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of Kristov on the security camera. They were both well away from the mantis I.C.E.
    Kristov got to his feet with Sara’s help, and he marched over. He stood over Paul, his massive fists clenching and unclenching, then relaxed a notch and turned to Ethan. “He was working on his I.C.E., running the preflight checklist. When I asked him what he thought he was doing, he ran. I tried to grab him, but he was too fast. I chased him, but he turned and”—Kristov rubbed his stomach—“he surprised me.”
    “What
were
you doing with the mantis, Paul?” Ethan asked.
    “Just …” Paul shut his mouth, then said with a snort, “Whatever. You guys wouldn’t believe me.”
    “Try me.”
    Paul glared at Ethan, seemed to decide something, and then shook his head.
    Angel stepped up and stared down at Paul. She and Paul had gotten along before, but Angel stopped chewing her gum as she examined him, her expression unreadable.
    “Well, until you cough up an explanation,” Ethan told him, his tone frosty, “you’re not flying any I.C.E. under my command.”
    The ever-present bravado on Paul’s features melted away. “You c-can’t ground me. You need every pilot, Blackwood. You need me and my mantis.”
    Ethan had always known there was something wrong with Paul—he was arrogant and a total pain. But he always thought he could count on Paul in a fight. Now? He wasn’t convinced Paul hadn’t been trying to steal the mantis … to do what? Leave? Paul wouldn’t survive without the squad and this base.
    The bottom line, though, was Ethan wasn’t sure what Paul had planned, but he
was
sure he didn’t trust Paul anymore.
    Paul stared up at Ethan, unbelieving. “Y-you need me.”
    “I did need you,” Ethan said. “But you crossed the line when you attacked Kristov. Until you can explain your actions, I consider you a danger to the rest of the squad.”
    Ethan turned to Felix. “Sergeant, you and Kristov stick him in one of the hospital rooms and spot-weld the air vents and door. We’ll have a long talk with him when we get back.”
    Felix nodded and hauled Paul to his feet.
    Paul sagged, defeated, shook his head, and muttered, “You’ll see. You’re going to need me yet, Ethan.”
    Ethan watched him go. He had a sick feeling in the pit of his stomach.
    Emma moved to Ethan’s side. “You did the right thing,” she whispered. “Or maybe you should have gagged him as well, I dunno.”
    “Thanks,” he whispered back, and then so softly only he heard, “I
hope
I did the right thing.”
    Madison flashed her green eyes at the looming wasp. “It freaks me out how you can do that.” She gave a half shudder. “You just said
‘when we get back,’
Lieutenant? Where are we going? What’s the plan?”
    Ethan stood straighter and spoke up so everyone could hear. “We’re flying south to the Yucatán Peninsula. The Ch’zar are fighting each other down there. We’re going to find out why. Maybe help them destroy each other.”
    Everyone nodded.
    “And the praying mantis?” Angel asked. She brushed her hair back and looked at the Sterling pilots.
    That problem, at least, Ethan had an answer for. He turned to Bobby.
    “Bobby,” he said. “Front and center.”
    Bobby ran up to Ethan and saluted.
    “You’ve logged more simulator hours in an I.C.E. than any other new recruit. I think you’re ready for your maiden flight.”
    Bobby looked superserious. “Yes, sir!” he said. “Absolutely!”
    Ethan took Bobby’s hand and shook it. “Welcome to the squadron, Private Buckman. The Crusher is yours.”
    Bobby glanced over at the ghostly green praying mantis sitting on the flight deck. The unit looked terrifying just sitting there inert. He swallowed, and whispered, “Yes, sir.”

   12   

CANNIBALIZING
    E THAN SAT INSIDE THE COCKPIT OF HIS WASP , contoured seat hugging his back, hurtling over a green landscape at a dizzying, terrain-hugging three hundred feet.
    He checked his fuel gauge for the tenth time