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She widened her eyes at him in a mock warning, and he laughed.

As he took a good slug of hiskahawaand relished the delicious yet straightforward fare, he felt warmth. He could get used to waking up to her making him breakfast.

Better still, having him return the favor for his cooking skills had much improved over the years.

His musing was interrupted by an unfamiliar sound outside. He stilled as his keen ear caught a noise, a shuffle, followed by the scrape of a foot against rocks further down the hill.

Élisa cocked her head and froze, placing the cup she’d been sipping with care on the rock counter.

Working her way to the vents at the kitchen’s back wall, she peered to the back of the property and jerked her head.

She kept her voice low. ‘It’s the sand rustlers.’

He surged to his feet. ‘Here? Now?’

‘They prefer early mornings for a surprise attack. See.’

Not one iota of fear laced her voice as she eased away so Riv could get an edge in on the view.

He peered through the vent and saw at least fifteen silhouettes in body armor creeping up the rear elevation, their lasers ready.

‘How many?’ she pressed, reaching for her laser rifle, which hung on a secured nook in the rock wall, and various other weapons.

‘A little over a dozen. They’re well-armed. They’re fanning into two groups - one here, the other to the front.’

She sighed, slipping into her boots and sliding a phaser into a holster on her waist. ‘They must have spied on our return and think we’ve more supplies to share.’

He leaned back with a shake of his head at the lack of concern in her voice. ‘Fifteen against two. I don’t like these odds.’

‘We can take them. You manage the vanguard; I’ll handle the back. I’ve got to protect my dzo. When I’m done with my mob, I’ll help with yours.’

‘Fokkin’ what?’ he blurted.

Did she have what it took to take down so many?

‘Don’t underestimate me, Ribau,’ she flipped back with a fierce growl, handing him his laser, the one she’d taken off him on Neron N13. ‘I’ve fought the rustlers numerous times. They’re not the brightest and keep coming for more punishment. I’m well-versed in how to take care of them fast. Don’t be surprised when I show up to rescue you.’

With a skeptical huff, he nodded and let her go, watching her head slip into the rear courtyard.

Riv charged to his room, tugged on his mag boots, and headed outside, where he activated his suit.

His meta-infused helmet slid into place, and his noids switched on stealth mode.

Racing through the open plan house, he vaulted over the front fence unseen, where he came upon the pillagers, fifteen meters away and closing.

He fired a warning shot at the advance lead.

Thekinais, in raven, metal-carved masks that revealed their eyes but obscured their mouths, yelled out in a language he didn’t understand.

They rushed to his general position, confused that the couldn’t see him. Riv turned and darted for the bushes below the home to divert their attention.

He high-tailed past them in a storm of wind, and they whirled around, seeking him.

Grinning at their confusion, he halted at the stand of shrubs and the boulder he’d sat at the night before and waited. When the attackers got to the thicket, they stopped and looked around.

He fired again, taking out one man at the knee. A second pillager lunged, and Riv moved away from the bush.

Riv sprinted along a narrow path away from the mountain and kept running as the laser beams cut through the air.