Page 40 of Thexan

My attention shifted from the map to her face.

“No,” I said, my voice low and absolute. “We do not. Because if we make one, they will not aim for me first.”

The words settled between us with cold clarity.

Brynn’s expression tightened, but she didn’t look away.

“They’ll aim for the settlement,” she said.

“Yes,” I replied. “Or for you.”

For a moment, we didn't speak.

Then Brynn drew in a slow breath and looked back at the map.

“Then we make sure they don’t get either.”

I extended my arm, activating the mechanism along my forearm without looking away from the map.

The blade formed instantly, a controlled projection of energy stabilizing along the length of the housing with no delay, no fluctuation. It responded to the command without resistance, fully integrated, fully functional.

Brynn’s attention shifted to it, her awareness sharpening as she tracked the change.

“That’s different,” she said.

“It is no longer affected by system instability.”

“Of course it isn’t,” she murmured.

I retracted the blade and returned my focus to the terrain.

“They will not expect resistance at this stage,” I said. “They will expect continued evasion.”

“Then we change the pattern.”

“Yes.”

She stepped in beside me without hesitation, her presence aligning with mine as naturally as if it had been there from the beginning. I felt the bond register the proximity—not as a corrective force now, but as a constant, integrated awareness.

“You said they rely on efficiency,” she said. “So, we make that work against them.”

“Yes.”

Her gaze moved across the map, tracing the same paths we had already identified, but this time with different intent.

“This section,” she said, marking the ridge again. “It still gives you control.”

“Yes.”

“They won’t expect you to hold position there.”

“No.”

She looked up at me, her expression steady.

“Good.”

The word carried more than agreement.