Just then, the pilot came out of the cockpit. “Hello, folks, I’m Captain Brown and I’ll be getting you to Talas today. Our flight time should be roughly three and a half hours. Time to strap in.”

Once they were aloft, Michelle got up to see how the other team members were doing. Aero, Earth Witch, and Bugsy were clustered around the galley.

“A little early in the trip to be drinking,” Michelle said. Bugsy opened a beer, then handed it to her. She took a swig. It was hoppy, cold, and just what she needed.

“I dunno,” Bugsy said with a shrug. “Pretty much all of these missions could be better with booze. And lots of it.”

“You got that right,” Ana said. She gave Michelle a conspiratorial grin, then drank half her bottle in one long pull.

“You might want to slow down on that,” Aero interjected. “We’re flying supersonic, and that means the alcohol is going to hit you hard and fast.” Then he gave Michelle a wink.

“God, I hope so,” Michelle replied, and Ana nodded to show her support. They’d been together on enough assignments that Michelle knew one beer would be it for both of them. Neither of them would risk the mission.

Recycler and Tinker made their way to the bar. Omweer stayed in his seat and gave them a withering look over his glasses. Then he went back to reading his journal. What a peach, Michelle thought.

“Give me one of those,” Tinker said. He was dressed in his usual beach-bum attire. Puka shells, raggedy blue jeans, and a button-up denim shirt opened enough to show off his tan and his sun-bleached chest hair. “Not bad,” he said, taking a chug. “Got anything to eat?”

Ana turned and pulled out the galley’s metal drawer. “Looks like sandwiches.” She took the drawer all the way out and put it across two of the seats. “Help yourselves, folks.”

Everyone grabbed a sandwich and went back to their seats to eat. Michelle grabbed two sandwiches, one for her and one for Sheeba.

“Here you go,” she said as she sat down. “I hope you don’t mind roast beef.”

The Angel smiled. “Not at all. Thanks for thinking of me.”

“We’ve gotta think of everyone now,” Michelle said. “The only way we get the mission done is by having everyone’s back. And remembering why we’re here. But this isn’t anything new for you.”

“And this is why you left your little girl?” the Angel asked.

Michelle toyed with the wrapping on her sandwich. “She’s the only reason I’m going.” The thought made her feel as if she were being punched in the heart, and she got up to go grab a tissue. On her way back from the bathroom, she saw Recycler sitting by himself.

“Hey there, Tiago,” she said with a smile. “How’re you doing?”

He gave her a wan smile. She liked his face despite the mash-up of colors. A far as jokers went, she’d seen far worse.