It’s a glossy chrome shade in the picture.
“Bet it’s dirty and busted now. But that’s better than going on nothing,” Sefina says. “Thanks.”
“I’m going to drop you two with some camping gear in the approaching clearing, but I can’t stay. I’m on assignment with Holo, scanning for any other Titans we’re missing from the original drop.
“There’s conflicting data over missing Titans, which ones were lost during the jailbreak, versus those who have just gone silent. When we leave this place, there’s no telling when we’ll be back, you know?”
Sefina slumps and rests a hand on Kelta’s shoulder, a sign of compassion that surprises me. “Can we help with anything else before you drop us off?”
“Clover will then be able to run a final sweep of the entire planet. But in case you don’t find the unit, Thruster and I are doing our best. Everyone else is working final prep for the launch in just under two days. The sooner you get the unit and get back, the sooner we can get all the last details lined out and get off this blasted rock. Other than that, we’re good.”
“Why did Commander Savage not report these orders directly to me?” I ask Kelta.
“He’s requested a few of us manage certain tasks because he can’t handle everything. Leah is technically a co-commander with him, but she’s busy working on the BlazeStar’s Titan repair facilities.”
“Everyone is heading to the ship directly,” Sefina says. “No more pickup? That’s what I heard, right?”
When she meets my eyes, I nod. “Welvirs in the tunnels are making it too hard to move the whole group.”
Kelta banks around the mountains, checking the area before setting down in the meadow. “We’re all heading to our designated stations. As soon as the ship’s loaded, we’re on alert for Savage’s orders for ascent. Final orders will come through tomorrow. He’s just got his hands full right now.”
As we land, Kelta motions to the packs of gear in the seat behind her. “Take those. It’s the best of what I could scrape together. Keanna tossed in some dried meat strips. She would’ve come but is on guard in the tunnels below the mountain for welvirs.”
Kelta pulls up a scan of the underground facility not far ahead. “Nature’s ass marks tunnel access—two small mounds with a brushy hole in the middle. That will take you down to the passages where the device is. Not sure what you’ll find down there. But I would be on high alert for Solcrue and welvirs.”
“Understood.” Sefina unbuckles her harness and gets up like she didn’t have surgery just hours ago. I’m glad to see she’s back to her old self, even the dissecting gaze that slides over me.
“Any chance you have extra ammunition?” I ask.
Kelta taps something on her dash that lights up a cabinet beside me. I open it and find a plethora of weapons, from blades and voltsticks to grav-punch guns and EMP grenades.
“Jackpot.” Sefina collects a handful of magazines for her guns, then selects a midsize zembi from a drawer. “Can I?”
Kelta nods. “We found a crate on the ship. Just try not to lose it. Those are special Titan weapons.”
“Understood.” Sefina straps it to her waist as I stock up ammo for my rifle and handguns, then snag a bag of EMP grenades. When I close the door, the cabinet seals and darkens.
“Good luck.”
“How do we get back to the BlazeStar?” Sefina asks.
Kelta points to a wrecked radio tower. “Fury’s ship is cloaked on that mountaintop among the trees. But Menace can contact us when you’re out, and we’ll arrange for a pick-up. Clover wants the part ASAP. And we’re not going to leave without you.”
“Thanks Kelta.” Sefina extends a fist to her. Kelta bumps it with hers.
“Be safe. Solcrue have advanced weapons in recent years. They’re scanning Titans and have built themselves a cyborg they call KillStar. She’s dangerous.”
“We have amenace,” Sefina chuckles, filling me with a small sense of pride. “I’ve heard of her. We’ll keep an eye out.”
Kelta lowers the ramp. “Area is clear for the moment. Stay hidden.”
I descend first, scan the area, and then motion Sefina out once I’m sure the forest is safe.
The ramp closes behind her. Kelta waits for us to head into the trees before igniting her thrusters and hovering up into the sky. Her engines’ whirring drone fades with her ship’s dark shapes.
Seconds later, the warping hum of Skysprinter engines race after her.
Menace>>FeatherLite: Skysprinter hot on your tail.
