Then, beneath the fury: Lyrin's cold calculation. Vaelix's rapid tactical analysis. Kaedren's barely leashed violence.
They weren't just angry. They were dangerous.
Torvyn unmuted the transmission. "What do you want, Voss? We have injured and wounded on board. If you attack us, you will kill hundreds of innocents."
Voss waved that away. "Nobody cares about them except you. I want something else—something special." His gaze oozed over me like oil. "I want her. Back where she belongs."
"I don't belong to you," I spat.
"Your contract says otherwise, Doctor. And unlike these aliens, I know exactly how to handle you."
"You will never have her," Kaedren thundered, all four fists clenched.
"Try to take her." Lyrin's voice went cold, clinical—the warrior beneath the healer. "See what happens."
Vaelix's hands flew across his console. "Captain, all five frigates have activated their weapon systems."
"Then let them fire." Torvyn's words carried absolute certainty. "We've faced worse odds."
“Do I have a say in this?” I asked.
Torvyn swiped the transmission away, and the screen went black.
"Kira, you are free to do whatever you wish. You know this. But I implore you not to make any rash decisions. You are vitally important to this ship, this crew—to us. We need you."
My hands trembled. Four pairs of eyes watched me—four men who'd fought for me, sheltered me, made me feel seen for the first time in years. And I was about to walk away from all of it.
But what choice did I have? Let them die defending someone they barely knew?
My throat tightened. Tears burned behind my eyes. "I need you too. But I also need you safe, and right now, I'm endangering everyone here."
"We are strong. We can destroy five corporate frigates with ease," Kaedren said, smashing all four of his fists onto the banister in front of his station.
"Is that true, Torvyn? It was a corporate frigate that dropped me off on the planet you found me on. I toured that ship and know its weaponry. I know how strong its shields are. Be honest with me. Can you really defeat all of them and survive?"
Torvyn held my gaze for one heartbeat, then two. Then he looked away.
Shit.
We both knew Voss had outflanked them, and there was only one way to save everyone.
"Open the transmission, please, Vaelix," I said.
He stood stone-still, then looked at Torvyn. The captain nodded, just barely. Voss reappeared on screen. He opened his mouth to speak.
"Shut up and listen," I said. "If I willingly give myself up, will you let the Starbreaker go?"
Voss flashed me a toothy grin. "Of course, Doctor Vale. They will be free to go as soon as you are on board my ship."
"No harm will come to them?" I asked.
"I will not harm them," Voss said.
I nodded. "Okay. I will be there soon."
"You have an hour. If I don't see a shuttle on its way, I will destroy your filthy little ship and your disgusting little friends."
Torvyn cut the transmission and turned to face me. "You know he is lying, right?"
