Chapter 20
20 Austin tilted his head back, leaning against the smooth stone of Painter’s Rock. Overhead, two Tridents flew in silence across the heavens like twinkling stars in the fading daylight. A cold breeze touched his face. The Tridents’ gentle rumble reached him like a distant thunder, overtaking the soft buzzing of the surrounding insects. Earlier that day, Austin and all the other Scorpions had undergone thorough examinations to ensure they were clear of implanted foreign objects. They’d all passed and proceeded into their daily flight briefings. He watched the patrolling fighters increase altitude, scratching two lines across the cloudless sky as they exited the Omeya atmosphere. According to the flight schedule, it was Sorn and Bear’s patrol this evening. He sighed, wishing he had a pat
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