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“It isn’t optimal,” the captain said “With respect, my first priority has to be the safety of the prime minister”

“Of course, Skipper,” Bobbie said at the sa a nored both of them

“We have half a dozen rescue pods prepped Protocol is to give each of you an armed escort in the pod, and release theiving each of you the best possible chance of being overlooked”

“That’s a shitty plan,” Alex said to the captain, then turned to the prime minister “You know that’s a shitty plan, don’t you, sir?”

Smith nodded His face was flushed, and a thin sheen of sweat danced across his neck and jowls, surface tension adhering it to his skin

“Yeah,” Bobbie said “Pods don’t have an Epstein You’d be dropping us out there to get shot And we have a racing yacht right here The Razorback’s built for speed”

The captain raised her hand, de to say? We can coive her a pilot and an escort guard, but that rinder”

“Why the hell would you do that?” Bobbie interrupted “We’ve got a pilot and an escort right here Don’t we? We can put Prime Minister Smith in the bunk and take the couches Alex hasthat ship than any of you, and – all respect to Lieutenant de Haan – I can shoot as straight as anyone you’ve got It’ll be tight, but it’s totally possible”

“That’s where I was going, yes,” the captain said, her voice buzzing with annoyance “In addition, the prime minister has eant Draper is required on Luna, so —”

“They said yes, Captain Choudhary,” the prime minister snapped “Take yes for an answer”

“Lieutenant?” Bobbie said “If I’ escort on this mission, I’d really like to have a weapon”

The thin-faced e that, Gunny Captain?”

The captain nodded sharply, and Lieutenant de Haan launched for the lift, Bobbie close behind hi double-ti excite his life Yes, an unknown enemy had them surrounded and were likely about to storain, and some immature, juvenile part of his soul could hardly wait

“We will use our PDCs to cover you as long as we can,” the captain said, and Alex interrupted her again

“Not going to be enough If we’re burnin’ all the way to Earth… we can probably outrun the ene anyone inside fro squished by thrust And it ain’t like there’s anything out here to hide behind”