"Unless you think it's necessary," Alvarez cut in.
Sykes shook her head in disbelief.
Kira ignored their antics. "How much further?"
"Less than a mile," Brie answered.
"Alright then, let's get this show on the road," Kira instructed. "Alvarez, Sykes—you take point with Brie since you three know where we're going. Graydon and I will bring up the rear. Odin you're in the middle."
In the most protected position.
"What about me?" the J1N asked.
Kira's sigh was impatient. "As always, you're on overwatch."
The real Jin wouldn't have needed her to explain this to him. He would have already been up there performing his duties.
"Woohoo," the J1N cried as he zipped toward the treetops.
Kira's eyebrow twitched as she watched him go. Was it too late to leave him behind?
Odin patted Kira's shoulder in sympathy as she started after the rest. "Just a little longer."
Graydon stopped beside Kira. "Everything good?"
"Just dandy." Kira slapped the back of her hand against Graydon's abs. "Let's get moving before they leave us behind."
His chuckle followed her. "As if that's possible."
Kira bit back her smile, not wanting to feed his ego.
The group set a punishing pace that didn't allow for much talking as they traversed the last mile or so of terrain. They stayed on alert. Tense and expectant, knowing an attack could come at any moment.
To everyone's relief, there were no further confrontations with the Tsavitee. Their passage unobstructed. All the way until they spotted the break in the tree line where a clearing and their destination awaited.
"There it is," Sykes called over her shoulder.
Nearly blending in with the boulders and snow around it, the ship sat quietly. Its engine silent. Its lights off.
Kira slowed. "Something is wrong."
Apparently not listening, Sykes stepped out of the timberline.
"Sykes, wait," Alvarez called. "We have to clear the area."
The human was too eager, already crossing the open area to the ship.
Graydon frowned, scanning the area suspiciously.
Odin stopped as well, sending Kira a questioning look. "What is it?"
Kira shook her head, still trying to figure out what about this scene felt wrong. A second later, she had it. The ice under the ship. It shouldn't be frozen over like that. With an extraction under these conditions, the pilot would have kept the ship running to enable them to take off immediately in case their passengers came in hot.
More importantly—
"Where's the pilot?" Kira asked.
Sykes reached the ship, banging on the side. "Come on! Open up!"
