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I slid another weapon into the transport case. “Yes.”

Her mouth twisted. “That wasn’t really a compliment.”

“I know.”

Behind her, the warning indicator on the wall terminal remained dark.

The query had stopped. That did not improve the situation.

Someone had searched for a location beacon that had been inactive for four months and should have been known only to a restricted operational network. Coincidence was possible. It was also irrelevant. I had not survived this long by assuming coincidence when another explanation could kill me.

“Veyr.”

I looked up.

Talia pointed toward the equipment case. “How much of that are you expecting to use?”

“As little as possible.”

Her eyes moved over the weapons again. “That answer sounded almost normal.”

I closed the case. “Put your bag on.”

“It is on.”

I looked at her shoulder.

It was.

I had already known that.

Talia’s eyebrows lifted. “You’re distracted.”

“No.”

“You just checked whether I was holding the bag I’m visibly holding.”

“I was confirming readiness.”

A faint smile touched her mouth, but there was no real humor in it. “That’s a very dignified way to say distracted.”

I picked up the case.

She continued watching me.

It had been easier when she was frightened enough to focus entirely on escape. Now she was observing. That was becoming a problem.

“Move.”

Her eyes sharpened immediately. “Drav?”

“No.”

“I’m expanding my vocabulary.”

“This is not the time.”

“That probably means I should learn faster.”