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“I’m always up for a little destroying.” Georgia cracked her knuckles.

“That’s my girl.” Ash kissed the top of Georgia’s head.

Cleo was also in the mood to kill something. She’d gotten nowhere trying to find out where Hunter had been deployed. And all attempts to talk to Commissioner Viewick had been blindsided. He was hiding like a coward because he knew she’d fight Hunter’s corner, but he couldn’t keep on avoiding her. The next time they had a meeting, she’d make sure their only topic of conversation was Hunter and when he was being returned to the Apocalypse.

Smashing some Siblet skulls would take the edge off her rage, but it would do nothing to quiet the throb of misery inside her. Hunter was a huge part of her life and being without him was wrong. Cleo wouldn’t stop fighting until she got him back.

“I’ll go see how Rexx and Daisy are doing upfront.” Ash unstrapped from his seat and strolled to the cockpit.

Georgia leaned back in her seat and crossed her arms over her chest. “You doing okay?”

“Same as always.” Cleo studied the map in front of her.

“Sure you are. You look like you haven’t slept since Hunter left.”

“I have. At least a bit.”

Georgia snorted. “Sure you have. And you’re wearing yesterday’s uniform.”

“I’m not.”

“That chocolate smear on the sleeve says otherwise.”

Cleo tugged at her sleeve. “I’ve been too busy to think about clothing. Besides, this is a mission, not a fashion parade.”

“You’re worrying about Hunter?”

“Of course!” She leaned back and sighed. “I can’t get anywhere with High Command.”

“You need to tackle the Apexians. High Command are pussies. Go straight for the tough guys. Commissioner Viewick will bend over and take it if the Apexians decide Hunter can come back to the Apocalypse.”

“Commissioner Viewick will hate that.”

“Like he’s going to do anything about it? That loser shakes in his seat every time he talks to Jagger. I don’t get the pleasure of many meetings with High Command, but it’s obvious Commissioner Viewick is terrified of him.”

Cleo nodded. Commissioner Viewick was a serious toady. If she could get Jagger to be lenient on Hunter, it would sway High Command.

“If you want Hunter back, you need to face off with the Apexians, and don’t take any shit from them. They’ll respect you more if you lay out the facts and show them how vital Hunter is.”

Cleo chewed on her bottom lip. “I’ll try anything.”

Georgia leaned forward. “And don’t worry about being safe when we’re on the planet. Ash may joke around, but he’ll look out for both of us. He won’t let you down.”

“Thanks. I know he won’t.” Cleo had to keep it together, even though everything hurt, and she just wanted to crawl into bed and not get out for a month. This was about her team and getting the Siblet to stop making their weapons. She wasn’t submitting to her misery. Not just yet.

“We’re five minutes from landing.” Ash appeared and settled in the seat next to Georgia.

“Let’s get the equipment prepped, so we’re ready when we land. We need to be off Rowick within the hour,” Cleo said.

Ash and Georgia headed off to grab the equipment packs, while Cleo walked into the cockpit. “Hey, any problems?”

“No. Smooth flying,” Rexx said.

Daisy smiled at her. “The signal is constant. There’s definitely something down there.”

“You both stay on board and be ready to leave when we get back. And keep a watch out for any restless locals. Desperate people do dumb things.”

“Of course.” Daisy reached over and squeezed Cleo’s hand. “Is everything good with you?”