Qi’ra’s Small Army

Qi’ra exited the transport that had dropped her into Night Shade‘s hangar. Awaiting her in the hangar was Top Lieutenant Nienye, T-38, and her small army of female bodyguards. They weren’t a formidable force but under her leadership, they would take Enfys Nest’s mercenaries, hence the Rebellion, by storm.

“Are we getting any help?” T-38 asked.

Qi’ra shook her head. “We’re on our own.”

The mood immediately became grim but Qi’ra refused to be swallowed into despair. Yes, she was taking on a mission that could easily end in failure but she wasn’t going to be mentally defeated before even leaving the planet’s orbit.

“But we’re striking the rebels by surprise. They won’t know what hit them,” Qi’ra assured.

“You seem confident but we could be facing an enemy that could have an army of over a thousand soldiers,” her Top Lieutenant reminded her.

“As Dryden Vos’ Top Lieutenant I was tasked with many risky ventures, and I succeeded in every single one. With the element of surprise on our side the coaxium will be ours and there will be next to no casualties.”

“No casualties?” T-38 stepped forward, her expression creased with concern. “Aren’t you a little overconfident?’

“Confidence will be our strength,” Qi’ra responded with a smile.

Nienye subtly smiled. “Somehow, I feel emboldened.”

“We will show anyone who doubts us why they should fear Crimson Dawn,” Qi’ra announced.

Her all-female personnel seemed inspired but T-38 still wore a frown on her face.

“I hope you know what you’re doing,” the cyborg said.

Qi’ra placed a hand on her shoulder. “Trust me.”

“You’ll always have my trust, M’Lady,” T-38 responded with a dip of her head.

As Qi’ra walked off to the Night Shade‘s cockpit she mumbled under her breath, “I just hope that trust won’t be the end of me.”