Enemy One (Epic Book 5) (89 page)

“Yeah, well. It’s my fault.” As she came to his side and stopped, he looked forward again. “I told them to open it. Guess I wanted everyone to feel the cold.”

“Mission accomplished, sir!” she said, teeth chattering together. Scooting a foot closer to him, she hip-bumped him. When he gave her an odd look, she said, “We’re totally gonna rock this tonight. You know that, right?”

It took a moment for Scott to realize that this was just the Valley Girl’s level of comfort with him. Though a hip-bump from Travis would have undoubtedly raised eyebrows, for some reason, it was okay when she did it. It felt like a Tiffany Feathers move. His wall of intensity cracked a bit as he offered a small smirk in return. “I know we’d better.”

“Yeah, we’re totally gonna rock it.” The blonde stared at her parked Superwolf for a moment before her gaze drifted to the other side of the hangar, where the canopy-less
Pariah
sat in abandonment. The eager expression on her faded.

Scott caught sight of all the subtleties that crossed Tiffany’s face. Even as new as she was to the unit, there was an attachment there to that cursed transport that he’d only seen before in Travis. The
Pariah
had a way of doing that to people. Nodding his head in the Vulture’s direction, he said, “She’ll fly again.”

“Yes, she will,” Tiffany whispered near-stoically. The
Pariah
had truly become hers. Releasing a long sigh, she looked back to the V2, then to Scott. That bubble-gum smile crept back out. “Let’s get ready to fly.”

“Let’s.” As Tiffany turned to resume her trek to the Superwolf, an urge came over Scott.
Shake her hand.
Considering the thought for a moment, Scott went with it and called out the pilot’s name. When she stopped and turned around, he approached her. “Take care of yourself out there. We want you back safe.” As the stirring had prompted, Scott extended his hand.

Raising an eyebrow and perhaps caught off guard by his seriousness, she reached out to take his hand and shake it. “I will, sir.” Scott offered a nod in return, releasing Tiffany’s hand as she turned to walk away.

Closing his eyes and lifting his head to the heavens, Scott slid his hands back into his pockets.
Bring her home safely. She’s already given more than most of us.
His hazel eyes returning to the V2, Scott waited for the rest of his team to arrive.

The wait wasn’t long. Within minutes, the other members of the ground op started to trickle in. Natalie was the first of them, followed by the six slayers on-lend from Valentin. Then came Becan, then Jayden and Esther, then the Falcons, Feliks, and Pyotr. With the exception of Natalie, who offered no salute and nary a greeting to Scott, the others all approached him to formally report for the operation’s onset. It was a striking level of formality to Scott, who’d grown used to the family-like atmosphere of the Fourteenth.

The final piece of the puzzle to arrive on-scene was Ju`bajai. The Ithini was flanked by Artur, and it was instantly apparent as to why. Covering Ju`bajai’s entire body was a skin-tight bodysuit. Cerulean hexagons were patterned over its otherwise stark, white base in subtly varying shades, masking an almost indistinguishable hidden zipper line running up the front of the outfit. Almost taken aback by the sight of it all, Scott found himself blatantly staring. As Ju`bajai stared back at him with her emotionless, oval eyes, Artur stepped forward. “Hello, Captain Remington.”

Even as he addressed the forge master, Scott found himself unable to tear his eyes away from Ju`bajai. As much as an Ithini could, she actually looked
stylish
. “Hello, Mister Pashkov…”

“I suppose this speaks for itself.”

“I am…still processing it. Did you make this entire thing yourself?”

Nodding with a sigh, Artur answered, “Yes, at the alien’s request. I used some of the unused materials in storage. I always have different things like that on hand.”

“She asked for
this
?”

The gruff forge master grunted. “Yes. It is not what I would call typical of what I do, but she was quite adamant. She wanted to look…” He pressed his lips together uncomfortably as he searched for words. “Accentuated.”

Scott raised an eyebrow. “
Accentuated
was the word she used?”

“The word she actually used was
sexy
.”

Oh, boy.

“So you see,” Artur said, gesturing to Ju`bajai’s suit, “I took careful steps to heighten her femininity and form. Ithinis do not really have, ehh,” wincing, he formed a “boobs” gesture with his hands, “so I could only do so much with her, there. Honestly, I don’t want to think about it.”

Neither did Scott.

