James knew he was right, and he also knew the problem with it. Kael was not ready to climb and pushing him would only repeat the mistake that had already cost them once. Aria had retired and was not coming back. Elliot was dead. The version of Team Zero that had cleared Floor 9 first in the world did not exist anymore, and rebuilding it was not something they could do by wishing it back into shape.
"Then we look for people," James said. "Now. We still use random teammates for the next floor if we have to, but we start looking for permanent members today, not after 14."
"Agreed." Finn rubbed his face with one hand. "Two things, then. Clear 13 and 14 quick before the gap gets worse. And find people we can actually trust before we stand in front of whatever's on 15."
