Jin wondered how she’d managed to do that.He doubted it was anything so simple as Gus walking up to Kira and pointing her in the right direction.
He concentrated, feeling for her and his spawn in his mind.After a moment, he nodded.“She’s not far.The children and Caius are with her.”
He didn’t think he imagined the way Gus’s shoulders relaxed, leading him to suspect she cared a lot more for the situation than she was letting on.
Gus glanced at Flame in silent order.
The man smiled easily, moseying over to Jin.“I suspect this is for you.”
Jin took the data device he handed over.“What’s this?”
“All the evidence I collected about the fake Belladonna and the people they were working with,” Flame answered before looking at Gus.“Ready, station administrator?”
Gus turned to go before pausing.“I’m really glad to see you well, Jin.”
“This has been fun.Maybe we could do this again,” Jin offered.
This sister of his was growing on him.It wouldn’t be bad to see her every now and then.
“I’m not sure about that,” Gus mumbled in a low voice, transmitted by Jin’s spawn.
She and Flame departed out of the exit at the back of the chamber.What must have been the pirates escape route should their hideout be breached.
Jin watched them go for a moment before heading toward the nearest computer console.“Let’s see what Gus gave us while we wait for Nixxy to arrive.”
Graydon
Blood flecked Graydon’s synth armor as he yanked his blade out of a human chest.Finn and Talon did the same on the opposite side of the corridor.Raider hung back, sniping their enemies and providing support.Amila and Solal guarded each other’s backs as they worked their way through the latest patrol.
“There’s no end to them,” Solal complained once they’d dispatched their group.
Raider darted past, killing a pirate who tried to flee.“Humans breed like rabbits.”
“What’s a rabbit?”Amila asked.
Raider thought about it for a moment before shrugging.“Some rodent native to Earth, I think.I’ve never actually seen one.”
“How many patrols does this make?”Talon asked as he and Finn rejoined them.
“Four,” Raider said.
The path they’d taken from the upper levels to the lower ones appeared to be a popular route.Every encounter cost them time, making Graydon’s impatience to get back to Kira’s side grow.
“No rebels though,” Solal said.
“Either our information was wrong or they’ve already cleared out,” Graydon said.
The masterminds behind this rebellion were proving both more intelligent and patient than expected.They were also perceptive enough to sense when the winds shifted out of their favor.
Graydon had a feeling this wouldn’t be the last time he was forced to chase after their trail.
“Let’s move on.Jin and Kira are waiting,” Graydon ordered, heading toward the chamber the pirates had come out of.
They encountered two more patrols as they moved through the honeycomb.The time between encounters shortening significantly.Graydon chose to see that as a sign that they were getting close to their headquarters.
Still, no Kira.No Jin.And no rebels.
They had just reached the level below when Solal signaled that another patrol was ahead.Finn and Talon fell into position.
