Ivennie hovers to the side with her own bowl, frozen in indecision about where to sit. After a few moments, Magda gestures to her, and she gratefully darts over. As she sits next to her, Magda steals Daniil’s half of the blanket and wraps it around the other woman instead, rubbing warmth into her arms.

“No word yet.” I focus on my bowl of food instead of on my team and their casual affections. “But I trust that the general has us here for a reason.”

“Altair wouldn’t waste our time.” Sverre’s voice is a quiet, rare rumble. “He knows our value.” I nod to him, glad that at least one member of my team isn’t acting like an impatient child. Sverre has been at my side the longest of all. It took me weeks to earn the trust of the very patriotic Titan, who hails from a small village to the east and had never met an off-worlder before me. It also took one thorough beating in hand-to-hand combat when he decided to challenge me. But ever since I bested him, I’ve had his loyalty, and found myself grateful for his presence in new ways every day.

“Yes, yes, we all know Altair is unbearably wise.” Magda sighs. “It’s just that it’s very cold out here, and boring, and I miss the taste of beer.”

“Can’t help with the beer, but surely I kept you warm and entertained last night?” Daniil asks, feigning offense.

Magda lets out a full-throated laugh, nudging him in the ribs. I shove another bite of food into my mouth, unable to bring myself to mentally repeat the jealousy mantra again. It’s a lost cause.

“If you’re so bored, then we’ll have a change of pace today,” I say, once I trust my voice to stay neutral. “We could use some combat exercises after spending so much time on our asses. And we’ll extend our usual patrol. I don’t like how quiet it’s been. We can’t forget how close we are to enemy territory.”

“Combat exercises and patrols?” Magda wrinkles her nose. “You truly have the worst idea of entertainment. Must be those Gaian sensibilities of yours.”

Everyone laughs, aside from Ivennie, who shoots me a wide-eyed, uncertain glance.

“I’ll take that as volunteering for the first patrol,” I say, unwilling to show Magda that her comment chafes even though I tell myself she’s merely teasing me. None of them would have poked fun at me in such a way before she showed up.

“It was a joke, Sarge. Surely they have jokes on Gaia?” She tilts her head to study me, waiting to see if I’ll take the bait.