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"I’m almost sure that wasn’t the rins, unrepentant That’s Sean--always grinning, smooth as silk "Should have been I take it you ruined McBride’s latest tactic?" Fergal reaches up to grab at Sean’s face, trying with great determination to inspect the inside of his nostrils

"For now"

Sean leans down to pick up his nephew’s favorite toy, a strange, pudgy creature ings and a tail called Tomás I’ve never been sure what Tomás is, but I know he’s sewn froo anywhere without hial rests his head on Sean’s shoulder as his uncle speaks "I tried to hail you, but you didn’t answer Figured there was too much interference today"

Our radios almost never work due to Avon’s atmosphere, but that wasn’t why I didn’t answer "Thanks for trying Don’t worry, I can handle McBride"

"Clear skies, cousin" Good luck, he means There are never clear skies on Avon, no blue, no stars But we don’t give up hope, and we use those words to remind ourselves Clear skies will come, one day

I turn a little so he won’t see the bloody bandage over et hi concern "Forget good fortune We don’t have time to wait for clear skies" I duck et into bed for your nap, and we’ll come and tuck you in soon I need your uncle’s help"

Sean stares down into the bottom of the currach, voice hushed in horror "Flynn Cor to throw a party and use her head for a punch bowl"

"This is an opportunity, Sean If the military will ever trade for anyone, it will be her If we play this right, we could exchange her for ot in their cells--e for the planetary review in a few months"

"Or she could tell everybody who you are, and what you look like, and where to coe to visit"

"She doesn’t know" I let rin "Fair to say she didn’t exactly volunteer to help steer the currach ho, and we canThat’s Lee Chase, Flynn We can’t let her go back You think she can’t tell theenetag?" I cut in over him "I didn’t tell her my name"

"They’ll never trade for her They don’t trade McBride would say asking will make us look weak"