Twenty minutes later, Milla lands Kujacker in the clearing Carol and Spade had moved to. In her excitement, Milla leaps off Kujacker and throws her arms around Carol, hugging her tightly.
"GYAH!" Carol yells, her cracked ribs grinding painfully. "Let go let go let go!"
Milla releases Carol immediately. "Sorry! It's just, I'm so glad you're OK, and‑"
"It's OK, Milla," Carol assures, her eyes watering from the pain. "You weren't to know… I have eleven cracked ribs."
Milla moves to hug Carol in comfort but stops herself. "How did you do that?"
"Hit a tree," Carol explains. "You're wearing… a new outfit. Looks cool."
"Thanks," Milla blushes. "There's one for you on Neera's ship."
"Is there… also elixir?"
"Yeah."
"Thank the Ancients," Carol sighs with relief.
The ride back is painful for Carol, as there's not much room for three on Kujacker, and she can't prevent pressure being applied to her ribs. However, she weathers the discomfort, knowing that she'll soon be healed.
Neera is waiting for them on the top deck when they land twenty minutes later. "Carol, I'm so glad to see you," she greets. "Are you in need of aid?"
Carol jumps off Kujacker, and immediately regrets it when her landing on the deck jars her cracked ribs. "Gah! That was a bad idea… Yes, I need aid… eleven cracked ribs. And that's… just the obvious injuries."
"I'll get an elixir bath prepared for you," Neera decides.
"Before you do, take these," Carol replies. "They're memory units… I stole from Corazon, and they contain… loads of stuff about the Sigwada… and the Bakunawa… among other stuff."
Neera accepts the memory units. "Thank you: this'll make planning our assault much easier."
"My honour," Carol bows. "Now… where's this elixir bath? I'm getting dizzy… and I think I'm about to faint… from the pain."
"Follow me," Neera requests.
Ten minutes later, Carol lies still in her elixir bath, feeling the medication knit her ribs back together, Coral's sheathed katana in the bath with her. "Ah… This feels so good," she purrs.
"You've earned it," Neera assures from behind a privacy screen.
"Maybe, but I got injured thanks to a dumb move," Carol explains. "I teleported towards some trees and failed to account for momentum."
"You have a teleporter?" Neera asks.
"Adapted from recovered Brevon tech," Carol explains.
"I wasn't aware any existed outside the Shang Tu labs. How did you get your hands on it?"
Carol remains silent, not wishing to admit it's stolen.
"I should have known," Neera smirks.
"Please don't tell Lilac I stole it," Carol requests.
"There's more important things to worry about," Neera agrees.
"I don't like using the teleporter," Carol continues, relieved she's not in trouble. "It makes me nauseous, and I throw up. Also, it burns through two energy crystals each time I teleport."
"I can ask Sally to help tune it if you like," Neera offers. "She serviced Lilac's chargers, and they're now working more efficiently than ever."
"How is Lilac?" Carol asks.
"She's doing well," Neera assures, electing not to describe the state Lilac was in when originally brought on board.
"Good." Carol pauses. "Be honest: was she hurt?"
Neera hesitates.
"Please, just tell me," Carol requests. "I want to know."
Neera sighs in resignation. "She died briefly," she quietly reveals. "Cardiac arrest. She was badly burnt, and her hair whips had been amputated."
Carol remains silent, unable to find the words.
"If it helps, she doesn't hold any resentment towards you," Neera assures. "Quite the opposite in fact: she's desperate to make amends."
"Who else is on board?" Carol asks.
"Maria Shanmao, Tai Wong, Danny Brock, Sally Flynn, and King Dail."
"I assume he's brought the Sky Battalion."
"Correct. General Gong's bringing the Shang Tu fleet as well."
"We'll need as many ships as we can get. Is Zao sending anything?"
"I honestly have no idea. I did ask."
"Typical Zao."
"When you're ready, I can bring you your new outfit," Neera informs.
"Looking forward to it," Carol smiles.
"If you like, I can have your katana serviced‑"
"It stays with me," Carol insists, her voice carrying more conviction than Neera imagined possible. "And I won't argue about it. It stays with me, and that's final."
"As you wish," Neera accepts, knowing there's no use arguing.
"I'd like to see my new outfit now," Carol decides. "And can you send for Milla? I'd like her to be the first to see it."
"Not Lilac?" Neera asks.
Carol sighs. "Look, things between me and Lilac… I'm not ready to deal with that yet."
"As you wish," Neera accepts. "I'll be back in five minutes."
Five minutes later, in the galley, Milla is trying to convince Lilac to visit Carol.
"I'm not ready to deal with that yet," Lilac admits to Milla.
"I'm sure she wants to see you," Milla argues.
"No offense, but I've known Carol long enough to know she won't speak to me until she's ready," Lilac counters. "And right now, she isn't ready."
"How do you know?"
"She hasn't asked to see me yet."
"You haven't asked to see her."
Lilac remains silent.
"Why haven't you asked?" Milla asks.
"Because I'm scared to," Lilac admits.
"Don't be," Milla assures. "I'm sure‑"
"Sorry to interrupt," Neera interjects, appearing at the door. "Milla? Carol would like to see you."
Milla looks to Lilac.
"It's OK," Lilac assures. "I'm sure we'll speak later."
"Make sure you do."
Lilac watches Milla follow Neera. I hope Carol will speak to me again…
Milla follows Neera into the elixir bath room to find Carol already behind a screen, the outfit she chose on the Sigwada discarded on the floor in front of it. "Carol?"
Carol pokes her head out from behind the screen. "Hey, Magic Mutt! Ready to see the new Carol Tea?"
"Can't wait!" Milla answers.
Carol disappears back behind the screen, then slides it to one side, revealing her to be striking a confident pose in her new outfit: a fitted flexible armoured black crop top, capris made from the same material as Lilac's blouse and capris and Milla's bodyglove (and coloured to match the darker of her two shades of green fur), black armoured fingerless gloves with forearm protection and half‑inch broad spikes on the knuckles, and calf‑clinging knee‑length black military‑style boots with armoured shins and titanium‑reinforced toecaps. The ensemble is finished off with Coral's sword sheathed on her back. "Whaddya think?"
"Wonderful!" Milla chimes.
"Perfect!" Carol grins. "There's only one thing missing."
"That's my cue," Spade interrupts, entering the room.
Carol's good mood vanishes instantly, and she drops her pose. "Why are you here?" she growls.
"Because I have something for you." Spade pulls a folded square of red cloth from his pocket. "I've been carrying this since… She'd want you to have it."
Carol accepts the square of cloth and unfolds it to see a very familiar name embroidered in an elegant flowing script in one corner. "Is this…?"
"It's Coraline's first red scarf, the one she was issued with when she joined," Spade confirms. "I can't think of anyone more deserving to have it than you."
Carol is speechless, unable to take her eyes off the scarf.
"I'll leave you in peace now," Spade decides, turning to leave.
"Wait."
Spade turns back to Carol.
"While I'm still very angry with you, this has gone a long way towards redeeming yourself," Carol informs. "Thank you."
Spade nods, then leaves in silence.
Carol ties the scarf in place, making sure Coraline's name is close to her heart. "And now I'm complete, it's time to speak to Lilac."