>>6028265“No need for dice.” You unceremoniously toss the metallic cubes back into the rhino-skin pouch. “I vote for Jean-Pierre. He has the most experience out of anyone here.” Okwonko laughs again in that half-mocking tone. “Don't underestimate me like that, Thornton. Don't you know I be fighting ever since I kicked my hag's stomach open?” You give him a half-polite smile in return.
“My vote for Tassigny, too.” Ienaga draws his sword in slow motion. “That makes three of us, then.” Okwonko casts a sidelong glance in surprise. Liu wraps her spidery hands around your hip. “Us kitties have to stick together.” The point of the duralloy blade misses her nose by a whisker. What you would have given to Ienaga to make a mistake.
“Put away the sword. I won't have my officers at one another's throat while the real enemy is circling all around us.” Jean-Pierre's words alone are enough to disarm the latter-day duelist. “Now, are you certain the intel is correct, Commander Thornton?” You nod, “Yes, I would recommend we jump right in between these two formations and make our way to the exit immediately.”
“And what if we land too close to their destroyer formations?” You smile nervously, “We won't.” Why is it so cold in here suddenly? “We will follow Commander Thornton's plan then. Any final notes?”
“Yes, my source is part of the forward scouts, one of the destroyers. He will tag me as soon as we jump in. Until then, best to not go too hard." The agent stops shaking his laps and leans forward ever so slightly. “You heard her. Hold fire for as long as you can. If there are no other questions then, dismiss. We set out 2 hours from now.”
Liu makes a show of kissing her business card before dropping it into your breast pocket. “We still have to talk. Call me later.” She hisses at Ienaga's stare, “None of you men's business.” The agent raises his eyebrows, and the hair on your neck, but quickly disappears behind the door without a word.
