Jenna nodded. Despite her unskilled shooting, she’d already managed to bring down at least half a dozen soldiers. If she survived this, the reality of it would likely sicken her.
But for now, she didn’t let herself go there.
Isla didn’t look concerned about killing any Mir-Ferrin who blocked her path.
The elevator slid to a halt, the doors flew open—and Obsidian launched itself into the entrance hall beyond.
28. KILL OR BE KILLED
JENNA HAD BEEN correct about the welcoming committee.
Around ten soldiers guarded the entrance hall.
But, even so, the suddenness of Obsidian’s attack threw them.
Toting two laser-rifles, the battle-droid swept its fire in a wide arc, mowing down the bronze-clad figures as they charged it.
Isla was right behind, shooting in Obsidian’s wake, while Jenna and Bea brought up the rear.
Pulse roaring in her ears, Jenna looked left to the armored doors leading out to the landing bay beyond.
They were open—although one of the soldiers was moving toward the control panel next to the doors.
Jenna’s heart lurched, panic clawing up her throat. He was going to seal them in. They needed to reach the escape tunnel fast.
She fired on him, hitting the man in the throat. He went down, and Isla took out the next soldier who moved in the direction of the doors.
Laser bolts scored the gilded wall next to the women, so close that the heat from one scorched the skin of Jenna’s shoulder.
Ducking, she moved in closer to Obsidian, inching forward as the droid continued its deadly sweep.
More laser bolts slid by the battle-droid’s guard, setting fire to the wall this time. Thick black smoke poured into the entrance hall. It stung the back of Jenna’s throat, and she coughed.
Behind her, Bea whimpered. Jenna shuffled back, putting an arm around her niece’s shoulder. Gods, she wished she could spare the girl this.
Meanwhile, she didn’t dare shift her attention from the rapidly dwindling numbers of Mir-Ferrin soldiers, and the doorway, which still seemed yards away.
Choking, toxic smoke filled the entrance hall, and anxiety started to beat its fists against Jenna’s breastbone. They had to get out of here.
Obsidian moved left, lurching toward the door—and the two women and child behind the droid shadowed it.
An instant later, they were through, and as soon as Bea was clear, Obsidian jammed a fist into the control panel.
The door closed, just as armored bodies slammed up against it.
The crackle of frying circuitry followed, and smoke curled out from the control panel.
“How long will that keep them at bay?” Jenna panted.
“I estimate around twenty minutes,” Obsidian replied. “That door has three layers of Lazda steel. It will take them a while to burn a hole in it.”
“Good,” Isla replied, her tone clipped. She then turned to Jenna, her gaze glinting. “Now, where—”
The rapid tattoo of detonating laser bolts cut Isla off, and she whirled around, pistol raised. Jenna followed suit, while Obsidian stalked forward to shield them.
Peering around her protector, Jenna looked across the vast gilded space, past the central core, to where a squad of Mir-Ferrin marines had bailed someone up. The huddle was in the far corner of the landing bay, at the end of a row of shiny bronze shuttles.
Her breathing hitched when she saw a dark-haired man lurch out from behind one of the parked shuttles and fire upon them with a laser-rifle.
