Pine studied her as though seeing her for the first time, or as though he’d just learned the first true thing about her. His lips hinted at a smile without committing fully. Then he nodded, tucked that true thing away, and asked, “I thought you were made for fighting back? What you’re talking about sounds a lot like running.”

“We fight for each other,” she said. “You help me get that ship, and I’ll fight like hell to get your people through the Net.”

The sun was reaching for the horizon, its light burning against charred tree trunks. It seemed days ago that she and Triple had climbed to the top of that lookout and gazed over the bleached soil of the north. This morning she had sat perched on the edge of an illusion. And now it was shattered around her feet.

“She’s right.” Pine stepped toward Sledge. “We can’t stay here.”

A quiet, intense look passed between the two of them. It was a look flooded with meaning Caledonia couldn’t decipher, and so private she nearly looked away.

Finally, Pine added, “She’s the best chance we have right now.”

Caledonia’s eyes widened in surprise. If anything, she expected the events of this morning would have locked her in the cold embrace of Pine’s distrust, yet here he was speaking in her favor. It was easily the last thing she’d expected of him, but now wasn’t the time to question such a gift.

“What about the colonists?” Sledge asked. “What if we do this and the Damned Athair sends another attack like this one? What happens to them then?”

Even after the colonists’ demands, Sledge still cared about them. Enough to consider how his actions might impact them in the future. If the colonists knew what an ally they were losing in this boy, they might have thought twice before evicting him. It was one more twist in the tragedy unfolding here.

“If it’s me those Bullets are flushing out, then this won’t be the last attack no matter what we do.” Caledonia had to search for an echo of the compassion Sledge felt for the colonists. “Now that the colonists have seen you, we’re a danger to them whether we stay or go. At least if we go, they can’t be abused for neglecting to turn you in.”

Silence fell between them as Sledge considered her words. He lifted his chin and regarded her through cat-narrowed eyes for a long minute. Then, finally, he spoke.

“All right, Caledonia,” he said. “Let’s take that ship.”

Chapter Nine

CHAPTER NINE

The ship sat in the glittering bay, an orange holo projected into the sky and counting down the minutes beneath the barest sliver of a new moon.