Morning came quietly.
The desert was cold before sunrise.
Only when the first rays of light touched the dunes did the heat begin to return.
Kai had barely slept.
The distant explosion from the previous night lingered in his mind.
It wasn't close enough to threaten Kharim...
But it was close enough to matter.
---
The Outlaws were already awake.
Weapons checked.
Hovercraft inspected.
Crates tied down.
Someone was arguing over breakfast.
Another was asleep on top of supplies.
Munnu walked through camp.
"Roll call!"
One by one they answered.
"Here!"
"Present!"
"Still alive!"
"Barely!"
Laughter erupted.
Kai smiled.
They really did act like one big family.
Then—
"...Where's Jamil?"
Silence.
Another Outlaw looked around.
"He was with Sadiq yesterday."
"Sadiq?"
More silence.
Munnu frowned.
"Sadiq?"
Nobody answered.
The laughter disappeared.
Persia adjusted his glasses.
"They probably overslept."
"They never oversleep."
"They could've wandered off."
"They know better."
The atmosphere changed instantly.
---
Munnu's expression hardened.
"When did anyone last see them?"
A woman raised her hand.
"Last night."
"They said they were going to check something near the western dunes."
"Together."
Kai felt a chill.
Pairs.