Dez crossed his arms. “What about the other ship? The watercraft.”
“I— I don’t know.” Blaize winced at the hole in the plan Dez had so quickly identified.
“My brother works security at the docks. Just started there.” The pride in Cyra’s voice was clear. Blaize hadn’t known the captain had a sibling.
Dez nodded. “We’ll contact him. Blaize can figure out what to do about Varik’s ship. I’d rather we contacted the port authority here, but that didn’t work out last time. So, let’s find the right people to handle this.”
Bodi rushed in with a large bag in each hand. She paused at the entrance, just inside the bridge. “What’s going on? Where’s Veda? I found the perfect thing for her.”
Rhysa spun in her chair. “You went shopping?”
Bodi scowled back at her. “Chalcanth fabrics are universally famous. You could have come with me instead of getting fucked by strangers.”
“I’m sure that, as much as you paid for whatever is in those two sacks, we both got screwed.”
Blaize blocked out the rest of the conversation and began the search for the ship schematics. Bodi and Rhysa would get tired of their toxic banter, and nothing she could say would help. Dez and Cyra left the bridge. Cifer settled into the empty chair next to her and tapped away. Hopefully, one of his other contacts would come through and they could offload the produce. Worst case, they’d eat really well on the way to Hiargus.
But first, the problem of disabling Varik’s ship. Blaize entered the information Cifer had gathered. There. The class, make, and model of the ship piloted by Varik. She added the serial number but didn’t have the date of manufacture. That last detail, and she’d be completely certain that she had the right plans, but as it was, she was ninety-eight percent sure. If she could read the digital identification… But no way Varik left the DID untampered. She clicked through the screens, focusing on the external panels and the mechanics behind them.
“This could work.”
“What?” Cifer crouched by her side, one arm around her chair.
She hadn’t meant to say that out loud, not until she verified. But since he was already there… “See? This panel. If we can get it open, and if I have the right tool to reach back to there…” She pointed at the screen as she zoomed in on the schematic.
“I’m pretty sure I’ll be able to reach it.” He gave her a half-smile.
“That connector provides the power connection to the nav system. If that were to come loose, the ship won’t launch. It’s in the safety checks. No nav system verification, no liftoff.”
Cifer kissed her cheek. “Brilliant.” He stood up before she could react to either. “I’ll go tonight.”
“We’ll go tonight.” She touched his arm to get his attention. “You need my expertise.”
Cifer opened his mouth. Clamped his jaw shut. Crossed his arms and glared at her. “Fine. But you have to do everything I say. I won’t have you get caught by the bastards.”
“Like you were?” Blaize couldn’t believe she’d said that. “I… Um… I didn’t?—”
“Yes, Beauty. Like I was. I don’t think I could stand to see you in a cage.” He caressed her shoulder.
Warm, gooey affection shoved Blaize’s embarrassment away.
“Ah, true love.” Rhysa smirked at Blaize.
Cifer tugged the hood of the jacket tight over Blaize’s head and tucked each stray lock of her gorgeous red hair away. “You’ll listen to me. Do everything when I say. Nothing else, and not until I say so.”
“I know what I’m doing.”
Her lip stuck out adorably, and he considered kissing her silly, fucking her senseless, and leaving her safely behind. “You know what you’re doing with the engines. But you don’t have a clue about breaking the rules and stealth missions.”
“I saved you, didn’t I?”
Cifer tilted his head. “You beat the hell out of a ship with a giant wrench and then broke open cages with the same blunt force tool. Not stealthy.”
“Fine.” She stepped out of his reach. “I’ll let you lead.”
He tugged her forward and gave her a quick kiss. “You can lead later.”
A calculated look flashed across her face, and Cifer couldn’t wait to find out what she had in mind. But first they had to deal with that bastard, Varik.
