Page 171 of Aviatrix

“I happen to like liver and onions.” She winks.

And for a second, just a flicker, I remember how well we used to work together. Maybe for today I can shelve the anger. Maybe I can save Amber. Maybe even Sasha.

But once this war is over, there will be hell to pay.

“Truce for now?” I offer.

“Truce,” she agrees.

Three minutes later, the line is ringing to the Pentagon.

“Space Command,” a voice answers.

“This is Captain Kinley Quay,” I say quickly. “I need to speak with Sasha Ivanov. Immediately.”

“She’s not—”

“FIND HER!” I roar.

Thea’s eyes widen at my tone.

“Y-yes,” the person stammers. “Hold one moment.”

I cover the receiver and glance at Thea. “Any updates on the hangar?”

“Atlas is working on stealing the authentication codes,” she says. “Should we tell the Colonel?”

Tell Lark we’re about to defy the General’s orders? That we’re prepping to fly to the Pentagon under lockdown with a ticking alien time bomb on it, try to break in, and save his daughter.

Or die trying?

Yeah. We should definitely tell him.

“Tell him,” I say.

She stands. “Be right back.”

“Hullo?” a voice crackles on the other end.

“Sasha?” I ask, heart leaping. I don’t think I’ve ever been so relieved to hear her.

“Kinley,” she exhales. “What’s going on?”

“Nothing good,” I answer. “Is Amber with you?”

“A little shaken up, but yeah. She’s been with me the whole time.”

“You need to get out of there. Like now.”

“I can’t,” she whispers. “We’re under lock and key. I’ve been moved away from my team. Stuck in a room with rookies.”

“That’s not good,” I groan.

“What’s happening?”

I glance at the analog clock on the wall. Two hours and fifty-four minutes. That’s all we have before the Pentagon is under fire.

“In less than three hours, you have to be out of that building,” I warn. “Do you understand?”