27
Larani was the first one through the airlock, dropping onto the springy earth to find scorch marks on the wing. Just a few paces away, the heavy iron portcullis was shut tight, and there was nothing on the wall except for the sparking ruins of cannons. Already, she could hear men shouting on the other side of the shuttle.
“Move!” one cried out. “Surround them!”
Anna hopped out next, grimacing and shaking her head. The young woman drew her pistol in one smooth motion, to aim for the shuttle's nose as if she expected someone to pop out at any moment. Which they very well might.
Next came Cassiara, and then a very queasy Jack gave her a worried expression before he drew his own weapon and took aim over the wing. Rajel and Keli followed; the telepath was breathing hard.
“We cannot rema
