Chapter 10 · The Last Loop

"Captain's moving."

The warning crackled through the corridor before the rifle appeared. I shoved Jude against the wall and dropped with him, his shoulder hard against mine.

"That's Cade," I whispered. "Third year. Good shot."

"Your people or Drake's?"

"Mine. They think I'm the bomber."

Boots hammered the grating. Two sets. Maybe three.

Jude's breath brushed my ear. "Then talk to them."

"They saw me leave the blast zone with you. Drake told them I went rogue."

"So we run."

"I don't run from my own squad."

His hand closed around my wrist. "You run or you die. Pick one."

The first rifle swung around the corner.

I stepped into the open with both hands raised. "Cade. It's me."

He kept the weapon trained on my chest. Singh and Garrett spread behind him, covering the corridor. Singh's eye was still black from yesterday's sparring match. Garrett still owed me twenty credits.

Yesterday. Eleven loops ago.

"Captain," Cade said. His finger rested beside the trigger. "Step away from the prisoner."

"No."

"That's an order."

"You don't give me orders, Cade. Lower the rifle."

Singh shifted left, searching for a shot at Jude. I moved with her, keeping my body between them.