They didn’t know Jin, Kira told herself.If they did, they’d never question his capabilities.
Bez’s expression turned as close to pleading as the proud Tuann was likely to get.“At least let me return to the enclave on my own to see if any of their ships can be recovered.It’s better than entrusting our lives to that.”
They all glanced at the ship in question.
Honestly, Kira was tempted.The idea of escaping the planet’s gravity in that thing was terrifying.Any ship in the enclave’s possession was likely to be well cared for.The problem was that they’d have to dig out and then repair any ship they found, wasting precious time for something that wasn’t a guarantee.
“Separating would be unwise,” Roderick said in a stiff voice.
“He’s right,” Kira admitted reluctantly.“We don’t know who else is out there.”
All the pirates they’d come across were dead, but there could still be others.
Bez blew a raspberry.“Humans.Easily dealt with.”
He wasn’t saying that earlier when a sniper had them pinned and their only option was a risky plan that resulted in a landslide.
“Everyone sticks together.No one goes off alone,” Kira said with a note of finality.
“Why are you being so stubborn?”
Kira turned Bez’s question around on him.“Why are you being so insistent?”
She didn’t hide her suspicions, letting him see every ounce of the doubt and paranoia that had kept her alive for so long.
Bez stalked off with an angry curse.
“Forgive him,” Az said in a strained voice.“This situation has him on edge.”
“Everyone’s upset.”
“The pressure of knowing that Caius is relying on us is making him rash.We are oshota.Maybe not in name but in spirit.I’m sure you can relate,” Az said pointedly.
“Yeah.Whatever.”
Az’s humble act could only buy so much goodwill.One more upset and Kira was leaving her and her team, with the exception of Pye, on this planet.She’d have Harlow send someone for them once things were settled.
She had half a mind to do that anyway.
Kira summoned Maksym with a tilt of her head.
He shook his hands, flinging water everywhere before following her back toward the ship.
“Bold, little heir,” he said.
“Do you think I’m wrong?”
“What was that saying you used during training last time?A rock in the hand is worth two in the bush?”
“It’s a bird in the bush.Why would you have a rock?”
“What would you want with a bird?”Maksym asked in confusion.
“To eat it.”Actually, Kira wasn’t certain about that.“Never mind.It’s not important.”She was too tired to explain the intricacies of human sayings.“Can you make sure none of them wander off on their own?”
“I was already doing that,” Maksym assured her with a wink.
“Funny—I thought that was what Roderick was doing.”
