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Through there and deeper in the zone, they’d hidden several crates. The stillness was making her nervous, so she quickened her step, not pausing until she opened the supply-room doors. Rubbish and empty containers were piled up in front, disguising the treasures hidden deeper within.
    â€œGrab as much as you can carry,” Dred said.
    The hover dolly would’ve made this job easier, but it also would’ve been harder to maneuver, and it would’ve invited notice. Better to use manual labor and get it done the old-fashioned way. She and Tam scrutinized the supplies while Martine perched atop a box, reclining like a cat.
    â€œFood first,” Tam suggested.
    â€œThat’s a genius idea.” Martine was smirking. “Are you sure nuts and bolts aren’t more important? If this death trap falls apart, we’ll choke faster than we starve.”
    His dark eyes flashed at her. Dred left them bickering amicably as she prowled through the salvage. Once she designated the crates that needed to be moved right away, Jael piled four boxes in his arms, and she pretended she didn’t realize he was showing off. She and Martine took two each, as did Tam.
    â€œRC-17 can scout for us on the way back,” Tam said.
    â€œAgreed.” She deployed the bot and let it scurry around corners.
    It was programmed to beep in sequence, then speak an alert message if it encountered other life-forms. In here, it was best to assume they were hostile and respond accordingly. She moved cautiously behind the bot while they retraced their steps.
    â€œHard to believe this place was full of people, not that long ago,” Martine said.
    â€œLife is change.” Jael wore his customary insouciant expression, the one that suggested he had no deeper feelings.
    That look was a liar.
    Dred drew him aside while Tam and Martine argued over the next supply priority. “What’s on your mind?”
    â€œNothing, queenie. What makes you think otherwise?” The flat tone gave away more than he intended.
    I know you better than that now.
    â€œDon’t lie to me,” she said.
    He pushed out a breath, his blue eyes unusually dark. “I’m thinking about Einar, all right? He was a bastard and a murderer or he wouldn’t have been here, but I’ve not had so many friends in my life that I can just shrug him off.”
    â€œI know what you mean.” She wanted to put a hand on his arm or run her fingers through his hair. That longing became a spike in her chest, but she didn’t act on it. “I feel like I let him down.”
    â€œMe too,” he whispered.
    Before she could respond, Jael whirled in response to the RC-17 unit’s beeping wildly. “Organics detected. Unauthorized personnel.”
    â€œBoxes down,” Dred ordered. “Looks like we get to fight.”
    Martine dropped her burden and popped her neck on each side. “And to think I was afraid this would be boring.”
    â€œSince when?” Jael asked. “There’s always the threat of imminent violence. That’s why we vacation here.”
    Please don’t let them be mercs. We’re not ready to take on an armored unit.
    Dred felt naked without her chains, but she swung around the corner with a blade in each hand. She was relieved to see four of Silence’s killers, even odds. These men were dressed in black from head to toe, blood-whorl patterns on their forearms and their faces made up like skulls. Possibly they had broken off from the larger group and been sent on some dark errand.
    A hunting party. Time to make them prey.
    Like all of Silence’s crew, this lot didn’t speak. There were no growls of rage, no threats; the enemies just readied their weapons. Each one of them faced off against an opponent, though Dred knew from prior experience that Jael could’ve taken all four by himself. But she didn’t like revealing his inhuman prowess, even to her inner circle. If