“Why can’t I use the controls?” Loris demanded.
“No registered pilot is on board. All systems have reverted to automatic control.”
Automatic control meant they’d have no say in where they went next. Definitelynota good thing.
Loris cursed and demanded the system grant her an override. The AI refused. All the while, they continued to plummet toward the unknown planet.
Loris kept arguing, but all the AI would tell her was that the shuttle was descending to the planet below.
“At least tell me where we’re going?” Loris demanded while Maddison’s mind raced. How had everything gone so wrong so quickly?
“This shuttle will descend to the planet below. Name unknown.”
“And what system is this planet in?”
“Current location calculated. System name unknown.” It spewed a series of coordinates Maddison didn’t recognize.
“Whose territory are we in?” Loris asked before Maddison could.
“This shuttle is two hundred light-years from its expected course. All territory in this sector is claimed by the verexi.”
Oh shit.
Maddison’s throat closed up with fear but not before she made a small, terrified sound. The verexi? That shouldn’t be possible. TheBountiful Harvestshouldn’t have been anywhere near the territory of that vile and xenophobic species.
Maddison gripped her hands tightly in her lap and fought against her tears. This wasn’t the first time her life had gone to hell. She’d survived too much to give up now. Whatever happened, she’d find a way to make it through.
She glanced at her friend and then back at the still unconscious woman strapped in behind her.Theywould survive this. Together.
CHAPTER 4
The terrain changedas they journeyed onward. Over time, the trees thinned, and the thick underbrush gave way to open ground. The ground sloped upward, indicating they had reached the foothills they’d been aiming for since first light.
Vengeance accelerated yet again, forcing Havoc and Risk to play catch-up or be left behind. They wouldn’t be able to hold that pace for long, not with the sun so close to setting. Havoc didn’t need to check the time to know they were running out of daylight. The sky was awash with color, and once that faded to darkness, they’d have to stop for the night.
They were too far from familiar territory to continue once night fell. They had no idea what predators might have claimed this area as their hunting ground. Besides, they’d need to rest for at least a few hours before the last leg of this trek. That would be a hard slog up andover the hills that divided this part of the planet from whatever lay beyond. None of them had come this far before now, and he wondered what his clan-brothers had discovered on the other side. They might not have reached the crash site yet, but they should be over the divide by now.
The setting sun painted the world in shades of flame by the time they slowed and began looking for a place to camp. The warm light was one of the things he appreciated about this place. The moon where they’d been imprisoned had been stark, cold, and barren of life. When they were allowed outside, their time was spent beneath protective domes, surrounded by a black sky and a gray, lifeless landscape. This might be a prison full of dangerous creatures, but at least it was visually appealing. After all he’d endured in his life, he knew the value of appreciating the little things. Sometimes, small moments were all you got.
Risk pulled up short and gestured up the hill. “Tell me that’s what I think it is.”
It took only a second for Havoc to spot the reason for his brother’s reaction. In the dying light, he saw a gleam of metal. Then he saw a familiar shape, one with sharp lines and a smooth surface that had to be artificial.
“A ship!” Vengeance stated.
“It’s some kind of vessel,” Havoc agreed before voicing his concerns. While it was possible that this was another escape vessel, it could also be an old wreck or something more dangerous… like another mercenary vessel. “But how long has it been there? Bysshe said they only saw three escape pods on the scans, and this isn’t anywhere near where the big ship went down.”
Vengeance snarled. “No more plans! You’re too fucking cautious.”
He growled at his brother and missed whatever Risk said next. He only heard the last few words. “…it’s a ship. That means possible supplies and salvage,” Risk said.
It was the same fight they’d had earlier. Havoc barked a frustrated laugh and shot a knowing look at Risk. “You’re hoping it can still fly. Aren’t you?”
Risk tugged on one of his horns and shrugged. “Maybe. We should still check it out.” Then he turned and pointed at Vengeance.
“But slowly. If females are around, charging in there will scare them. Especially if yours is the first face they see.”
Vengeance grumbled but didn’t continue the argument. Instead, he went with the joke. “You calling me ugly?”
