Chapter 112

Chapter One Hundred Twelve

Connor set the bag with his belongings in the bench behind Yemi’s seat, then buckled it into place with the loud clap of the harness lock. That felt like saying goodbye to a part of the self, like accepting death.

A shiver ran down Connor’s back. Was he doing that with this mission?

All the belongings of the others were secured to hooks or to each other. Everything of value had been stripped from the Lucky Sevens, until there wasn’t much space left in the Badger beyond a narrow central walkway.

Yemi turned, nose crinkled. “Connor brings dirty laundry.”

“It’s either pack that, or print out new clothes on the other ship.” Bringing up how strained the Hudijin would be carrying all of them would unnecessarily hurt morale, so Connor didn’t.

“Yemi prints out new clothes: shorts and T-shirts. Yemi celebrates big party.” The mechanic laughed, but he looked drained.

“I talked to Lem. You need to give that leg a rest, okay?”

“Yemi drives Badger with hands.”