It’s a standard strategy. You shouldn’t put two inexperienced people together.”
“That makes sense.”
“There’s a reason for everything, Mouse.”
I huff. “Including magical boot prints?”
“Yes. We just don’t know what it is yet.”
“I wish I had your optimism, Toad.” I take his hand. It’s dark and I don’t care who sees us. This is the only physical contact we’ll have for the next ten days.
Niall must agree since he doesn’t pull away.
The food is standard base food, but it always tastes better when you’re starving. Otherwise, it doesn’t compare to Radcliff’s cooking. I grab a clean uniform before showering. The lukewarm water is on a timer so I don’t dawdle. I’m reluctant to squirm into my jumpsuit after sweating in it all day. Ugh. Pulling it off the hook in the changing room, I sniff the material. It’s not rank. Odd.
After my shower, I have enough time to visit my parents before I’m on duty again. I enter the command center. Don’t be too impressed. It’s an oversized tent that has a couple tables for meetings on the right side and a double sized sleeping mat for my parents on the left. They’re alone—probably not for long.
“There’s my girl,” Dad says, sweeping me into a hug. “Did you come to check on your mother? Make sure she’s not plotting to sneak back into the pit?” There’s a gleam in his brown eyes.
“Spencer,” Mom says.
He ignores her. “She was just testing the limits, like a toddler, seeing what she can get away with.”
“Spencer.” There’s more force behind it this time.
“Sorry, Ming.” He winks at me—not sorry at all.
My father’s been in high spirits since my parents learned Lan translated the alien symbols.
I change the subject before Mom kicks him out of the tent. “Did you figure out a plan for tomorrow?” I ask.
Now Mom’s face lights up. She looks ten years younger. “Cataloging of course, and digitizing the statues. And we’re going to pay particular attention to the symbols on the Warriors. I just wish…” Her excitement dims a bit.
“You had all of Lan’s research notes,” I say.
“Yes. It’s such a phenomenal step in the right direction. Finally! And, at the same time, it’s so very frustrating. You’ve no idea.”
Oh, yes I do. Probably just as frustrating as being interrupted every time Niall and I are alone together.
“At least we’re actually here,” she says. “And can get some work done. Real work. I only wish…” Mom hugs her arms to her chest.
“That Phoenix was here?” I finish for her.
“Yes. He would have loved all of this.”
“I know, the three of you would have geeked out together,” I mock grumble.
“You can’t pretend that you’re not excited, too,” Dad says to me.
“Well, I’m excited for Lan. And I plan, when I have time, to find all her notes for you.” And for her. She deserves full credit and I’m going to do everything I can to make sure she gets it.
“We have no doubt you will,” Dad says. “What we’re not sure of is…”
Uh oh. I hold my breath.
“If you would have pulled your weapon on your mother.”
“Spencer!”
I assume a serious demeanor. “I have my orders. If Dr. Daniels is not following proper security protocols, then I will ensure that she does.”
“Ara!” Mom jabs her finger at the tent’s flap. “That’s enough from both of you. Out!”
We bolt. Stopping far from the tent, Dad and I share a fit of giggles. After we recover, Dad goes to check on the techs and I find Niall so we can relieve Beau and Elese.
When they head to the mess tent, I ask Niall about the weirdly smell-proof jumpsuit.
“It’s that special fabric. As long as you air it out every day it stays pretty clean. If you wear it non-stop for a couple days, it’ll stink,” he says.
“Speaking from experience?”
“Unfortunately.”
We share a smile before parting ways and patrolling the edges of the camp. I don’t turn on my flashlight. Instead, I let my eyes adjust to the semi-darkness. There’s a glow from the camp so it’s not pitch dark. Eventually, Beau relieves Niall. For a while it’s not too bad since there’s activity in the camp. But once everyone goes to sleep, silence descends. And boredom sets in. To keep alert, I alternate between staring out at the empty desert and gazing at the awesome display of stars. With no clouds, no light pollution, and no haze, there’s more white in the sky than black. Also helping to keep me awake is the quickly dropping temperature as the