Lucas released her slowly and stepped back. "Right," he said. Then he turned toward the two bound cadets on the ground with an expression that had changed completely from the careful negotiating face he'd just been wearing.
This one was different.
Wide. The specific smile of someone who has just remembered something they're going to enjoy.
"First though," he said, looking at the two of them pleasantly, "our seniors here seem to be in quite the unfortunate situation." He tilted his head slightly, like he was considering it from a new angle.
"It really wouldn't be right to just leave them like this." He glanced back at Sylvia. "We should help them out properly. Show some respect to our seniors."
Sylvia looked at the two cadets on the ground.
Then at Lucas.
The corner of her mouth moved. Barely, just enough. She said nothing, which was its own kind of response.
Both cadets went completely rigid at the same moment.
