IX
RetreatBoth Sharks and Squints were waiting for Jules when she returned to the Firefly.
The science teams were being herded onto the shuttle and being ordered to leave their equipment outside. Only a handful of them were arguing with the Sharks' urgent requests and she could see their nerves were quickly becoming frayed. Thanks to the roar of gunfire and anxious cries emanating from where Tom and Derick had headed, tempers were getting short as well.
“We're not lifting off yet!” Jules called out, climbing on top of a crate so they could see her. As she'd hoped, the group went quiet. “We're not lifting off. This is just a safety measure. I promise, if we have to leave the equipment, I will make every effort to come back for it.”
Several of the team glanced to Dr. Hall, who nodded an
