She paused to think.
Scratch that, she did find it hilarious. Not to mention gratifying.
“He is brash,” Alexander said with a tight expression.
“That’s one way of looking at it.” Kira moved to the edge of Selene’s shield as Raider crept forward, his attention locked on the cannon for the slightest sign of movement.
“How would you put it?”
“Confident. Brave. Maybe a little bit brash.”
Raider had earned every bit of his brashness through blood, sweat, and tears. If he thought he could do this, he could.
“Just because it’s not the way you would do things doesn’t mean his method is without merit,” Kira pointed out.
Raider reached the edge of what Kira predicted would be the cannon’s range, pausing to give it another look. He bounced on his toes a couple of times as if psyching himself up.
“He’s also right in that he has more experience in these matters than you.”
Alexander and the rest of the forty-three were amazing fighters but they’d never fought in battles involving fixed-mount firepower.
Kira and Raider had.
“It looks like things are about to get started. Be ready,” Kira warned as Raider lifted a hand and pointed at the cannon. She nodded at him holding up a hand with two fingers, telling him she’d be ready in two minutes.
“Devon, Joule, you’re in charge of taking care of any Tuann who try to ambush us.”
The two nodded, looking excited to have a task.
“Selene, Alexander—“ Kira started, not even getting to finish before Alexander stalked toward the secondary cannon mount. “Never mind. You do you.”
She supposed that meant the truce was at an end.
Selene squeezed Kira’s hand. “Take care of yourself. There are many among the Tuann who wish to see you fail.”
“You think they see you two any different?” Kira asked.
“We don’t have quite your propensity for attracting attention.” Selene glided toward where Alexander was waiting for her.
Alexander charged the second cannon with a roar that shook the air. The cannon pivoted to face him, tracking his path.
A thump came as it fired.
Alexander didn’t shy away, instead picking up speed as he raced for the arc of light closing in on him.
Two steps before it would have taken off his head, a shield formed. The blast splashed harmlessly against the transparent walls.
Then Alexander was through, a mad snarl on his face as he sped toward the cannon.
Off to the side, Raider threw up his hands. “Are you kidding me?”
Kira shrugged at him. “Apparently those two have their own plans.”
“And he gave me shit about being impetuous. What the fuck is that?”
Kira shook her head. “I don’t know.”
If she did, she’d probably find Alexander and Selene a lot easier to understand.
