Chae pressed open the doors to it. She peeled herself out of her jacket, hung it and her bag from a jag of metal, and shook out her tunic. Two rounded bucket seats faced the narrow console set beneath an arching screen and she willed herself to drop into the pilot chair. The console glowed under her deft touch, and the first rumble of the engines vibrated through the padding of her chair. Belatedly, she tugged the harness across her chest and secured it.Daned dropped into the chair beside her, rubbing a towel over his hair. “Two hours and fifteen minutes left. The ship looks secure. Nobody stowing away and no trackers. We’re clear to go.”She let out a short laugh. “We were going anyway.” She glanced at him. “I’m connecting to Arkhengai Tower. Strap in. And look pretty…pretty.”Daned’s mouth thinned. “And that is the last time you call me that.”Chae ran her hands over the comm. circuits, plugging in her flight plan. “You know, I don’t think it will be.” A burst of gray-white light shot over the screen and a quick flare of static noise cut back Daned’s reply.
