He nodded, hiding any emotion before ducking his head outside the door and looking each way.
"Coast is clear. We're Oscar Mike."
Blue and Tank followed seconds after him.
Raider stopped next to her. He sighed and shook his head. "You don't have to do whatever you're planning."
Kira's smile was humorless. "Yeah, I kind of do. I have promises to keep."
He gave her a long look before sighing again. He adjusted the makeshift pack he was carrying and started to follow the rest.
"Raider," Kira said before she could stop herself.
He looked at her, the normal sly sarcasm there in his expression.
"Keep your head on the swivel," she said. It was what they'd told each other every time they left on a mission. It was a reminder to stay alert and on task, and not take stupid risks.
"Try to keep your powder dry." He gave her a small chin jerk before stepping through the doorway, his posture changing to wary alertness as he disappeared after the rest of the Curs.
Noor stole after him, theoshota’s passage silent.
She stayed where she was, wishing she could go with them, while realizing it never got easier sending your team into danger.
At least, she wasn't sending them onto a battlefield this time.
CHAPTER TWENTY
Finn and Isla conferredin quiet voices behind Kira, their voices a low buzz of sound as they discussed their options. She wasn't overly surprised when neither thought to include her.
She might have taken charge when the Curs were there, but now that they were out of the equation again, the Tuann had slipped back to treating her like a pretty ornament—something she would never be.
That was all right. She could follow their lead for now. They were more familiar with the terrain and more likely to have an idea of what they faced.
Kira waited with Jin, keeping watch, even though it was a mostly unnecessary exercise.
Finn and Isla were intent on each other as they discussed options. She suspected their single-minded focus was an illusion. Both were well-trained soldiers. It would be ingrained in them to keep a situational awareness at all times.
