The Hunt - Megan Shepherd Page 0,107
out.”
“Yeah, so what’s the genius plan?” Leon said.
Cora paced across the floor. “Fian is a traitor, but Tessela isn’t. If we can get back to the Hunt, we can get the dart guns, and she can alert the others. The Fifth of Five will join us.”
“That’s the extent of your plan?” Leon laid his head down on the teddy bear. “I’m regretting my decision already.”
“The boy is, for once, correct,” Bonebreak said. “You are thinking like a human, not a Kindred. Even if there are some loyal to your cause on the station, fighting will do nothing but get yourselves killed. They will always be stronger than you.”
“It’s the only option we have,” Cora said.
“It isn’t,” Bonebreak said cryptically. “I can offer a better option that will not result in a war.”
Mali whipped her head around to him and narrowed her eyes. “Do not trust a thing he says,” she started, but Cora held up a hand for her to be quiet.
“Go on.” Cora nodded for Bonebreak to continue, and Mali scowled.
Bonebreak drummed his fingers together. “Your skinny friend with the pink hair is right.” He pointed a pulpy finger at Nok. “The six of you couldn’t make a dent in the Kindred’s army, even with weapons, and even with your little mind tricks.” His voice grew cold as he glanced at Anya. “Your original plan to run the Gauntlet was wiser.”
“Didn’t you hear Rolf?” Cora said. “It started today. We missed it. The module won’t return to the station for another twenty years.”
Bonebreak drummed his fingers together faster. Mali couldn’t see his face behind the mask, but she pictured a grin that matched the creepy delight in his voice. “That is true. The Gauntlet will not return to the Kindred aggregate station number 10-91 for six hundred rotations. But that doesn’t mean it doesn’t go elsewhere. Once it leaves the Kindred’s station, it happens to be headed for a Mosca planet named Drogane. I spent some time there in my youth—a lovely place. I could take you. One of you could still run it, free your species, much celebration.”
The ship was so quiet that Mali could hear only Bonebreak’s raspy breathing behind his mask. She curled her hands into fists. “He already betrayed us once. He will again.”
Cora nodded. “Mali makes a good point, Bonebreak.”
“It is true that I was going to turn you over to the Kindred, but not on a whim. They were simply offering a better deal. And I am always loyal to those who offer me the best deal. Just ask that one.” He jabbed a finger in Leon’s direction.
Leon snorted. “Sure, but what if it’s a deal we don’t want to make?”
“Just listen to my proposal, childrens. I take you to Drogane. My brother lives there; he will shelter us all in his house with his own little childrens. You must have a sponsor—I will fill this role. I will help prepare you for the Gauntlet tests, girl.”
“What’s in it for you?” Cora asked.
Mali paced, fighting the urge to yell at all of them that it was a very bad idea to even be considering accepting his help.
Bonebreak stood. Hunched over, he was barely taller than Mali, but his chest was so wide he was nearly twice her size. “Exclusive trade rights. If you beat the Gauntlet, humans will be free to barter and participate in commerce. The Kindred and the Gatherers are too formal for our tastes, when it comes to business transactions. And the Axion—not even we like to work with them. They’re frighteningly brilliant, always scheming something. You humans don’t care as much about the rules—I like that. If you agree that I will be your exclusive trading partner once you gain autonomy, I will help you beat the Gauntlet, and we will all make mountains of money.”
Mali kept waiting for Cora to say no. To realize that nothing was worth placing trust in Bonebreak. But Cora kept running her fingers over Lucky’s journal, as though she couldn’t quite get away from what he had said.
“Okay,” Cora said, sounding slightly hesitant.
Shit, Mali thought, and didn’t even take the time to congratulate herself on her second successful use of cursing. She spun on Cora. “This is a mistake.”
“Ignore the angry one,” Bonebreak said, sweeping his hand in Mali’s direction. “You are making the right choice. Now, on to Drogane. It takes a half rotation, so we will need to refuel. And purchase a gift for my brother; a Mosca never sees family