Page 45 of Solar Bound
"Not intentionally," Gary protested. "But our stealth systems were, shall we say, somewhat compromised by the emergency repairs."
Solar processed this new information. "How long until they reach us?"
"Twenty Earth minutes, perhaps less," Bob replied. "They're mobilizing from multiple directions."
"We need to split up," Lunar stated, his tactical assessment aligning with Solar's own. "Increase survival probability through diversification of targets."
"Precisely what we were thinking," Gary exclaimed, too loudly for their precarious situation. “Inverse targets.”
"No," Rowan denied immediately. "We stay together until we find Eclipse."
"The pod can transport the two of you to the new extraction coordinates,” Bob said. "The humans can continue by ground as decoys."
“Eclipse can take care of himself,” Lunar stated in a poor attempt to comfort Rowan.
"The cabin I was telling you about is still the safest immediate option," Poppy insisted. "We should all go there and regroup."
"But you are already grouped," Gary said. "We need you to ungroup."
“The others can continue to the cabin location in the Earth vehicle, where we can arrange secondary extraction once the heat is off,” Bob persisted, directing his attention at Solar and Lunar. He gave a small wave for them to follow.
Solar exchanged a glance with Lunar, and a rare moment of perfect understanding passed between them. Tactically, the Galaxy Brides representatives were correct, despite their general incompetence. Splitting up would increase the overall chances of mission success, even if it increased the risk to the three women.
"Solar and Dani should go with them," Lunar said, surprising everyone. "Solar's energy signature is the most detectable, especially now as we face darkness. He is the most likely to draw Milano to all of us. And Dani requires medical attention that the extraction vessel can provide."
"What? No," Dani protested. "My ankle is fine. We're not leaving you guys to face Milano alone."
"It's strategically sound," Solar said quietly, though the prospect of separating from the group troubled him more than he would have expected. "Milano developed specific countermeasures for our energy signatures. If Lunar and I remain together, the capture probability increases substantially."
Dani looked at him in protest. "But?—"
A distant rumble interrupted her, followed by the distinctive thump of helicopter rotors.
"Decision time," Gary urged, his yellow skin paling noticeably. "Milano's air support is incoming."
Solar decided for them. "Dani and I will go with you. Lunar, protect them." He nodded toward Rowan and Poppy. "We will search for Eclipse from the sky, and we will rendezvous at the secondary extraction point once it's secured."
"Wait," Dani began, but Solar had already moved, lifting her carefully from the jeep despite her protests. "We can't go into… We can't fly… I mean, up there?"
Dani looked up at the sky and trembled. She shook her head.
"Perfectly safe," Gary said.
"Your injuries require treatment," he said firmly, not putting her down as he held her in his arms. "And I can better protect you in a smaller group."
She looked up again at the sky. "That's not?—"
"No time to argue," Gary interrupted, already hurrying back toward the pod. "Those helicopters will be on us in minutes."
"Do you want me to put her to sleep?" Bob offered Solar. "It would be the kind thing to do."
"No!" Dani protested, leaning into Solar's chest. "Don't you touch me."
Solar carried Dani toward the pod. She clutched her backpack of supplies to her chest. He set her down gently at the pod's entrance.
"We will see them again," he assured her, though he had no tactical basis for such certainty.
Dani looked back at the jeep, where Poppy was already restarting the engine. "This feels wrong."
