Elara did not look at Elias after his explanation landed wrong.
That was how Elias knew it had landed very wrong.
Kimi sat forward like someone had opened a gift in front of her. Yusuke looked toward the cabin wall with the discipline of a man refusing to become involved. Yui stared at Elias with the flat disappointment of an instructor watching a recruit fail a door handle.
"That sentence will haunt the mission recording," Yui said. "Please speak less while we are airborne."
Elias felt heat climb his neck. "I meant the exosuit fit, not anything else, and every person here knows that."
Elara pressed a launch command before anyone could answer.
The craft kicked forward hard enough to pin Elias into the seat. The harness caught his chest. His stomach tried to stay behind on the rooftop.
Dot's grabbed the edge of his collar with both tiny hands. "She used the acceleration to end the conversation, and I respect the cruelty of that decision."
