The Starlight Lancer

Chapter 133: Thunderous Silence

"The worst part is the waiting, you know?"

—Allegiant Militarium Infantryman Polus Iliatie, recounted in the memoirs of fellow Infantryman Wemra DuMariit, The Fog of War

A welcome sight waited when they finally trekked back to the landing zone—Reida had already gotten their ship out of her cargo hold. Zaina breathed a sigh of relief.

It's all going to be over soon.

Smiling, Reida waved to greet them and ran over. "So, what's the news?"

"We might be waiting until tomorrow," Zaina said.

Reida's smile fell. "Is that so? I was hoping we'd be quicker than that."

"Your Captain bothering you?"

Reida shrugged. "She gave me a bit of extra time when I explained the situation."

Zaina's eyes narrowed—that didn't seem right. She'd only met Captain Danjai once, and that woman didn't seem the type to give Reida extra leisure time. "Well, that's nice. So you'll be staying with us, then?"

"That's right—if you'll have me. You know, to be honest," Reida said, "whatever journey it is you've got going on, I want to help see it through."

"Awfully charitable of you," Kazlo said in a low voice.

Reida rolled her eyes. "You aren't even a target anymore, dude. Captain Danjai found another hacker. She doesn't give a shit about you."

His eyes glowed. "You mean—"

"Yes. I don't need you anymore. And I don't see the point in wasting a bead at this juncture. So, as far as you're concerned with my captain and my crew, you're square."

He put a hand on his chest and released a deep breath. "That's a relief. Thank you."

"Don't thank me yet," she said. "Now, what's going on with this delay?"

Zaina answered, "We need to reach a specific set of coordinates to access Gizmo's next lock, but right now the Clan is holding a ritual there."

Reida shrugged. "Why not interrupt? Your time is valuable, too."

"We can't do that," Zaina hissed. "That would be rude, and besides—they'd probably kick us out."

"If you get the coordinates, who cares what they do?"

Zaina shook her head. "We're not doing this your way."

"All right," Reida said, not seeming bothered at all. "You guys hungry?"

"I could eat," Kazlo said.

Zaina was a bit peckish, but she didn't want to eat—food made her sleepy. Her lancer body required neither food nor sleep, and she definitely didn't want to sleep tonight in case Reida tried to pull something. "I'm fine."

"You haven't eaten all day," Reida remarked. "What, do you lancers feed on sunlight?"

"We're not plants."

"Well, come on with. I guess you can watch us eat."

Zaina shrugged. That was exactly what she wanted—she didn't trust Reida's sudden shift in goals. In fact, that only made it seem like whatever scheme she was pulling would come to fruition soon. Otherwise, why would she be throwing them off her trail? Suddenly, they didn't want Kazlo, but Reida wanted to stick around—something was off.

They made their way to the food pantry, where Reida pulled out two nutria-bars for herself and Kazlo. She offered one to Zaina again and was once more declined.