“This,” says Scarlett, “is going to be the most epic vacation in history.”
“We just got back from vacation,” I groan.
“And there’s no way I can take time off,” Tyler says.
Scarlett puts her hands on her hips. “Are you being serious right now?”
“I mean it,” Ty says, shaking his head. “There’s a whole bunch of diplomatic meetings scheduled after the unveiling, we’ve got new intakes coming in after that, and de Stoy’s rearranging the whole command structure.”
“Right,” I nod. “And we’re still short in mechaneering, I’ve gotta hel—”
“Oh Maker’s breath …” Scar heaves a dramatic sigh, looking between me and Ty. “Could you two be bigger killjoys, please.”
I shrug, helpless. “I’ve got work to do, Scar.”
“Look,” she says, leaning closer. “A vacation I organize means a pool. And a pool means me packing nothing but a swimsuit. Do the math, de Seel.”
I pause, glance to Tyler. “Yeah, okay, I’m convinced.”
“Right,” Scar scowls. “What about you, Bee-bro?”
“You know I hate it when you call me that, right?”
“You know I hate your face, right?”
“Ouch.”
Tyler glances at Saedii thoughtfully.
“Do you even own a swimsuit?”
She glowers around the room. “I am certain I could fashion one out of someone’s skin without too much difficulty.”
“Leather bikini … ,” I murmur, staring into the distance.
“… Yeah, okay,” Tyler declares. “I’m convinced.”
“Are they always like this?” Jie-Lin asks quietly.
“In time, one becomes accustomed to it,” Kal replies gravely.
Aurora just hugs her one more time, and smiles.
“Welcome to the family.”