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“We just got here,”Jackson said the moment we announced our rescue mission.

Travis clenched his jaw. “I thought we were supposed to regroup and attack again before they could repair the robots we took out.”

“Things happen,” I said. “How many AI did everyone get on the first sweep?”

“Five for us,” Nicole said, smirking toward Jackson.

“I got two on the way back and then one more when I found you,” Travis said.

“I could have done it if you hadn’t interfered,” I mumbled as we climbed out the window. “So that’s nine altogether unless Mason got more,” I said when we dropped to the ground.

Nicole tossed us each a hydropod Travis had stashed in his hideout of a room. “Let’s hope it wasn’t the other way around.”

“He commed us,” I said before quickly adding, “though it was broken up and I couldn’t understand most of what he said. He had to be okay enough to do that.” The cavity in my chest that started when Travis showed up without him tore wide open, causing physical pain. I had to be careful, especially considering what Travis said about Mason attacking him. We needed to keep Travis calm and in sight.

No one answered as we crept toward the setting nanosuns. I wondered if this direction was truly west. It was so disorienting being down there.

“Sam and I should go after more bots. It’s insane to try to risk everything by rescuing the guy who’s probably the killer,” Travis said, kicking a stone out of the way.

“My brother is not a killer, and we’re all sticking together,” Nicole said firmly.

Travis took my hand, and I fought not to jerk away from him as he pulled me into his side and nuzzled against my ear. “You still can’t go into the aquarium, can you?”

All I could see was Mason in danger. I’d forgotten the cold, debilitating feeling of stepping inside what seemed like the ocean itself. I glanced over at the ever-present ocean view I’d gotten so good at ignoring and tensed at the shadows that danced in the dark waters just beyond.

“I’ll be okay,” I said, pulling away from him.

“It doesn’t make sense for us all to go,” Travis said out loud. “We want to off all the robots before our hard work is for nothing. They’ll be onto us if we try this again. And I don’t know about you guys, but I really don’t want to have to try this again.”

He reached for my arm and started to tug me off the track. Once again, I slipped out of his grip.

“We don’t know what we’re going to run into when we get there. We need to stay together. We’re stronger in numbers.”

Travis glared at me. “You’re the boss, Miss Intern.”

“No, I am,” Nicole said. “I own this madhouse. But I defer to Sam because the girl knows what she’s talking about.”

I half smiled. “Thanks.” If only that were true.

The walk to the aquarium felt longer than I remembered. Every step came with agonizing worry about whether I’d taken too long to reach Mason. I kept seeing Marcy Lakewood’s swollen face in my mind or Graham’s motionless form bobbing in the pool. But when my imagination tried to picture Mason, lifeless and bloody or trapped in the water, I shoved it away and hurried forward, unable to hold back any longer.

The entire route, Nicole watched me, trailing after me with her gaze. But she made no more commentary, just stayed in my brother’s shadow. I hoped he meant something more to her than a shield.

I made a dash for the front door when it came into view, but Travis stopped me and pulled me aside with a hand clamped over my mouth. Nicole narrowed her eyes, and my heroic big brother just sat there, staring.

“We don’t want to be obvious,” Travis said through gritted teeth.

I quieted and he let me go. “Right.”

“What we need is a decoy,” Nicole said. “A distraction in the front to draw whatever’s around while the rest of us go attack from the side.”

“Figures.” Travis laughed. “One of us is expendable as long as you get Prince Charming back.”

“Cool it, misunderstood rebel. I didn’t mean a person.” Nicole tugged off her wristcom and smacked it against Jackson’s chest. “Can you put it back online? I mean so they can track them again?”

“Brilliant!” Jackson fished in his pocket for a knife and cracked it open. A few minutes later, and it was ready. “I’m going to start it up and toss it toward the door. You guys prepared?”