Pulse blasts hit the tree, sending bits of bark raining down on them.
Kira tucked herself further into the protection of the fallen tree. "We need to do something about that."
Otherwise, they were just asking to get sniped.
"I thought you'd never ask," Graydon said with a wink before climbing onto the top of the tree.
Brie attempted to stop him. "What are you doing? Get down from there or you'll get shot."
Kira pulled her back. "Don't worry. He'll be fine."
With a last glance at Graydon, Kira pushed Brie toward the creek bed that must have been the reason for the steep embankment. "We should get moving."
And give him room to work, Kira added privately.
Behind them the air crackled, the pressure in it causing Kira's ears to pop.
"What is he doing?" Brie asked, trying to get a look at Graydon.
Kira didn't let her, shoving her forward a little more forcefully. "Nothing you need to worry about."
There was a crack and then a flash of black light that seared her retinas even when looking in the opposite direction.
Brie dove for the ground, probably thinking a bomb had just gone off next to them.
An accurate description, Kira allowed as she glanced behind them to see the landscape obliterated by Graydon. The trees looked like they'd been snapped in half, lying on their side. The trunks splintered like matchsticks.
The snow had evaporated, leaving charred ground behind.
There was no longer any sign of the Tsavitee snipers.
"That's one way to handle it," Kira said as Graydon hopped down.
"We should do this again," he said, taking in the devastation with a pleased expression.
Kira shook her head as Brie climbed to her feet. "I'm so glad to see this is fun for you."
Graydon nodded. "It is."
Brie gaped at the destruction. "What did you do?"
"Tuann weapon," Graydon lied without changing expression. "Don't worry. I made sure no humans were in the vicinity first."
Brie's nod was distracted, her gaze still on the swath of forest that had been laid to waste.
"How much further?" Kira asked.
That seemed to snap Brie out of her daze. "A few miles."
Graydon sauntered past them. "We should get moving then."
They had only gone about a mile before the sound of battle up ahead had them slowing.
Kira joined Brie as the other listened carefully. "Is that where the ship is?"
Brie looked troubled as she shook her head. "We're still a couple miles out. There aren't any settlements in that direction either. Not for over a hundred miles. That's why Diesel chose it as a landing site for the smuggler’s ship."
Kira considered for a moment. If that was the case, then there was only one explanation for a battle to take place where there should be no people.
