ask.
Vel checks readings, whether other craft show on the sensors. “That would draw more attention, I think. Most of their attention is well occupied to the south.”
“Is there anything left in the house that could help them find you?” March asks.
“We scrubbed it thoroughly, wiped all the data.”
“If it was my op, I’d blow the place. With luck, they associate it with the other strikes and consider Vel a victim, not a culprit.”
I glance at Vel. “What do you think?”
“A bold plan, not without risks. Do you feel up to a firefight, Sirantha?”
I nod, glancing back at March in inquiry. “Are you sure you want us doing that with Sasha on board?”
“I don’t want to be here at all,” he mutters.
“It’s not Jax’s fault. Don’t take it out on her for what I did.”
I blink, certain I can’t have heard the kid right. “What’d you do?”
“Uhm.” In the dim glow from the instrument panel, Sasha looks chagrined. “Well, maybe I crushed some engine parts so our ship couldn’t take off.”
“Mother Mary. Why?”
“Because he wants to join the resistance,” March snaps. “It looks glamorous when you’re twelve.”
“You wanted to stay, too, Dad. So I made it work out for both of us.”
Yeah, I’m not getting in the middle of this for a billion credits. I listen to them argue while Vel takes us up.
Eventually, March swallows his anger and answers the question I’ve almost forgotten I asked. “Weapons hot, Jax. I trust you.”
With his nephew’s life—that’s what he’s saying. No pressure. I bring the guns online and target the house. I hate living dirtside, but this is the first time I’ve blown up a building over it. That thought is almost enough to make me laugh, despite the sitch.
Once he reaches sufficient altitude for us not to be caught in the shock wave, Vel gives the go-ahead, and I tap the panel. Beams of light arc toward the structure; impact offers both demolition and fire. I shoot several more times to make sure the destruction’s catastrophic. Since it’s not raining, the house should smolder until there’s nothing left but wreckage.
“Sorry,” I murmur to Vel.
“I have indemnity.”
I cut him a look, but he’s amused, not irritated. Which is excellent. I can only deal with one angry male at a time. It’s a good rule of thumb.
“That was
epic
,” Sasha says, watching the destruction down below.
March quiets him, but I’m glad the kid’s not scared. If he was as timid as the turn before, I’d be swimming in guilt right now.
“Incoming.” Vel wheels the shuttle.
“How many?” I ask.
“Six, fifty klicks out.”
I ponder. “Are we fast enough to outrun them?”
“Aw,” Sasha objects. “Blow them out of the sky!”
A few more comments like that, and I’ll start liking this kid. I flash him a smile while Vel checks the intercept course. March’s tension radiates until I feel it like a hot spot on the nape of my neck.
How mad are you?
It’s a test to see if he’s still in my head.
Very. But not at you. I should’ve seen this coming.
He’s there, wrestling with frustration.
This is ten kinds of fragged up.
I know you’re scared for Sasha, but we’ll keep him safe until we figure out a way—
There’s not going to
be
a way, Jax. We’re stuck for the duration.
Well, yeah. March told us how to wreak havoc in those strategy sessions. According to his advice, we chose our targets and bombed them simultaneously. We just didn’t think he’d still be on world when the foolproof plan when into effect.
Oops.
“Projected intercept in four minutes,” Vel replies after he finishes analyzing the drone trajectory. “So no.”
“Then let’s hold here. I don’t want them any closer to the base.”
Moments pass in tense silence, then the six drones appear on my screen. I miss the gun-pit interface. I’m not as adept on the console, but I’ll get better. I have to. I put the pressure from my mind. I can’t think about how
Vel checks readings, whether other craft show on the sensors. “That would draw more attention, I think. Most of their attention is well occupied to the south.”
“Is there anything left in the house that could help them find you?” March asks.
“We scrubbed it thoroughly, wiped all the data.”
“If it was my op, I’d blow the place. With luck, they associate it with the other strikes and consider Vel a victim, not a culprit.”
I glance at Vel. “What do you think?”
“A bold plan, not without risks. Do you feel up to a firefight, Sirantha?”
I nod, glancing back at March in inquiry. “Are you sure you want us doing that with Sasha on board?”
“I don’t want to be here at all,” he mutters.
“It’s not Jax’s fault. Don’t take it out on her for what I did.”
I blink, certain I can’t have heard the kid right. “What’d you do?”
“Uhm.” In the dim glow from the instrument panel, Sasha looks chagrined. “Well, maybe I crushed some engine parts so our ship couldn’t take off.”
“Mother Mary. Why?”
“Because he wants to join the resistance,” March snaps. “It looks glamorous when you’re twelve.”
“You wanted to stay, too, Dad. So I made it work out for both of us.”
Yeah, I’m not getting in the middle of this for a billion credits. I listen to them argue while Vel takes us up.
Eventually, March swallows his anger and answers the question I’ve almost forgotten I asked. “Weapons hot, Jax. I trust you.”
With his nephew’s life—that’s what he’s saying. No pressure. I bring the guns online and target the house. I hate living dirtside, but this is the first time I’ve blown up a building over it. That thought is almost enough to make me laugh, despite the sitch.
Once he reaches sufficient altitude for us not to be caught in the shock wave, Vel gives the go-ahead, and I tap the panel. Beams of light arc toward the structure; impact offers both demolition and fire. I shoot several more times to make sure the destruction’s catastrophic. Since it’s not raining, the house should smolder until there’s nothing left but wreckage.
“Sorry,” I murmur to Vel.
“I have indemnity.”
I cut him a look, but he’s amused, not irritated. Which is excellent. I can only deal with one angry male at a time. It’s a good rule of thumb.
“That was
epic
,” Sasha says, watching the destruction down below.
March quiets him, but I’m glad the kid’s not scared. If he was as timid as the turn before, I’d be swimming in guilt right now.
“Incoming.” Vel wheels the shuttle.
“How many?” I ask.
“Six, fifty klicks out.”
I ponder. “Are we fast enough to outrun them?”
“Aw,” Sasha objects. “Blow them out of the sky!”
A few more comments like that, and I’ll start liking this kid. I flash him a smile while Vel checks the intercept course. March’s tension radiates until I feel it like a hot spot on the nape of my neck.
How mad are you?
It’s a test to see if he’s still in my head.
Very. But not at you. I should’ve seen this coming.
He’s there, wrestling with frustration.
This is ten kinds of fragged up.
I know you’re scared for Sasha, but we’ll keep him safe until we figure out a way—
There’s not going to
be
a way, Jax. We’re stuck for the duration.
Well, yeah. March told us how to wreak havoc in those strategy sessions. According to his advice, we chose our targets and bombed them simultaneously. We just didn’t think he’d still be on world when the foolproof plan when into effect.
Oops.
“Projected intercept in four minutes,” Vel replies after he finishes analyzing the drone trajectory. “So no.”
“Then let’s hold here. I don’t want them any closer to the base.”
Moments pass in tense silence, then the six drones appear on my screen. I miss the gun-pit interface. I’m not as adept on the console, but I’ll get better. I have to. I put the pressure from my mind. I can’t think about how
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