The Paragon

Chapter Nineteen

"The Jasmina can't fly all the way to Kennett," Phoenix was explaining as Eli, Casp, and I followed him down the narrow metal walkways. We were on the lower levels of the ship, and somehow things were even more cramped down here than above. "We'll be flying the rest of the distance in on the shuttle while the Jasmina maintains this distance for safety."

"How's the shuttle getting in?" Eli asked. "Sure, it's smaller, but they're still going to see us, and I don't know any Imperial controlled city that lets ships fly in unchecked."

"We have transit codes," Phoenix said. "They're legitimate, courtesy of the Association, and should have no problem getting us into the city."

"You'll also have your own false IDTs, and we'll be under disguise as a merchant shuttle," came a voice from down the hall. Stepping out of a door down there, I saw a dark-haired, tall woman. I recognized her as a Redcloak who I'd see on the ship, but I'd never been formally introduced to her. She had her arms folded across her chest and gave Phoenix a raised eyebrow. "We're not relying purely on the code; it won't do any good once we're in the city."

"I was getting to that," Phoenix replied, sounding a little offended and annoyed. The woman ignored him and stepped past him as we all came to a stop. She stood in front of me, holding out her hand.

"An honor to finally meet you, Paragon," she greeted when I took her hand in mine to shake. She gave a slight bow of her head when she spoke. "Technician Cora Hathaway, your covert operations specialist for this trip." She offered nods to Eli and Casp too. "I hope you don't mind if we drop the honorifics now, since we won't be using them much during the trip."

"Nothing would make me happier," I said. I heard a chuckle from Eli's direction.

"All the cargo is loaded up," came another unfamiliar voice. A second woman appeared from within the shuttle bay. She was a bit shorter than Cora, but somehow more imposing, her greeting to the group a curt nod. "Guardian Tabitha Michaels," she said to me. "I'll be watching your back."

"I thought that was Phoenix's job," I asked as we followed the two Redcloaks into the shuttle bay. The small transport shuttle was currently sat with both wing doors open, and inside I could see several secured crates.

"Do you think we'd only send you down there with one person meant to protect you?" Tabitha said. "In fact, all of us are meant to protect you."

"That's something we should address seriously right now, in fact," Cora said as she leaned up against the shuttle. "Imogen, this trip is a diplomatic one; the intent is for you to make contact with the Association and get a formal recognition of their support of you and the Redcloaks in the approaching rebellion. The hope is that there's no fighting."

"Right," I said, feeling a knot of nervousness grow in my chest.

"But if things do go badly, in whatever way, all priority is on getting you out of there alive," Tabitha continued. She stood with both feet solidly planted on the ground, her arms firmly held behind her back. As a guardian, she was one of the most disciplined soldiers in the Redcloaks—it shouldn't be surprising how she held herself, but it was a bit nerve-inducing. "Any of us are replaceable, but if you die the whole mission and the upcoming rebellion are a failure."

I felt a surge of annoyance flood through the nervousness. "No one here is replaceable," I replied. Instinctually, I felt myself protectively standing in front of my brother. I didn't like the idea of him having to do anything to protect me; I'd always protected him, not the other way around.

"Like I said, that's a worst-case scenario," Tabitha assured me. She didn't seem at all intimidated by my reaction. "And no one is going to throw their lives away for anything less than protecting you. Understood?" That last part she directed to the whole group, who nodded solemnly. "The plan is an overnight stay, then back to the Jasmina by tomorrow night. Any changes to that plan are under the Paragon's jurisdiction." I shook my head subtly, disliking the idea that more was up to me again.