The problem with working in groups, Vila thought, was that you had other people relying on you to get the job done. In the past, he had stolen what he wanted for himself. Sure, he had shared his takings with others on occasion, but generally the only who got let down when he failed was him.

Working with Blake was rewarding in its own way. Though he didn’t get monetary gain from most of their attacks, he felt like he was part of something bigger, really helping to change the world. That beat buying himself a fancy new lock pick with stolen money. But it also meant that when he failed, he was letting the whole rebellion down.

There was a weak link in Blake’s chain, and Vila knew it was him. They didn’t need Servalan or Travis or a legion of Federation troopers to take Blake down. Just Vila, failing to pick this lock in time or shoot that guard quickly enough, would do. One more cock-up on his part, and he could do the work of a hundred Federation officers. It would make him feel powerful, if only he didn’t hate the prospect so much. He wasn’t cut out for this sort of thing and everyone seemed to know it but Blake. For some reason, Blake trusted him and believed in him. It kept Vila going, trying, but he imagined it would only lead to the end of Blake; perhaps the end of all of them.

“You have approximately ten seconds until those guards return,” Avon growled from behind him, as if reading his mind. “So, unless it is your intention to get us all killed, I suggest you get on with it!”

Concentrating on his work again, Vila managed to break the security lock with six seconds to spare. With Avon’s help he hauled the heavy door aside, revealing Blake, who sprang to his feet upon seeing them, donning a grin.

“Vila! To the rescue once again,” he cried triumphantly, clapping an affectionate hand on his shoulder. “I don’t know what we would do without you!”

“Probably not land us in these messes in the first place,” Avon retorted, handing Blake a gun.

But Vila didn’t even hear him; Blake thought he was worth it, and no matter what happened in the future, that was good enough for Vila for now.