Chapter 23: Possession
Cole tracked the sun’s descent through the shuttle windows. The increasing cloud cover meant maybe half an hour of useful daylight left. Perfect time for those things.
“And to think I’d believed myself prepared for further absurdity.” Elina gave an awkward laugh, pointing at Cole’s helmet. “I had thought your helm an oddity in itself, but… what am I to make of that?”
Cole smirked. “We call ‘em NODs. Lets us uh…” he paused. The ENVG-B sitting on top of his head could do a hell of a lot more than night vision, but explaining thermal overlays to someone who’d probably just learned of electricity seemed counterproductive. “Lets us see in the dark. We may need them if the fighting spills into the forest.”
“Reckon so – Kidry’s sittin’ right next to the forest, after all,” Miles said from the driver’s seat. “Should be comin’ up on it right now, just past this rise.”
Miles slowed down their shuttle. Behind them, hooves crunched to a halt as the relief force reined in their mounts. Cole grabbed his rifle and stepped down from the shuttle, checking that his gear was properly secured.
The lieutenant commanding the riders dismounted and crossed to their position.
“Sir Cole,” the man saluted. “Lieutenant Malcord, at your service.”
“Lieutenant.” Cole returned the salute. “Keep your men here until we know what we’re dealing with.”
“Understood, sir.”