“But it works for her. She is happy. I think.” He pointed to Ju`bajai’s chest. “This material is Kevlar spandex, not too different from what you might find with someone in the Olympics. The problem with her is that she is not very physically strong, so she cannot support very much weight. This means true armor is impossible. And though I tried to make something for her head, she did
not
like the idea of that.”

In other words, she threw a fit.

“So this is the best I could do.” As if happening upon a realization, he touched Ju`bajai on the shoulder and turned her around. “There is also this, here,” said the forge master as he pointed. There, on the back of the Ithini’s collar, the number “14” was etched into the fabric.

And that was what did it. Genuinely surprised, Scott stared wordlessly at the number.
She’s one of us. Ju`bajai is really
one of us
. Deep beneath his human exterior, a small wave of pride swelled. Of all the unexpectedness that had accompanied Ju`bajai’s little makeover, it was that little number that meant the most. The Ithini was a part of their team. Unsure of what exactly to say, Scott rubbed the back of his neck and released a soft chuckle.

“Is that acceptable?” Artur asked.

To Scott, it was. But Scott’s opinion wasn’t what mattered. “Is it acceptable to
her
?”

Ju`bajai angled her head toward him. The mental pathway opened, and the Ithini responded.
It is what I requested.

What
she
requested? Wow…

“I believe so,” answered Artur, oblivious to the mental exchange that took place.

“In that case, I like it.” How could Scott not? If Ju`bajai’s desire was truly just to be included—if this was what she’d chosen with her newfound freedom—it would be foolish for Scott to complain. He would gladly accept her. “Welcome to the Fourteenth, Ju`bajai.” As expected, the alien offered no visible response. Motioning toward the V2, Scott said, “Go on aboard, then.” With the faintest tilt of the head, Ju`bajai acknowledged the order. Sliding past Scott, the Ithini made her way toward the indicated transport.

Crossing his arms, Artur watched as the alien walked away. “You are quite a unique team.”

That didn’t cover half of it. Patting the forge master on the shoulder without looking, Scott simply said, “Thank you, Pashkov.” He wasn’t sure where else to go with all this. Stepping away, Scott made his way toward the V2 in Ju`bajai’s wake.

At the front of the V2’s troop bay, Esther was checking over her weapons and equipment. With a pistol in each tactical gear holster and an assault rifle over her shoulder, just in case, the big challenge for the scout became finding places to hold ammunition. With train security expected to be heavy, and after everyone’s experience in Krasnoyarsk, there became no such thing as too much ammo. Next to Esther and checking over his sniper rifle was Jayden. The Briton and Texan were almost synchronized in the speed of their preparation. Like they were one in the same.

“I have M-19 ammo I can’t carry,” Esther said, holding it up for Jayden to take. “Do you need it?”

The Texan didn’t answer.

“Jay, do you—” Looking in Jayden’s direction, the scout’s brown eyes blinked. Everyone in the troop bay was gone. Jayden, the operatives around him, Valentin’s slayers. They’d all vanished without a trace. As her senses of clarity and familiarity sunk in, Esther went still. Even without looking, she could feel a presence behind her—in the direction of the V2’s open rear bay door. Though she turned in its direction, there was scarcely the need. The scout knew who she was going to find.

There, standing alone on the ramp with her arms crossed and with a satisfied smile, was Ju`bajai’s ponytailed construct of Esther, clad in the same hexagonally-patterned bodysuit she’d worn while entering the hangar. Esther watched as the construct uncrossed her arms and strolled toward her. “Oh, Esther. We’ve been on quite a journey, haven’t we?”

With narrowed eyes and her breath almost held, Esther managed to ask, “What do you want?”

Ju`bajai halted her approach at the question. “We haven’t spoken since your marriage—and congratulations, by the way. I thought it only proper to give you and the hubs a little time to yourselves.”

“How incredibly gracious.”

“Now, now,” said Ju`bajai, holding up her palm. “I’m not here to fight. Quite the contrary. I’d like to thank you, Esther.” Ever so faintly, Esther angled her head. “I am happier than I’ve been in a very long time. Long before
Cairo
, even before I was taken captive by the Khuladi. For the first time in many, many years, I’m a part of something because I choose to be.” Stepping forward again, she drew close enough to angle her body away from Esther and point to the “14” on the back of her collar. “Look at that, ey? Not too shabby, if I may say. Artur is quite the seamstress.”

