The Phrixians held their hands up as if they were afraid, too, and moved to shield her. Hauk ran backwards through the hallway, toward the exit. He was almost to the door when someone opened fire on him in the stairwell. He fired up at them and hit the door running.

Ah, great… There was a group of League soldiers in the yard who turned immediately toward him.

Shit. Why couldn’t he ever catch a break during an escape? Just once?

They opened fire. And the moment they did, his friends came out to play and returned it with everything they had.

Grateful beyond belief, Hauk dodged the blasts that narrowly missed him and headed for the transport that was backed up to the gate. At a full run, he dove in headfirst and landed on top of Darling.

“Ah gah, Hauk! Lose some weight. You’re crushing me, you fat bastard! I don’t know how Sumi stands it.”

Laughing at Darling’s humor, he pinched his cheek. “Suck it up. You make a sweet cushion.” He rolled to his feet, then frowned. “Where are the others?”

“We sent them on ahead with Kalea to get her out of the line of fire.”

He sighed in relief as he saw Nyk, Maris, Fain, Darling, Nero, and Drake, who’d stayed behind to cover him. They were the best and he’d never appreciated them more.

Nero drove them out at full throttle, under heavy pursuit. The transport went careening down the street, sending pedestrians and other vehicles in all directions.

“Nero!” Darling shouted. “Some of us aren’t suicidal back here.”

“Then strap your ass down. Or lose it.” Nero jerked to the right.

This time, Darling landed on Hauk.

Hauk put him back on his feet. “Nuh-uh. You have to buy me dinner before you crawl on top of me, baby. No one gets a free ride on the Hauk train.”

Maris laughed. “I’m learning all kinds of fun things about you today, Hauk.”

Suddenly, the ride leveled out and slowed.

Darling blanched as they were hammered by League fire. “What are you doing, Nero?”

“Shh! I’m being stupid and I have to concentrate for it.”

Hauk winced over what that really meant. “Is he giving himself brain damage?”

Darling cursed under his breath. “With all of us inside? Yeah.”

Hauk clenched his teeth at the sacrifice Nero was making. “I can carry him out.”

“I’ll cover you both,” Nyk offered.

The transport picked up speed again. Within five minutes, they were back at the port. Nero parked and opened the hatch. He got up and pressed his hand to his nose, which was pouring blood all over him.

Hauk helped him out and slung one arm over his shoulder to help him walk. No one in the hangar paid any attention to them at all. It was as if they weren’t there. “You’ve cloaked us?”

Nero nodded.