Don’t flinch. Don’t wince. Don’t fight.
Think.
I bit my lip, batting my eyelashes.
Think, think, think.
My chest hammered, my body begging to obey, but a memory blinked into focus, sharp and bright:Starlight Dominion, long ago. Kaleb sat at the head of the table, grinning like he always did when he had trapped our crew in a nearly impossibly scenario.
Conan snarled and bared his teeth as Kaleb laid out the scenario. But we waited, thought it through, and considered everything.
Victor’s hands on me felt cool, and Vorthain’s even colder presence pressed into the back of my skull. My body wanted to fold, while my mind… remembered.
I ran through my stats like a Navigator scanning a character sheet.
Strength: 3 (barely enough to resist)
Willpower: 15 (temporary +3 for focus)
Stealth: 10 (bonus: conceal emotions)
Charm: 12 (roll to distract Alpha with flattery +3)
It was my turn to roll.
Option A: Fight him directly. Auto-fail; I’d lose.
Option B: Freeze. Risk detection; I’d be caught.
Option C: Use dialogue, misdirection, and timing.
