1.26.2

Rapid Deployment

The team shook out their jitters while they assembled before the cargo bay ramp to dismount. The Aldebaran swung into place at the parking docks on Tetris’s surface.

Tenya stretched upon her toes and smiled to herself.

“Isn’t it at least a little funny that the S.O. developed energy weapons to target Channelers and Astrid can straight up deflect them?”

“Not well.” Dell passed a pouch of fresh batteries to Astrid.

“Or with any kind of aim,” Romo added while he, once again, checked that he’d equipped his rifle, pistol, and side blade.

Astrid clipped in her new bag and settled it toward the front of her hip and out of her way.

“And that was a special case,” she contributed. “I was in extreme duress and have no interest in repeating it. I wouldn’t bet on any other Channelers necessarily managing, either.”

And Astrid definitely didn’t want to imagine what would happen to any Channeler should they get hit with such a weapon.

“Okay, but you’re missing the irony!” Tenya impressed. “All that work and expense when a ballistic gun is actually more likely to do any real damage to her?”

“Let’s not test it for comparison.” Anders scowled. “Got it, Astrid?”

“I’ll do my best…”

“Besides,” Romo added in afterthought, “now that we know Channelers could, in theory, deflect it, I’d love to see the S.O. sink all their resources into a failed project for as long as possible before they figure it out.”

The cargo floor finally split and extended downward, and the troupe traipsed into the warm light of the settlement.

“Setting out, Captain,” Anders notified through his comm. “Preparing to meet our escorts on the other side of the market.”

“Proceed, Lieutenant.”

Unlike their first visit, their overt display of armor and guns parted the crowds before them. An element of urgency kept them at a quick pace as they wished to avoid tipping their quarry to their presence. And they already knew spies loomed in the crowd.

It took little time to locate the meeting point just outside the far end of the markets, and even less to spot Jenna, glittering in the sun.

“See, I knew you couldn’t stay away,” Jenna purred when she came to meet them. Behind her, six others in matching emblems toiled around a caravan of three ground vehicles, each loaded with supplies.

One of the men came to shake the lieutenant’s hand while Jenna introduced them.

“This is Sid,” she gestured to the tall, balding, mercenary at her side. “He’s higher up the chain than I. I’m here as a courtesy.”

“We thought you’d want to deal with the devil you know,” Sid cut in. “As it were. But I represent the interests of the Tetrians in this deal.”

“We thank you for your help,” Anders shook the man’s hand.

“We are getting paid, yes?”

“Three times what your previous clients offered. It’s all set up. Plus, a tidy bonus if you help us manage the perimeter once we’re inside.”

“How big a bonus?” The Tetrian haggled.

“Enough to keep any rival gangs from being able to step up for years.”

“That’s a lot of taxpayer money you’re tossing on the table,” Sid peered.

“You have a problem with that?”

Sid’s eyes scanned his people, and the town behind them, before he answered. “Nope. Let’s get moving.”

Jenna gestured with a long finger that the team should follow her to the caravan.

“We usually make deliveries with between ten and twelve men, so this will look normal until we’re on top of them.”

“And the shipment?” Tenya eyed the loaded boxes with apprehension.

“Our own gear, not theirs.” Jenna beamed as if delighted with her own brilliance. “Grenades, snipers. Enough for us to keep them on their toes while you do what you need to.”

“Sounds like we’re ready to move,” Anders assessed.

“Yup.” The woman’s eyes twinkled. “But you owe me one, Andy.”

The crew climbed onto the vehicles and settled in for the ride.

Astrid felt distrustful eyes on the team from the mercenaries. She met Tenya’s gaze to share in the awkward dichotomy.

The chief tossed a shrug but plopped herself next to the Channeler, likely, Astrid assumed, to make it easier to cover one another. Romo and Dell, too, stayed at each other’s side. Anders took position at the head, with Jenna and Sid, to coordinate.

The Tetrians led the caravan away from the town center, through the developing colony, and out into open tundra.

“There’s no cover out here,” Jenna told Anders at the front of the envoy. “You know that, right?”

“This isn’t so much about being sneaky. Not this time,” he replied.

“Hm, a shift in tactic. So, go in guns blazing?”

“Yup.”

“See. I told you we have things in common.” Jenna nudged the lieutenant with her shoulder.

Beside Astrid, Tenya rolled her eyes. Astrid grew increasingly tired of the woman’s antics herself, but with an uncomfortable squirm, she questioned her irritation.

Brazen and obnoxious people crossed her path before. But neither Terrell nor Rue agitated her as much as this woman that toyed with Anders.

While Jenna jawed away, the other hirelings kept to themselves. Astrid, Tenya, Romo, and Dell, were left to trade glances while sparse scenery rolled past.

They were given a two-minute warning before they encroached into new territory. Ahead, nestled against a jutting ledge of stone, an artificial structure cut a faintly inorganic shape against the backdrop.

For Astrid, it was difficult to discern what was rock and what wasn’t, but Tenya and Romo tensed, their own perception sharper.

“We’ll get you to the front door, then fall back to watch your border,” Sid assured.

“How can we be sure you’ll stick around?” Romo called from behind.

Annoyed, Sid frowned, but then shrugged in his armor. “We’ll send Jenna in with you.”

“Great,” Tenya muttered under her breath.

“If you help pick ‘em off from outside, we’d appreciate it,” Anders replied. “We don’t plan on letting any get away. There’s probably ships parked somewhere for evac. Think you can keep them grounded?”

“Maybe,” Sid answered. “But a better defense is making sure they don’t get that far. I hope you’re as good as you think you are.”

When they drew closer, Anders instructed the team to obscure themselves behind the boxes and crates. They tucked themselves in, and without slowing their cantor a smidge, the Tetrians drove them right up to front of the carved outlook.

Masking material shrouded the entrance and blended the colors into a nondescript taupe. Astrid held her breath when an unknown voice called from the distance.

“That’s close enough. We’ll meet you to unload.”

“You heard the man,” Sid called to his men at the gatekeeper’s instruction. “Unload!”

In smooth twists of the body, Romo and Anders were the first to rise and take stance.

All around them, the Tetrians too, pulled their weapons to position.

Aimed not at the guards taking vigil ahead, but at the Aldebaran crew.