4
Major Braddock stood in the auditorium. Star Runners filed in, conversing with one another in hushed tones under a pulsating emerald glow. A haze drifted over everything, but Austin thought it might have been lack of sleep. Braddock’s cold gaze surveyed the Star Runners as they entered.
A sleepless night filled with terrors, firefights and explosions allowed Austin to be first arrival to the early morning meeting. He’d stopped by the mess hall for a coffee and drank nearly all of it by the time he reached the compact auditorium. Braddock said nothing as he entered, only nodding in silence.
Upending the disposable mug, he found Ryker, who sat at the far side of the room. He felt like a rusty knife twisted inside his chest. She didn’t even look in his direction.
He shook his head. She
