Touching his nose one last time to reassure himself that it wasn’t broken, Rufus stifled the wince as best he could. His face hurt all over. He had to give that girl the credit for being able to kick a door hard enough to knock him down. Now if they could get past the clumsiness. His eyes moved between the two, taking in their suggestions and giving them due consideration. He’d come to trust the instincts of his Turks while sick if not before. Sabra struck him as qualified and attentive, a capable woman, something most welcome.

“I agree. It would be best to meet up with the others. Lead on.”

He waved a hand towards the rest of the town, having no idea in which direction the station lay. His first concern had been contact those that were always at his side. Rufus’ gaze narrowed on Lorelei, her expression not a welcome one. Fear would do them no good, especially in this odd place. A frightened Turk wasn’t something he was used to dealing with either. Something had caused that change in her from worried to what looked to him as flat out scared. That had to be squelched right off. Stepping past Sabra to near Lorelei, he leaned as close to her.

“We’re armed, Turk. Get ahold of yourself,” he said quietly but firmly, stressing the word ‘Turk’. “I don’t remember if you all were regarded as much next to the SOLDIERs in your time, but in mine, my Turks are feared and fearless. Reno told me that I was safe in your hands, and I expect you to not let him or me down. Whatever got in your head to spook you needs to be forgotten. You have a job to do, so do it.”

Stepping away, he turned to Sabra, smoothing down his overcoat and trying to conceal the bloodstain as if he had said nothing more to Lorelei than asking how the weather was. He gestured again for her to lead.

“If you wish, I can catch you two up to date on what has happened since your… leaving.”