emotion get the best of me, but it was hard to care right now. The girls followed me as we came up to the spaceport. The place was still busy, bringing more people down, but not everyone was a racer. Most were tourists who come to buy and watch or merchants to sell and watch the race.

We all walked in our MAS units through the parting crowd, except for Kyrina and her red and black dress, with the pink lack. I had trouble concentrating on anything as we walked along into the spaceport. I couldn't let this get to me; there was more than just my life in the balance here. 

We entered the station, and I asked Sasha to arrange the exit flight. I stood still, but Iona and Tilly came up to me, taking my suited arms. I looked down and raised my glass to see them. 

I was stunned to see them smiling at me. What was going on? Before I could say anything, Iona spoke.

"Dave, Maxine is okay now; we will see her in the next round, I know it hurts, but she wouldn't want this, and you know that. So, cheer up and keep Kyrina safe; we all understand what your doing," Iona explained to me.

"Don't let it get to you, we all understand the risk of this, and we will find Maxine again next game. This game is far from over, and more of us might lose our lives along the way, don't give up!" Tilly told me.

I was thankful to have girls like this in my life; I would have probably let this eat me up inside. Thanks to them, I could focus on the race tomorrow and plan my revenge another day. I looked over to Mikota and Tama and waved them over to us, and they ran over.

"You're going to win, right? So we can get even with that bitch, okay? Don't mess it up if you're sending us home; I won't be there to carry you if you fall!" Mikota said, coming over to kiss me, pressing herself into me, but then pulling away quickly and letting Tama in.

"Don't die, okay?" Tama whispered in my ear as she hugged me tightly and then kissed me with tears in her eyes, turning away.

Sasha was coming back over with five cards, so I broke away from the group to meet her. There was something I needed to do before they left. I took Sasha's hand and led her off to the side, near a metal wall with fewer people around.

"Can we do it right now?"

"What do you mean?" 

Sasha seemed confused, so I explained.

"This morning, Maxine and I shared something, and I need to do that with you before you go. So, can we do it right now?"