Chapter 55

Nessa gripped the steering and leaned forward in a way that reminded Relda of Raylay. Relda grinned down at him.

"She's like me," he whispered through gnashed teeth.

"Are your transports--? Nessa inquired.

"Back at the Dialorian home ship," Annika affirmed.

Relda stood upright and gathered her garment.

"Who's going with whom?" Darrion asked.

"I--" Relda started.

"We're not just taking the whole ship?" Ozla wanted to know.

Relda and Raylay exchanged excited glances. They both shrugged.

"She's got a point," Raylay admitted. "We can't squish twenty-eight creatures into our transports."

Relda spent a moment pondering and calculating.

"Let's go," she said.

She sauntered past the children, and paused while staring straight ahead.

"We're taking the enemy home ship."

"How?" Anya said.

All of the children scurried in a bunch behind Relda.

"Do you know the start-up codes?" Brade questioned.

"Start-up codes?" Relda echoed.