the
reptile pair as Gates went to grab some rations of his own. After he’d eaten
and given the order to break camp, Gates introduced Twenty-Four to his men and
filled them in on the deal he’d reached with the reptile race. He expected some
discontent and he got it. Fortunately it was contained to questioning looks and
the occasional shake of the head. They weren’t happy that the female was to be
treated with courtesy. That the three men were to continue as hostages,
however, went a long way in appeasing them. And by the time they set off, the
group seemed to have recovered from the news.
“Don’t venture to the north.” Twenty-Four pointed to the
location on the map as Gates stared at the reader. As her forearm brushed
against his, Gates heard a soft growl from the back of the group and knew it
was Twelve voicing his displeasure. “There is a field of puffer plants there.”
“Puffer plants?”
“They produce spores that cause sleepiness.”
“Good to know. Kam and Julian, go ahead of us and scout out
the area.” The last time he’d sent Julian as a scout he’d done it to get some
time away from the man. But this time it was because Julian had proven himself.
First by finding the downed shuttle and then by shooting Twelve with the
sedative. And Kam had been the one to cover Haddisher’s botched shot last
night. If it hadn’t been for Kam’s aim, Julian would’ve been in a lot worse
shape today. Of his men, they were the two he trusted the most. “Make sure
we’re not walking into an ambush. If everything is good we’ll meet up here.” He
pointed to a spot on the map. “But if you spot anything suspicious come back.
We’ll stick to the south side of the river.”
Julian pulled out his reader and marked the route and the
designated meeting spot on his map. “Yes sir.”
It was on the tip of Gates’ tongue to tell Julian to be safe
but he managed to stop himself just in time. Instead he nodded stiffly as
Julian and Kam set off at a faster pace with only the packs on their backs.
Gates watched them leave until he couldn’t see them any longer.
“There is no ambush or trap.” Twenty-Four’s soft voice broke
the moment of silence.
“Then we’ll see Kam and Julian again at the designated
spot.”
“This is not safe land. Two men alone are vulnerable. You
should trust me.”
Yeah. Right. The day he showed that appallingly low level of
judgment was the day he’d resign his commission. “You’re my guide, not my
advisor.”
She was silent for a moment. “As you wish.”
With that, they continued along the path. As the hours
passed and the sun crossed the sky, however, he began to question his decision.
Even during lunch, as his men sat around him and talked about the heat of the
day, he felt uneasy. When Twenty-Four sat down next to him he bristled at her
nearness but he didn’t move.
“You do not want company.” It was a statement, not a
question, but he decided to answer her anyway.
“I have a lot on my mind.”
“You’re worried about your men?”
It hit a little close to home for his comfort. He hadn’t
thought he was that easy to read. Still, knowing it was the truth and admitting
it were two completely different things. “My men are the best of the best. They
can take care of themselves.”
“But it is harder when your heart is involved.” She glanced over
at Twelve as she spoke.
“I’m a man of my word. I’ll release Twelve as soon as we’ve
reached the bunker.”
She laughed gently. “That is nice. But I didn’t doubt you.”
She looked from Twelve to Gates. “I was talking about your heart.”
He froze for a second as her words took meaning. “My heart
is firmly in my chest but thank you for your concern.”
Twelve growled but Twenty-Four just continued to smile. “If
you say so.”
“I don’t think Twelve likes you sitting so close to me.”
“Twelve doesn’t like a great many things. Thankfully I like
cranky men.” She stood gracefully but
reptile pair as Gates went to grab some rations of his own. After he’d eaten
and given the order to break camp, Gates introduced Twenty-Four to his men and
filled them in on the deal he’d reached with the reptile race. He expected some
discontent and he got it. Fortunately it was contained to questioning looks and
the occasional shake of the head. They weren’t happy that the female was to be
treated with courtesy. That the three men were to continue as hostages,
however, went a long way in appeasing them. And by the time they set off, the
group seemed to have recovered from the news.
“Don’t venture to the north.” Twenty-Four pointed to the
location on the map as Gates stared at the reader. As her forearm brushed
against his, Gates heard a soft growl from the back of the group and knew it
was Twelve voicing his displeasure. “There is a field of puffer plants there.”
“Puffer plants?”
“They produce spores that cause sleepiness.”
“Good to know. Kam and Julian, go ahead of us and scout out
the area.” The last time he’d sent Julian as a scout he’d done it to get some
time away from the man. But this time it was because Julian had proven himself.
First by finding the downed shuttle and then by shooting Twelve with the
sedative. And Kam had been the one to cover Haddisher’s botched shot last
night. If it hadn’t been for Kam’s aim, Julian would’ve been in a lot worse
shape today. Of his men, they were the two he trusted the most. “Make sure
we’re not walking into an ambush. If everything is good we’ll meet up here.” He
pointed to a spot on the map. “But if you spot anything suspicious come back.
We’ll stick to the south side of the river.”
Julian pulled out his reader and marked the route and the
designated meeting spot on his map. “Yes sir.”
It was on the tip of Gates’ tongue to tell Julian to be safe
but he managed to stop himself just in time. Instead he nodded stiffly as
Julian and Kam set off at a faster pace with only the packs on their backs.
Gates watched them leave until he couldn’t see them any longer.
“There is no ambush or trap.” Twenty-Four’s soft voice broke
the moment of silence.
“Then we’ll see Kam and Julian again at the designated
spot.”
“This is not safe land. Two men alone are vulnerable. You
should trust me.”
Yeah. Right. The day he showed that appallingly low level of
judgment was the day he’d resign his commission. “You’re my guide, not my
advisor.”
She was silent for a moment. “As you wish.”
With that, they continued along the path. As the hours
passed and the sun crossed the sky, however, he began to question his decision.
Even during lunch, as his men sat around him and talked about the heat of the
day, he felt uneasy. When Twenty-Four sat down next to him he bristled at her
nearness but he didn’t move.
“You do not want company.” It was a statement, not a
question, but he decided to answer her anyway.
“I have a lot on my mind.”
“You’re worried about your men?”
It hit a little close to home for his comfort. He hadn’t
thought he was that easy to read. Still, knowing it was the truth and admitting
it were two completely different things. “My men are the best of the best. They
can take care of themselves.”
“But it is harder when your heart is involved.” She glanced over
at Twelve as she spoke.
“I’m a man of my word. I’ll release Twelve as soon as we’ve
reached the bunker.”
She laughed gently. “That is nice. But I didn’t doubt you.”
She looked from Twelve to Gates. “I was talking about your heart.”
He froze for a second as her words took meaning. “My heart
is firmly in my chest but thank you for your concern.”
Twelve growled but Twenty-Four just continued to smile. “If
you say so.”
“I don’t think Twelve likes you sitting so close to me.”
“Twelve doesn’t like a great many things. Thankfully I like
cranky men.” She stood gracefully but
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