“If it’s ludicrous, it’s probably great.” Affie’s enthusiasm had been renewed. “I’ve learned that working with Leox and Geode.”

No doubt. Reath turned to Dez. “The Aytees are programmed to attack any threats to the plants on this station, right?”

“Sure looks like it.” Dez rested his hands on his hips. “What’s this about, Reath?”

“Watch.” Reath went to one of the smaller plants on the station, a budding yellow flower in a fist-sized round container. Many of them lined the walkways; the containers seemed to operate as makeshift nurseries for the 8-Ts. Gently he eased the container from the soil. As he brushed away some of the dirt, a handful of 8-Ts swiveled to stare at Reath. This behavior was clearly suspect.

Very carefully, he tucked the flower’s container into the folds of his robe jacket, then snugly tied the belt around it. His knot was so secure that he could’ve done an acrobatic flip in the air without bruising a single petal. The 8-Ts stared for another second or so before turning to go about their business.

“There,” he said. “They realize this doesn’t count as damaging the plants. And if we wear these on our mission—”

“They won’t attack us,” Nan said. “Because hurting us would mean hurting the flowers!”

Dez grinned, too, and even the Mizi nodded. Affie, however, folded her arms. “So you’re saying that we’re taking plants as hostages. Using them as body shields.”

When she put it that way, it sounded worse. But—“Well, yeah.”

“Ludicrous,” Affie said. The smile she’d hidden so well before finally shone. “And great.”

Within a few minutes, each member of the party was wearing their own flower. The 8-Ts found them more interesting now that they wore plants, but otherwise took no actions as they made their way back to the tunnel and began their descent.

“Now for that energy field.” Dez stared at the flickering, purplish light. “Nothing to do but get down there and take a closer look.”

“Agreed.” Reath started the climb down, followed by the others. To his dismay, the 8-Ts whirred closer and started down the tunnel walls again.

Dez swore under his breath. “Looks like they’ll sacrifice a few flowers for the greater good.”

“By the greater good, you mean killing us.”

“That’s what they mean by it, I think.”

But Dez was wrong. The 8-Ts swarmed along the tunnel walls all the way down to the very edge of the lower ring, extended various tools—and then, in the next instant, the purplish light disappeared.

“The droids turned the energy field off for us,” Reath said in wonder. “To make sure we wouldn’t fry the plants!”

Dez actually waved at the 8-Ts. “Don’t worry,” he said, patting the planter that rested against his chest. “We’ll bring them back safe and sound.”