I sway with her in my arms. “Between your warrior father and your fearless mother, you’ve got some baller genes, kid.”
The women give Nevada their attention, and her face sobers.
“Okay,” she says. “We have the chip.” She smiles as the other women cheer. “Yes, that’s all thanks to Sarissa’s determination and gung ho attitude. And her sexy commander, of course.”
The other women crack up as I groan. “He’s not my commander,” I mutter, but Nevada ignores that.
“But the chip is just the first step. Alexis and Kate need to get onto the ship to see if the chip will work. I don’t have to explain exactly how dangerous that is. They’ll be heading to the ship tomorrow, under full guard, and if the Braxians agree it’s safe enough to get on the ship, they’ll let us know if the chip is usable. They’ll also do some analysis to see if the ship can actually be flown out of here. In the meantime, we have bigger problems.”
The clearing goes silent, all signs of celebration gone.
“War is coming. And it’s coming soon.”
Nevada explains everything, from the trap the Dokhalls set for anyone crossing the water, to the camp—and our attempt to set it all aflame.
“They know they’re no longer hidden, which means their plans are in high gear. They don’t know we have the chip, but I have little doubt their spies will find out soon. We need to prepare.”
She glances at Ivy, who nods, stepping forward.
“I’ve created a schedule of tasks that need to be completed. These include everything from sorting and building weapons to reinforcing the camp gates and taking stock of our food levels. If you’re not sure where your skills will be best used, ask.”
Nevada nods in agreement. “Believe me, there’s something for everyone.”
One of the younger women, a teenager called Lace, raises her hand. “How long do we have?”
I’ve always liked Lace. A few days after we landed—before we realized we’d need the control chip to use the ship—Nevada and a bunch of the other women had a meeting. They worried about allowing the younger women to get on the ship. After all, many of them were under the age of eighteen, and as Clara argued, you can’t even enlist for the military in the USA until you’re seventeen. Were they really mature enough to make the decision to go to space on such a risky journey?
Amongst the women who landed with me, there are five or six teenagers, ranging in age from fifteen to nineteen. Teenagers are tough, and so far, the younger women have rolled with the punches, fitting in well with the Braxians their age.
But not Lace.
She refuses to hang out with the other kids unless they’re training. She has an aptitude for fighting, and when I asked her about her past, the hard look in her eyes made me shut my mouth.
She argued passionately with Clara, stating the teenagers had been through more than anyone could have expected at that age and insisting life experience should count for something. She swore she would be on that ship no matter what Clara said and pointed out Clara wasn’t her parent.
“You’re sliding perilously close to ‘you’re not the boss of me,’” Nevada said. “Quit while you’re ahead.”
Lace stared Nevada down before finally turning and stomping away.
“Unless you’re asking us to chain her up, she’s going with you,” Nevada said, and Clara got a steely look in her eye. I have no doubt Clara is planning something that will have Lace mysteriously detained when it’s time for us to leave. But I’m also sure Lace can take anything Clara throws out.
“For what it’s worth,” I said, “I think you should take her. Who are we to tell her it’s not safe when we’re about to do the exact same trip?”
“We’re informed,” Hannah piped up. “Hence why many of us are choosing to stay here. When you’re that age, you think you’re invincible.”
Ivy slowly shook her head. “No,” she said. “Not if you’ve been abducted by aliens and crashed on a strange planet. You don’t think you’re invincible at all. In fact, you know down to your bones that any illusion of safety can be stolen from you without any warning.”
Danica’s fist hits me in the face, and I realize I’m daydreaming. I’ve still only had a few hours’ sleep, and despite myself, all I want to do is go back to Korzyn’s kradi and curl up next to him.
Oh, please. You want to do a lot more than that.
“Sarissa?”
“Hmm? Oh. I don’t think we damaged their army as much as we’d hoped. They may not have that poop canopy to hide under anymore, but unless Dragix flew over after us and torched all of them, they’re likely regrouping and making plans.”
The crowd goes silent, and all eyes turn to Charlie, who’s sitting on a rock on the edge of the clearing. Her shoulders are hunched, and she looks heartsick, her face pale and drawn.
Good one, Sarissa. Why don’t you kick her while she’s down while you’re at it?”
“Okay,” Nevada says, drawing all eyes back to her. Charlie seems to pay no attention, staring into space. I glance at Zoey, who’s sitting next to her, and the healer meets my gaze with a nod. She’s concerned too.
“We’ll meet back here after Alexis and Kate have tried the chip. In the meantime, we all need to get to work.”
Nevada turns, taking Danica from my arms. I’d never admit it, but I miss the solid weight of her when she’s gone. Nevada pats her on the butt, wipes drool off her chin, and gestures for me to follow her.
“Rakiz is meeting with Dexar and Tecar. I think he’ll probably invite your commander to that little club as well. Why don’t you come join Ellie and me for lunch?”
My stomach grumbles, and I grin, pushing away thoughts of Korzyn. “Sure.”
Ellie is already waiting in Nevada’s tashiv when we arrive. “Sorry, guys, I just didn’t have it in me
