“No.” Velda looked a little pained. “Some panels were damaged in the fight with Sylvester and company.”
“We’ll work it out. Let’s get everyone off.” He couldn’t wait for that. He’d been thinking of it for a long time. It was time to dump their baggage and go.
Linao liftedboth hands as Ethan stepped into her cell, laz trained directly on her.
Velda stood behind him, and Linao slid her a look. “I got you to the launch bay runner, that has to count.”
“You did,” Velda agreed. “If you cooperate, you won’t get shot.”
“Cooperate?” Linao looked quizzical.
“You’re going over to the warship.” Ethan jerked the laz, indicating for her to move. “If you hurry, you might be able to take it over.”
“Not a bad option,” Linao decided. “And everyone else?”
“All unconscious or dead,” Velda told her. “Up to you what happens to them. You’re the only one left walking.”
Linao ducked her head, and Velda thought she looked thrilled.
She wondered if she was aware they were close to Fjern, and decided she probably was. That must have been what was on her mind when she shared her story about Fjern with Brink.
They herded her to the launch bay. They’d already hauled all the other bodies across, working as fast as they could and leaving Linao until last. She was too tricky for them to do it any other way.
She eyed the tunnel. Turned. “Through there?”
“Yes.” And something about the way she said it made Velda sure she was thinking of running back through as soon as they had their backs turned.
She may have looked thrilled with the idea of going over to the warship as the last person walking, but Velda guessed she’d weighed up the odds and decided taking back the Raptor from the two of them would be easier than taking on Nirro and his warriors.
“Fine.” Linao stepped into the tunnel. “See you around.”
“Not if I can help it.” Ethan had never liked her, and now he wasn’t trying to hide it.
Linao laughed at him and walked away, disappearing into the Caruson warship.
“She’s going to try to sneak back,” Velda murmured.
“I got that, too.” Ethan eyed the tunnel. “There’s no way to stop entry on this side.”
“No. I’ll stand guard, you move us away.” She was far less capable when it came to flying a ship. At least Ethan had some experience.
“Shoot to kill from now on.” Ethan pulled her close, kissed her temple, and then strode away.
The door had only just closed behind him, and she was still studying the laz strength settings, when someone exploded out of the tunnel.
She lifted her weapon, but they were moving too quickly for her to aim.
A Caruson.
She felt a wave of panic and jumped straight up, not her brightest move, but the soldier slowed in surprise and she was ready to shoot as she came down.
She hit him, but he was wearing armor and he grabbed her as she landed.
He batted the laz out of her hand and it landed on the ground and slid away. The silver balls seemed to be on fire in her veins. Wherever her skin touched the Caruson’s, she felt a flare of heat.
His hands clenched a little tighter on her, and then he stumbled back, stared at her out of eyes that had gone blank.
“Who else is coming through?” she asked, wondering if he even spoke her language.
