Nalea stood under the tree, hidden by low branches, as the helicopter lifted from the ground. The night air, even with its metallic hints of machinery and petroleum, strengthened her. Freedom. It’d been so long that she’d nearly forgotten the smell of fresh air. Closing her eyes, she inhaled deeply. Then she remembered the weight around her neck, and the air grew stifling and dull.

Every second she wore it, the disjunctor around her neck grew heavier. Why hadn’t Otas killed her yet? What was he waiting for?

“Can we remove the collar without it detonating?” Apolo asked.

She jumped, not realizing he’d approached. She shook her head. “Otas is wearing the detonator. If he’s killed, it goes off. He can set it off manually too.”

“Suvaste,” Apolo muttered before turning back to the helicopter. He rummaged through a crate of gear and returned with a black vest. “We’ll get that thing off you back at the base. In the meantime, try this,” he said.

She frowned. “What is it?”

“A bullet-proof vest. I don’t like you still being at risk, but it makes you safer to be around others. Cover that thing with the vest, and if it discharges, the vest should catch most of the charge.”

Apolo helped her fasten the straps. “Now, we need to head back to the base and regroup.”

When she opened her mouth to object, he cut her off with a wave of his hand. “Before you even think you’re not coming back because of that thing around your neck, let me tell you this: if you don’t get on that helicopter, I’ll have you arrested and carried on board if I have to.”

With a scowl, she snapped around and headed toward the helicopter. As they walked, a human soldier from her past jogged up to them. “Good to see you, Nalea,” Ace said before turning to Apolo. “It looks like a contingent of Draeken has holed up within the central communications room.”

Apolo didn’t seem surprised. “Our target is there. With a force barrier in place, we may not be able to get to him, but at least he can’t get out. We need to lock up any escape routes, and we need to do it now. I want you to take point. I’ll apprise Sommers.”

Ace nodded before taking off into woods, disappearing within feet of entering the darkness.

Nalea climbed on board, grabbing the closest seat. Bente lifted himself with his good arm and took the seat next to her. “The bastard said you were dead.”

Nalea glanced up, knowing Bente was referring to Roden. Had Roden thought she was dead? Presumptive fregee. She shot a hard look at her friend. “Do I look dead to you?”

Bente belted out a chuckle. “Gods, it’s good to have you back.” Then his features hardened. “Wow, of everyone in the universe…”

Nalea sighed, leaning her head against the seat. “Tell me about it.”

“Suvaste,” he muttered.

From outside the plane, Apolo gave several more commands before climbing on board and strapping himself into the seat across from Nalea. Several bags of gear lay on the floor of the helicopter between them.

She frowned, still trying to figure out why Apolo wasn’t trying to kill the second most hated Draeken of the Noble War. Apolo had pursued Roden relentlessly over the years and vice versa. They were stout enemies, each a major player in the Noble War. Yet they’d come against Otas, working side by side.

“How do you know Roden?” she called out over the jolting roar of the engines as they lifted from the ground.

Apolo’s eyes narrowed only slightly. “I don’t know Roden, but I know Kreed. And that Draeken is Kreed.”