54
When they landed, no one was moving quickly. Lola checked the mission clock. They’d been out there for three hours hovering on station during the Coasties’ inspection, plus two hours in flight each way. Taking turns in flight didn’t relieve the stress or the toll it was taking on everyone’s patience.
They all sat around the debriefing table too frustrated to speak and too tired to care. They had to do something, if only she could think what.
Sergeant Kee was texting on her phone.
“How’s the kid?”
Kee looked at her, startled to be directly addressed. “Uh, she’s fine. She’s with Archie and his mother. They’re trying to work the shipping angle—seeing if they can spot a rogue ship or cargo.”
“She’s a bright kid.”
“Smarter than any of us.”
Lola heard the motherly bias but didn’t doub
