Orion frowns. "Don't slander the Ninja Cowboy strategy. Remember the mission with the Europan princess mission?"

"You mean the debacle where you almost got executed because everyone thought you were trying to assassinate the very person you were protecting?"

His frown twists upward. "But I did protect her."

"And almost died for it! I had to perform the reverse Ninja Cowboy."

"Lies," he mutters jokingly. "Lies and calumny."

"I have video evidence-"

He holds up his hand. "We'll finish this conversation later. But we need to prepare to act. Get the supplies together-"

Frowning, he glances around and then shakes his head. "Never mind. We just have ourselves, so let's just get us."

I follow his scan of the room, and find that we're alone here. My circuits buzz with what humans would call nervousness. Two thirds of my team is out of sight in hostile territory, and I didn't even notice.

Orion frowns deeper. "Why are Killa and Nicholas always disappearing together?"

"You and I both know the reason behind that."

He gestures at me. "Alicia Ivy, do not meddle. A couple on the team will ruin the group dynamics-"

At our words, both Killa and Nicholas appear in the doorway, Nicholas wearing a pair of scrubs.

Orion raises an eyebrow. "Do I even want to know?"

"What can I say?" Nicholas wags his eyebrows. "Stella is just my type."

Killa rolls her eyes. "More like she took pity on his ridiculous clothes. So, do we have a plan?"

"Well, we know the stats..."

She frowns. "But you still don't have a plan?"

"Um..."

I strep forward. "He does." I glance back at him and give him the form of a grimace to give him the permission he doesn't need, but secretly wants.

He turns from me to them. "Of course I do. The reverse Ninja Cowboy."

Killa groans all over again and rolls her eyes all around her head before just staring upwards.

Nicholas considers this for a moment. "We're going to die. But we're going to die cool, at least."

"You know how many other chiefs would put up with you two's back-talk right now?" Orion asks. "Because I don't know any."

Killa cocks her hip. "And do you know how many teams would put up with a hair-brained captain like you?"

"Ah-hem."

We all turn to find Stella standing in the doorway, a few changes of scrubs hanging over her left arm.

"I don't want to intrude on your team dynamics or anything," she begins, "and I have no idea what a Ninja Cowboy is, but I was going to offer you another way in. If you think that might be helpful."

Nicholas leans against the wall, giving Stella his best smolder. I know it's his best because I've seen him practicing it in too many reflective surfaces around the ship. "And what plan do you have cooked up, Stella?"

"We are always taking volunteers at the hospital if a nurse can vouch for them," she answers. "Not that there are very many willing to help clean up the wounds instead of making them..."

Killa moves toward Stella and takes her hands in hers. Stella blinks and stares at Killa curiously. But I know what Killa is doing. As the only female on the team, Killa has appointed herself as the one in charge of reading people for trustworthiness.

Nicholas rolls his eyes because he thinks it's a ridiculous trait to hone and practice. Orion, however, waits for Killa's prognosis. He takes her skill seriously.

And I have always wondered at it. I can read people in every physical way. But beyond the shell of human beings? Reading into the core of people, discovering what makes them tick, analyzing their next move? That is something and AI can never understand.

Only real women know that gift.

Killa turns and nods at us.

Orion steps forward. "You understand the dangers that will be a part of this, ma'am?"

Stella nods. "Doing right here is always a danger. And it is always a risk I am willing to take."

My captain nods back. "You are an honorable woman."

A ghost of a smile plays at her mouth, and she tosses a pair of scrubs at him. "I'm glad you think so. Now take off your clothes."

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