Page 58 of Fire Forged

Britt hesitated.She wasn’t about to agree to make anything unless she knew the size of the wearer.“Who’s Ollie?”

“My stuffed elephant.”

“Oh, sure.”Britt laughed.“We can make clothes for all your toys.”There was bound to be patterns in the archives for Earth, and if not, she had no doubt that Ziot could source them for her.“Let’s start by choosing colorful wools and crochet needles.”

The wool was easy with the balls forming on the replicator like gigantic jelly beans.The needles, not so much.The replicator beeped every time she placed an order.

Ziot lowered his fork and rose.“It thinks it is a weapon.”He typed in something, then boom, the needles appeared—the kind with the soft grip.

“Thanks,” she said, snatching up the two needles.

Not that he heard.He sat again and lifted his fork for another mouthful.

She ordered a variety of marbles and two little bags.Stacking the wool and needles beside the data cubes on the shelf, she sank onto the bench to divvy up the marbles.She cast glances at the blue mat.They could take turns trying to get the marbles as close to a data cube as possible without knocking it off its spot.That could be fun, right?”

She nibbled her lip, explained her idea to Lily, who squealed and danced around the table, shaking her marble bag.

After every throw, Britta glanced in the direction of the communications room.More so when Ziot was summoned.

Lily screamed, “I won.”

Britt grimaced.She couldn’t recall a moment.Her inability to focus wasn’t fair to Lily.

“Well done, squirt.Wanna grab a snack and head to the treehouse?We need to plan Ollie’s wardrobe.”

With a packet of crisps and a soda each, the crochet needles shoved in Britt’s back pocket, and the balls of wool tucked under her arms, they headed down the passage.

“Regent Haiz is unavailable?”Nerx asked, his voice harsh.

“Yes, Supreme Commander.I am Primary Tarni, in charge for now.Regent Haiz and a unit of four warriors took ayarvatoBronvolunder the pretense of negotiations.Some hours have passed, and we have yet to hear from her.”

“Do you suspect foul play?”an operative asked.

“Of course.Rebels cannot be trusted when they’ve tossed aside their vows like petals in a breeze.”Primary Tarni huffed.

“Do you require assistance?”Nerx asked.“My operatives can rescue your warriors and my people.”

She pinched her lips.“My thanks for the offer.I will consult our strategists and revert.”

“Alodon’s balls,” Ziot snapped, “I say we port across regardless.We’ve given them enough chance—”

“Britt?”Lily’s puzzled voice snapped Britt out of her daze.

“Up the ladder you go, sweet pea,” she hurried to say, then ushered Lily through the bulkhead.She tossed the wool up, unable to climb with her hands and armpits full.She didn’t dare glance into the communications room, not wanting to be caught eavesdropping.

As Lily settled on the blanket, Britt dumped everything on the bench and grabbed her tablet.“Just going to get the patterns.Will you be fine alone for a few minutes?”

“Yup,” Lily said, her hand in the crisp packet and her mouth stuffed.

Determined to be better disciplined, Britt managed to slink past the crowded communications room without listening in.Finding crochet patterns for toy clothing didn’t take her long.She hurried back.

“Sena will retrieve Aldur while Karg collects Lady Dahlia.Ronin, Trav, Eriz, back him up and find the Viqrian warriors.Do not be heroic.A Dar Eth is in danger, but I need you all to live.”Nerx grumbled something Britt couldn’t catch.“Ziot has transferred to your O.D.I.the location of all the targets, but if something happens, then get Ziot access to their systems.Again, I reiterate, get in and out.”

Britt clambered up the ladder, swelling her lungs until she exhaled long and hard.“Pants won’t work, not on a four-legged animal.”

“Ollie doesn’t have four legs,” Lily scoffed.

“He doesn’t?”Britt tapped her chin as if in deep thought.“You better get him then.We need to measure him.”

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