Thirty-six
The sound of pounding feet up the steps of the nearest storage bunker diverted Cycloneâs attention from his sorting. Sounds like trouble. Cyclone thought, turning just as Shrill Failed Brick burst out through the cellar doors. Her sweaty face was unusual, since she was developed athletically and the exertion of stair climbing should be nothing to her. Cyclone set his pack of armor shine down and set his jaw. If her visage could hint to what transpired to inspire her perspiration, she'd seen something scary - she was pale as a sheet.
Cyclone was about to ask her what happened when Shira blurted out, "Your girlfriend and Ryder just appeared out of thin air."
Cyclone coughed through his nose in protest. "You mean Kate?" Did everyone see them together?
Then Kate stormed out followed by Allison, and Shira danced out of their way. Ryder had a poise of passive observing-complacency, walking with her head cocked to one side, one brow raised, and her lips set like sheâd already said her piece. On the contrary Kate looked stormy and about to spill her mind.
"Look at you.â Cyclone noted with concern. When Kate faced him, the look on her face was puzzling; there was upset, with a tinge of... hurt? What happened? âWhat happened?" he asked worriedly.
Kate looked about to speak, when she looked up, past him, and Cyclone pivoted stiffly to see Intrepid and Red, approaching from the back of the property. "What's going on?" Intrepid asked, looking between everyone, and his eyes narrowed on Ryder. As well, Stromling Cyclone, Luke, Mara, Rover, and others paused from their tasks to glance over, they sensed something was up, and Shira sidled to her cousin.
It took a few seconds before Kate responded. âThe more the merrier.â she said, and then her words spilled out, fast and accusatively to Intrepid, "You knew. About my death."
Cyclone drew in his breath. "Your-"
"-Death?" Shira gasped, turning goggle-eyed to Intrepid. "This is a suicide mission?"
I donât think thatâs what this is about, Shira. Cyclone thought.
"I already died." Kate announced coldly. "In the dimension where Intrepid and I were married.â Cyclone stepped back, Shira gasped again, and Intrepid stared at the ground. âYou could have told us about that, too."
Unable to retreat, Intrepid looked up from his feet, although his voice faltered and his neck twitched. "Iâm sorry. I should have been the one to tell you.â Keeping his eyes on them, Cyclone imagined Intrepid barely keeping himself from glaring at Ryder, while trying to keep a level gaze with Kate. He held out a hand to Kate, and noticed someoneâs shadow, Redâs, shift behind Intrepid, a quick and preferably discreet motion, but he noticed it. She's involved too.
Kate either also noticed or she already had a piece of her mind for Red, since her next statement was directed at her. "It was you who told him everything, didnât you."
Intrepid said quickly, âItâs not her fault."
âI did.â Red confirmed.
Intrepid had already edged a toeâs-length in front of Red, almost protectively. What it meant, Cyclone wasnât sure, and the extent of Kateâs sudden unease and subsequent need for confrontation was still a mystery.
Being with Kate all these years, he understood one thing though. She didnât like being lied to, and being kept out of the loop was close enough.
"I also know why you rescued Cyclone and me in the first place." Kate said. "Because Red is our daughter in the other dimension.â More gasps. âThe point is, either of you could have told me. Everyone here deserves to know. If weâre going to work together as a team, we need to be open with each other, okay? No more hiding information.â
Intrepid nodded. âAlright. So what do we do now?â
âYou mean relationship-wise, or in team terms? We have a few more hours before our rendezvous on Crux. Cyclone and I will train our powers until then.â Kate spun around and grabbed Cycloneâs arm. âWeâre finished for now. Come on Cyclone.â
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