Evolution Read Online Free Page A

since we hardly know the enemy we’re dealing with. We’ll be going in blind no matter what we do.
    Beechy rubs his temple. “Well, some of the soldiers—including Sam—are afraid to leave until we’ve managed to make contact with flight control in the Core and let them know our situation. They’d be able to direct us on a clear flight path to the Pipeline. And there’s some hope they could also send us back up from a Core squadron. The radio signal is still facing serious interference from the electrical systems aboard the Mardenite fleet, but Fiona’s working on trying to patch it. We could set up a temporary camp here until she’s finished. The problem is, it could take hours.”
    In a few hours, it’ll be daylight, which will make it much easier for the raiders to spot us, even with the trees providing cover. Setting up camp here is not a permanent solution.
    â€œEven if we’re able to make contact with someone in the Core, it would take too long for help to get here,” I say. “It’s not just about us, Beechy. It’s about the other people on the Surface. Every minute we stay here, more people die.”
    â€œI know.” Beechy’s cheeks pinch together. He was there at the meeting where Commander Charlie explained how he planned to put all those child workers in the city and detonate the bombs inside them to save the rest of Kiel. Beechy saw how big the fleet is; he knows the plan isn’t going to save us. “We need to leave tonight. Dean and Skylar are on my side. We just need to get Sam and the other pilots to agree.”
    â€œYou’re working with Skylar?” I can’t keep the accusation out of my voice. Even though she argued with Sam on our behalf, and she was the person who warned us Marden’s army had arrived in the first place, there’s no way that makes up for all the other times she betrayed us. I can’t forgive her for pretending she was part of the Alliance, acting like she was my friend when she was spying for Commander Charlie the whole time. He didn’t inject her with any serum, but she still gave him every Alliance name and other bit of information he wanted. I can’t forgive her for helping him break into our headquarters and capture everyone inside.
    â€œYes,” Beechy says, quite calmly. “I know what she did, and I know we can’t trust her. But right now she can help us get out of here. So, yes, I’m going to work with her. I suggest you do the same.”
    How can I possibly get along with Skylar? I don’t trust her at all.
    Although, as much as I hate to admit it, there are ways she could still be useful. She’s a liar and a traitor, but she’s also one of the best pilots I’ve ever met. And Sam is far more likely to listen to her than to us. Beechy’s right; we need her on our side, in some capacity, however much I can’t stand the thought of playing nice with her.
    â€œCan’t promise I’ll be able to, but I’ll try,” I say. I push off the blanket and notice my weapon holster is empty. Sam must’ve taken my gun. I guess I should be thankful that’s all he did instead of throwing me and the other rebels in the brig, like he wanted. “How come Sam didn’t lock us up?”
    â€œDean convinced him this is the smartest strategy. He’s agreed to set aside our differences and work together to escape the Mardenites, for now.” Beechy’s gaze drifts past me.
    I still want to know what he and Dean were talking about before I woke up. But he seems distracted, troubled by something.
    My stomach pinches as I remember. “Where’s Sandy?”
    â€œWith Uma. She and the ship doctor are performing emergency surgery in the other room.”
    I follow his gaze to the door on my left, the one I thought led to a storage closet.
    â€œThey took a scan of Sandy’s internal injuries and…” Beechy