Page 102

"The water isn't the boundary," Jade told him. "The island is. Nesting Zrakes clear the whole landmass around their clutches, and they become more aggressive as the colony settles."

The researcher looked at me. "Can your squad contain them long enough to preserve the stations?"

"No. We are not starting a fight with an entire nesting colony to protect replaceable equipment."

"We have eight days of work here."

"Then take the records and whatever samples you can carry," Nykos said. "You have six minutes before the final boat leaves."

Dannian placed a chest into the researcher's arms. "This flare effect is what we came to study. The Zrakes moving an entire colony overnight is part of that event, welcome to field work. Now get ready to leave."

That ended the argument. I looked around at all the cases Alex had floated here.

"Alex can't float them all back in one trip and we need him if we have to defend. Take what you can carry."

Jade examined the groups forming around the cases. "The stone samples are too heavy for the eastern route. Split them from the biological ones."

"We need the original groupings for provenance," Dannian said.

"Mark them before splitting. If someone sinks into the bank, you'll lose the person and the sample."

"Divide the mineral cases," Dannian ordered. "Keep every label attached."

Nykos came toward us, his attention settling on the remains of my boot. "You fell."

"I recovered."

He looked at Jade.

"Both lower bones," she said. "He can run."

"We need the northern route," I said.

"Halver is returning. The eastern channel has risen, but Alex is holding the bank stable. Two injured trainees are already moving with the first group."

A crash sounded from the southern jungle.

Nykos raised his voice. "Second group, move. No loose equipment and nobody enters the water."

Halver emerged in full Veylith form, the blue markings bright beneath the canopy.

"The lower banks are flooded." His voice came through the link clearer now that he was closer to Nykos.

"Use the higher bank," I told him. "Scout ahead and signal Alex before the group reaches the flooded bend."

Halver left at once.

Jade watched him disappear. "What do you need me to do?"

I handed her the route card. "Keep us out of the adults' path. You know their behavior better than anyone here."

Her fingers closed around the card. She looked at me as if expecting a second instruction that would reduce the responsibility to something smaller. I did not give one.

"The groups need more distance between them," she said. "If a Zrake surfaces in front of the line, everyone behind will compress and look like one large threat."

Nykos changed the route markers without questioning her. "Third group, follow Halver to the blue tree, then turn east."

Water moved between the southern trees.