The wheels of time on Hermes's chest slowed to their last rotation, then stopped entirely just as they reached the Earth's atmosphere.
He exhaled sharply. "We're barely made it."
Raphael gave a small nod, and together they descended back to land. The Soyuz station came into view, the very ship they had pushed across the stars. Cameras flashed even before their feet touched down. NASA personnel swarmed, soldiers rushed forward, and reporters shouted question after question.
Hermes forced himself to smile, though his thoughts weighed heavily. The American special forces guided the rescued children, soldiers, and astronauts away from the craft. Cheers erupted, but Hermes's chest tightened.
He knew the Russians had not committed some grand universal crime. If the truth ever came out that families had agreed to send their children on that mission… there would be chaos.
