Chapter 52

Chapter Fifty-Two

Connor was still dangling in the gloom, clutching Rudy and the cargo netting, when the rumble of the Lucky Sevens’s engines grew louder. It climbed, hauling them up above the site where his teammates had held out against impossible odds.

A lone light remained atop the arc of cargo containers they’d left behind. Forms darted around in that light, legs swiping.

Then the light went out, and he was inside the cargo bay airlock.

The outer door closed, and Rudy crawled out to the cargo bay, gasping and leaving a trail of blood. He glanced back at Connor, and in that moment there was no longer a history of two men who’d fought on opposite sides years ago.

There was only the acceptance of warriors that what they had just seen was bad.

Real bad.

Lem rushed to the sergeant’s side, took his arm, and led him out of the cargo bay. Drew sped after them, lending a hand once on the ramp.