After a final check, we all loaded into an unmarked transport. We had discussed leaving from a different location just in case the empress was more involved than she seemed, but speed had been deemed more important than stealth.

This transport was smaller than the one we’d used coming from the spaceport, with overhead handles rather than seats. I still wasn’t used to seeing all of the Valoffs in their armor, and I shivered as painful memories tried to rise.

I focused on my team instead. They were easier to tell apart. Kee was the shortest and she was fussing with a slate, cursing and coaxing at turns under her breath. Anja and Lexi were about the same build, but Anja was just a little taller. And Eli towered over us all.

“Teams, begin shielding,” Torran said. I relayed the command so the cool feeling of the Valoffs shielding our minds wouldn’t startle my team.

“I’m never going to fucking get used to that,” Lexi muttered loud enough for the comm to pick up. “If that asshole reads my thoughts, I’m going to gut him.”

“Just don’t think loud thoughts,” Kee said with a snicker. “Shouldn’t be a problem for you, right?”

We’d practiced the shielding, and while Lexi didn’t love it, she tolerated it because it was necessary. But she always warned Nilo that his life was over the moment he dipped into her thoughts. I had a feeling I knew exactly what she was so desperate to keep secret.

The transport lifted from the ground, and we were on our way. I said the same prayer that had gotten me through the war: I prayed for strength and guidance and safety.

The ride was quiet. We were all focused on the upcoming operation. I could still feel Torran’s presence in my mind, but it was distant.

When the transport settled to the ground in the forest just outside view of the monitoring station, I touched each person in my squad. My team, used to the tradition, raised their hands for high fives as I came by. It was a ritual that I’d done countless times. After a moment’s hesitation, I turned to the Valoffs. We were all teammates now, so I clapped them on the shoulders or gave them high fives, too.

I saved Torran for last. He took my hand in his, then his voice whispered into my head. “We have a plan. We’ve trained. We’re ready.”

“Let’s get your nephew,” I responded mentally. I was getting better about projecting my thoughts at him without having to verbalize them.