Page 55 of Warrior
“That’s not a bad idea.”
I gaped at Daicon. “That’s an awful idea.” I turned my attention to the boys, pointing a stern finger between them. “I don’t want either of you around those explosives.”
Ewok rolled his eyes while George grinned. I was too startled to respond.
“Kida, they set the charges in the active tunnels. We saw them.” Ewok sighed.
They’d already been around those explosives. The guards set the charges where the children worked—while they worked!
Bastards!
I must have made some kind of movement. Daicon’s hand tightened on my shoulder.
“Making the guards think the younglings have foiled their plans might be enough.”
“Enough for what?” I demanded, wiggling under his touch. I intended to oppose this ridiculous plan, but the tickle of desire his touch generated didn’t help maintain my antimony.
“Enough of a diversion to give us a chance to get on that ship."
“Won’t they shoot at the ship once they realize we’re on it?” I worried. There was no way to get us off this rock without putting the children in danger.
"I doubt they'll risk blowing up the dock," Daicon snorted. "Besides, the Aljani troop carrier we want is shielded. Once we get everyone aboard, we are safe."
Safe. It was a concept unfamiliar in this dark, dank mine, save for the moments in Daicon's arms. He was safety to me. He meant protection for the children. What was I worried about? He'd keep us safe despite the danger of escaping. I knew that.
“What’s the plan?”
Ewok grinned. “We steal some explosives and set them off in the common area. We can make a lot of noise, and the guards will think we're rebelling."
I glanced at Daicon, but his eyes were sweeping over the room.
“You know, if the younglings could draw the guards into this area and seal off the stairs, it would be a trap.”
"So, we would use the children as bait?" I resisted.
"We can use the supper tunnel to escape," George suggested, his eyes going toward a small opening in the stone.
“Not a bad idea. I am impressed.” Daicon grinned at the boys.
"How much explosive will we need to use?" I knew little about demolition. Dynamite was the only explosive I could name. The idea of the children involved with explosives made my stomach hurt.
“It depends on what type of charge the guards are using.” Daicon pondered. “If we’re lucky and they’re using a nitrate-based explosive, it’s possible to extract the nitrate from the fuel.”
“What does that mean?” He lost me at lucky.
“It means we get the bang, but not the destruction.” Daicon grinned and leaned over to press his lips to my cheek. George and Ewok giggled on cue.
I felt a tad relieved. “So, when do we do this?”
Daicon glanced skyward, the light filtering through the dome waning into a pale lime green. "Tomorrow morning. The Aljani I met at the skiff said the guards are most vulnerable at dawn."
“Dawn?” I gulped down the wad of fear rising in my throat.
"We're out of time, sweetling," Daicon said softly. His golden gaze bounced between Ewok, George, and me.
The boys nodded to the warrior at my side. Nothing in their expressions spoke of childish innocence. It was bad enough the guards made them slave away in the mines all day. Now, they had to act like soldiers to boot. It broke my heart. When we got away from this place, I would make sure they got to act like children, free from worry and fear.
Everyone will be returning from the mines soon," George said thoughtfully, glancing toward the tunnels.