Voice totally flat, Esther said, “So you’ve got a ‘14’ etched on your back and suddenly you’re part of the team? Is that how this works?”

The construct’s eyes met Esther’s, where they lingered. Ju`bajai’s joyous expression faded. “I can tell you’re upset. For what it’s worth, I’m sorry you had to go through what you went through.”

“
Had
to go? Do you even hear yourself?”

Ju’bajai looked down and sighed. “Esther, please understand.”

“It’s
you
who needs to understand!” said Esther, raising her voice for the first time as she pointed. “Do you really think you can waltz back in here and undo everything you did to me? That you can sprinkle your mental fairy dust and suddenly all is forgiven?”

“I consider you my friend, Esther.”

The scout’s jaw hardened. “I consider you my mortal enemy.”

Again, silence fell between them, until Ju`bajai released a long, drawn out sigh. “That makes me sad. I wish I could change your mind. Honestly, I mean.” For a moment, the alien paused. “But I suppose one reaps what they sew.”

“Yes, they do.”

Ju`bajai’s eyes lingered on Esther after the scout’s answer. They squinted with intent. “Spoken like a woman who has sewn much.” Though Esther stared back, she offered no reply. Smiling crookedly, the construct said, “There will be a time when you need me, Molly Polyester. I just want you to know that when that time comes, I will be there for you, as you were there for me. Thank you, Esther, with sincerity.” She raised a simple hand of farewell. “Until we speak again.”

Pressing her palms against her eyes in frustration, Esther growled. “Why do you have to make every sodding thing so
vecking
—”

“I’ll take it,” Jayden said.

Lowering her hands from her face, Esther blinked at the sound of his voice. The Texan’s hand was extended with expectation, as all around him, the operatives in the troop bay continued their gear-up. The silence of her connection with Ju`bajai was replaced by the sounds of lockers opening and weapons being handled. For a moment, she didn’t know what to do.

Jayden stopped what he was doing and looked at her. “You gonna give it to me or not, babe?”

“Uh.” Snapping out of it, Esther looked at her hand, where she was still holding the M-19 magazine she’d extended to Jayden prior to the construct. Instinct kicked in, and she held it out again for him.

As soon as Jayden took it, he eyed her with his good eye. “You all right?”

Esther’s focus drifted over Jayden’s shoulder, where she caught sight of Ju`bajai at the far end of the troop bay, standing in the midst of the organized chaos around her. The Ithini’s opaque, oval eyes were fixed right back on her. For a moment, the scout’s mouth hung open. “Yes,” she said finally. “Yes, I’m fine. Just caught a little dizzy spell.”

Looking at her with concern, Jayden said, “Do you need to—”

“I’m fine.” A smile was offered to compensate for the abruptness of the interruption. “I mean it. I’m fine.” Readjusting her E-35, she snagged onto a support rail. “Just ready for this bird to fly.”

“I hear you, there,” the Texan said, his attention returning to prepping his equipment.

Trotting up the V2’s rear ramp, Scott scanned the activity in the troop bay. Everyone was gearing up. Everyone was readying themselves. This was truly it. Making his way through the crowd, Scott shouted, “Get ready, people! We’re about to kick this thing off!” Snagging Javon on the shoulder as he passed him, Scott said, “You ready for this, man?”

The black soldier smiled and hit Scott’s fist with his. “We got this, captain.”

Craning his neck past Javon to see Tom behind him, Scott addressed the shorter, feistier soldier. “Tom King! You ready?”

The look Tom gave Scott was striking in its sternness. “I’m ready,” he said quietly.

Nodding his head, Scott gave Javon a look as soon as Tom’s focus left him. “He’s gonna be all right?”

“Yeah, man,” answered Javon, his voice lowered. “He’s gonna be all right.”

If Javon said it, Scott believed it. Offering the soldier a final pat on the shoulder, Scott continued past him toward the cockpit. All the while he slid through the crowd, he made eye contact with the soldiers he passed. Feliks and Pyotr. Becan. Jayden and Esther. Lilan, Natalie. The six slayers on-lend from Valentin. He was searching for that look in their eyes that would tell him they were ready. He was looking for their game faces. It was present in each and every one of them.

Stepping through the cockpit door, Scott lowered into the copilot’s seat. Looking at Jakob, Scott asked, “You ready for this, man?”

“Ja, captain,” the German answered. “Ready to go.”