Izkry did his best to keep things from becoming too tense.  He encouraged their various teammates to speak of things they liked, worries that were entirely unrelated to the war, things they were fond of, and all the things that, he hoped, would help them to think of themselves as a team and not a bunch of strangers thrown together.  Talking grew harder when they reached the higher altitudes, but it wasn't bad enough for him to abandon the effort.  It became quite cold as well, and he was glad of the warm coat and gloves Belasý insisted he wear.  He tried a couple times to speak to her softly, but she'd retreated into her own thoughts, and made no effort to respond.

For her part, she was paying attention more or less to the conversation, but focused far more on what was to come.  When the copilot said it was time to jump, she did not hesitate for even an instant.  She had her harness off even before he had opened the door to the roaring wind, and as soon as Ms. Dubois was out the door she was moving to follow.

Izkry shook his head.  "I'll see you all on the ground!" he shouted, and then with a deep breath to steady his nerves he leaped after.  Wind rushed past his ears, and he was glad of the goggles that protected his eyes.  The city below was dark, even though he knew it was there, and it was hard to make out any features of the land.  Bel might be able to make out something, her vision was a bit better than his, but he wasn't sure of that.  Either way, he tilted himself to plummet after the barely visible outline of his sister.  The drop wasn't so bad.  Sort of fun, if you didn't think about what was coming.  After all, it wasn't falling that killed you.  It was hitting the ground.