The moment his smile widened, I moved.
No warning. No talk. Just a flick of the dagger Nova gave me, slashing forward.
The pirates jerked in surprise. Some raised weapons. Some shouted. None of them fast enough.
Jackal roared — a wild, raw sound that cracked over the wreckage. "This time," he bellowed, slamming a fist into the nearest pirate's gut, "we can think for ourselves."
His expression was serious. "And we aren't surrendering."
Nova was already moving, fluid and sharp. She shoved something into Reya's hands — another of her damn flesh balls. "Press the button!" Nova snapped.
Reya didn't hesitate. She slammed her thumb down. The ball twisted, deformed — then reshaped itself into a jagged rifle, the barrel twitching like it was alive.
The pirates surged forward, yelling, weapons raised.
We met them head-on.
