Read Naero's War: The Citation Series 3: Naero's Trial for Free Online

still won’t be enough, Naero. She isn’t you. You are leaving him a ghost to love–a pale imitation.
    Better a ghost than nothing. They will have our children, Om. That will have to be enough. She is as much of me as I can make. I can’t do any more.
    Naero, I know very well that this is tearing you apart inside. You don’t have to be strong all the time. Why are you staying so calm about all of this?
    Because I must, Om. I have less that an hour to live. Now let me do this. Do what I have to do. Stay with her and help her. Guide and protect my daughter.
    N. I’m…going to miss you something fierce.
    I feel the exact same way, Om. Goodbye, my friend. You who have been more than abani to me. You have been a part of me.
    I love you, Naero. Like a part of myself.
    We are a part of each other, Om. And part of me–the real me–shall always live on as a part of you. To my mind, we will always be that way.
    Goodbye, N.
    Love you, Om.
    Do not worry. There is no power in this universe that will harm your children, if I can protect them.
    Thanks, Om. You’re going to find, or create, or have your own physical form one day when you are good and ready for it. Keep working on dealing with your feelings and emotions.
    It is rather difficult right now, N.
    Oh, Om. I know. It is for me as well.
    I shall do my best. Love you.
    With that, Om was gone from within her.
    Naero was suddenly stricken at how hollow she felt inside without her protector and confidant still there with her. Her amazing companion. And even moreso now that her spectacular new child was gone as well. All that remained to keep her company was Zhen’s sleeping soul and her own slumbering Dark Beast.
    If she could not bring Zhen back, at least they could accompany each other on to the next journey.
    With her replicant finished and all of the transfers complete, Naero turned to an astonished Master Jo.
    The way that he looked at her, she could tell that he misunderstood her intent once more.
    “Naero. I can’t let them execute your replicant in your place, in order that you can survive. It won’t work. Master Tree will suspect something like this. You can’t save yourself this way.”
    Naero shook her head and held her temper, even though she adored Master Jo. He was the only High Master that she truly felt was ever on her side or tried to fully understand her.
    “High Master Jo, that wasn’t my intent. I’m not trying to save myself. I am trying to save my child.”
    Master Jo started a bit and raised his brows. “Your child!” His eyes widened.
    “Yes, my child and the KDM. They are all in my replicant, Naero-3, along with a secret that I will reveal only to you. Part of the KDM is a defensive protocol named Om, whom I befriended and became one with. A few of my friends, like Tyber and Tarim, know about him as well. You can speak to him through my replicant. He will continue to help our people unlock the secrets of the KDM.”
    “Naero, that is all so amazing.”
    Naero looked down. Naero-3 rested peacefully, on her back, face up on the ground with her large eyes closed.
    “It does not stop there,” Naero told him. She motioned for Master Jo to place his hand on Naero-3’s abdomen and use biomancy to briefly examine the child.
    Master Jo gasped. “Haisha! My word!”
    “My child will be a very special child,” Naero said.
    Jo could only nod at first. Then he started again. “Haisha! She’s already like a tiny star, Naero. Haisha again. Her father was–”
    “Khai, champion of the Oden, and now the Mystic Enforcer.”
    “Naero, we much say something to the court. This situation just isn’t fair, to either of you. Khai cannot be expected to perform his duty in this manner. Haisha! As the Mystic Enforcer, he will be the one who must–”
    Naero nodded. “Yes. He must be the one to take my life. We’ve already talked about all of that. I’ve already told him that it’s all right. I wouldn’t want it to be a stranger. I want it to be him.