Krystal started at T’arq, horrified. That could mean only one of two things: either the Xakul were trying something new, or anyone who had been captured like this had not survived to tell the tale.
Either option was not appealing.
“We have to get out of here.” The ship was dead in the water, but surely they could get it going again. Getting rid of the claw things would be a trickier task.
T’arq nodded. “We have to abandon the ship.”
He hadn’t just said what she thought he had said? He didn’t mean that they were to go out into space. Without the protection of even this little ship. She laughed nervously. “That headache must be worse than I thought. I could have sworn you said to abandon the ship.”
T’arq’s gaze held hers, his purple eyes steady and unblinking.
“No. Nope. Not going to happen.” She stepped back from him, punctuating her words with a swipe of her hand.
“We don’t have a choice, Krystal.” He rubbed his hand over his face. “Look. That stuff they blasted onto us? It’s tracking nano-bots. We can’t get rid of them. There’s an emergency stasis pod that we can use. It’s designed to transport dangerous prisoners, but you can use it.”
“What?” That sounded like a horrible idea. Being put to sleep with no idea if or where she would wake up. “No.”
“All right, then the other option is to suit up and hope that we get picked up before our oxygen runs out.”
Krystal’s legs gave out from under her, T’arq catching her in his arms before she hit the floor.
Big breaths. In and out. It’s going to be ok.
The repeated words ran through her head like a mantra. Closing her eyes, she clutched at the soft, but strong, fabric of T’arq’s flight suit with her fingers. His sheer mass was comforting. Surely nothing bad could happen when he was here to protect her?
Breathe. In and out.
The ship jerked again, and Krystal let out an involuntary scream.
“What’s it to be Krystal? Do we stay and get captured by the Xakul? Or do we get off this ship?”
