They moved, flanking the unsuspecting Bullets. Then she raised her voice, unleashing a tremendous battle cry. Fourteen Blades took up the call and rushed forward, using their advantage to tremendous effect. The Bullets were caught completely off guard, relinquishing immediate control of the battle to the Blades.

Caledonia’s blood sang as she fired her stolen gun into the crowd, then dove forward to slash her opponent across the ribs. Blood smeared across the steel of her blade, glinting in the grim orange light of that countdown. In the midst of it all, a comforting warmth spread through Caledonia’s limbs. This was where her footing was most secure, on the deck of a ship, in the midst of battle. She could see it unspooling around her as it had in her mind. This was the first wave. The second would come from behind.

Just as she thought it, gunshots ignited behind her as Bullets raced from belowdecks. The twenty Bullets before them had dwindled to half that number, but even so, they were a match for her own team. They were outnumbered, and now they were surrounded.

Where was Sledge?

He should have been here by now. For one heart-stopping moment, Caledonia feared that he’d been caught in the belly of the ship, his team quelled while Caledonia allowed her own to be flanked. She cleared the thought as soon as it landed. He was coming. They simply needed to hold their ground a little longer.

If she had her sisters—again, she cleared the thought.

“To me!” she called, raising her voice above the clamor. “Let them come to us,” she ground out, knowing their only chance now was to stick together, to form as dense and as vicious a knot as possible.

Pine found her at once, expression grim as he understood her orders. “To Caledonia!” he shouted.

The Blades did as commanded, maneuvering toward Caledonia to concentrate their efforts and protect their backs. But it was a temporary measure and one that wouldn’t last for long.

Bullets circled around them, raising guns and blades as they prepared to carve a path straight through the band of Blades.

The Blades were going to lose dearly in the next moment.

Then from the shore came an explosion. A missile burst on the nose of the ship, tossing a handful of Bullets to the ground. For a brief second, the fight stopped and all eyes turned to the darkened shore. Colonists. It could only be colonists.

Caledonia’s mind whirled. Either the colonists were fighting back or helping the Blades. Both were potentially dangerous. Especially if they damaged her ship before she had a chance to take it!

Before she could process that thought any further, a shout sounded from within the belly of the ship, climbing closer and closer until it spilled onto the deck. Bullets came first, followed by Blades. At the lead was Sledge, roaring and brilliant.