“Kelta is coming with Thruster. Please ride with her. This is going to get messy. It’s best if you’re with another human. Exit out the rear airlock.”
I don’t like the idea of leaving. “Can’t I stay? You put me in a suit.”
He winces as another missile hits the port side of the transport.
“Armor.”
“Just go!” he roars at me.
I get down and back up. I don’t know if he’s suddenly changed his mind about us, or if he’s genuinely afraid this might be the beginning of the end.
“She’ll get you safely to space,” he says. “She’s a rebel pilot, according to Thruster.”
I don’t like it. “I’ll leave my bag in case you need my parts.”
Armor studies me for a long, sad moment.
“Come back to me in one piece,” I tell him.
Armor swallows but says nothing. I know he can’t promise that. But I want him to know he’s wanted. I hug him, kiss hischest, and hope it’s enough to keep him from doing anything exceptionally stupid.
As I walk to the back, I notice Joey and Lenarro in their cells. Joey’s almost laughing, his finger digging into his wrist in a pattern like Morse code. He’s got a built-in com in his wrist. I’d bet my life on it.
“Son of a bitch.” I charge into the room and punch him in the face. When he reacts to grab his face, I snatch his wrist up and inspect it.
Embedded communicator.
“Any available Titans to kick two leeches out in a pod? I could use some help.”
Mace peeks in. “Problem?”
“He’s been communicating with a device in his wrist.”
“Fucker.” Mace storms inside, grabs Joey by the collar, and readies a hand over his wrist. “You’ll probably lose the hand, so you’ll get to look like your friend over there.”
Joey quiets.
“Which do you want? To be thrown out or lose your hand?” I ask.
“Bloodtracker,” Joey grins.
Mace nods, frees him from his harness, and drags him to the rear airlock.
Lenarro calls to us. I can’t hear him, but I can see it. I round the corner into his room.
“Send me with him.”
“Why? You have a chance to be free.”
“No, he doesn’t,” Armor says in my helmet. “He has harmed many to keep his cover. Throw him out.”
I tilt my head, listening to the many Titans who agree with Armor. “Never mind. I got vetoed.”
“Sounds about right,” Lenarro mutters.
I draw my zembi and ignite it. “Try anything...”
He lifts his hands. “You know my story. If Leah’s safe with the Titans, nothing else matters. But maybe I can finally fuck some shit up. Just tell your sister hi for me.”
