*
Trell looked equally skeptical and excited. “So we’re going to steal the November.”
“Yeah. General Toka just approved it as part of a larger, overall offensive that will in all likelihood bring an end to the occupation. I recorded the briefing, in case you wanted to be up to speed on everything, though the file is automatically set to destroy itself in the next hour so it doesn’t fall into the wrong hands,” Trell said, handing his PD over to Alana in the medical room.
“Do you have any idea who he’s going to select for the mission?” Ted asked.
“Well, this one isn’t going to be as small or top secret,” Trell said. “I think there’s a decent chance we’ll get left out of this one entirely.”
Ted let out a sigh of relief. For once, that was okay with him. He’d been through enough excitement and life-threatening situations to last the rest of his life. And he couldn’t bear the thought of losing someone else close to him, especially not so soon after Juiya’s death. It had been decided that the service, or whatever ceremony Koleans held to honor their dead, was going to have to wait until after the attack concluded. It made sense, but Ted wasn’t wild about putting off honor for his friend or closure for himself.
Alana, on the other hand, didn’t seem as relieved. “Look, I’d like a break too, but you, Ted, and I are the only three people in the entire fleet who can speak English. How the hell are they planning to fly that ship out of that compound?” It was a legitimate point.
“They’ll probably get resistance people for that,” Trell said. “They already know how to work the ships, and then Kenneth will probably take command of it.”
“They’ll need us,” Alana said stubbornly, trying to get up.
“And you’re still injured, Alana,” Trell said, his patience seemingly bottomless as he gently reached out and pushed her back down. “You’re not ready to be back in the field yet.”
With a groan, the Kolean woman complied.
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