That was until the ship rocked a third time and all hell broke loose.
A tiny blond-haired scientist I recognized as part of the ecology branch of the team screamed, her face turning ashen. “It’s okay, Julia,” a brunette at her side said. “Keep going.”
“Don’t stop,” I shouted over the multitude of noises reverberating across the ship. It groaned and creaked as if ready to tear apart.
With prodding and cajoling the science team continued to move. Time held no meaning anymore, both slowing to a crawl and speeding by like a racing pod. When we emerged into the hangar bay, I took a deep breath.
“All right now.” Brielle stomped to get everyone’s attention. “We’re heading for the capsule over there.” She pointed to the emergency vessel that would shield the team and launch them into space. “You go in pairs. And you do not stop.” Holding up her blaster, she emphasized her point. “You will get on that ship.”
I held up my blaster too. “Go. We’ll cover you.”
Dr. Iris led the charge alone as the scientists paired off. Absently, I noted the blond and brunette from before holding hands and running for the capsule. My gaze fixed on every corner and crevice of the large hangar bay, seeking any threats. I didn’t know what I expected to find, but I needed somewhere to direct my roaring emotions. All that answered were more hits to the ship.How much can it take?I didn’t want to find out.
“You know how this works?” the chief said to the brunette.
The woman nodded. “Yes, Chief. I’ll take care of it.” She disappeared inside the ship.
“Good. Be safe,” Brielle called and helped the last of the scientists aboard while I stood watch. She turned to the doctor, “And you?”
The doctor remained with head high, bag still under her arm. “You already know my answer.”
Brielle’s smile held notes of sadness as she bowed her head at Dr. Iris. “Right.”
“Wait!” the brunette pushed her teammates aside to get back to the entrance. “Come with us.”
“Sorry.” The chief pushed the capsule door closed, sealing it shut. “Our duty is here.”
The brunette pounded on the small window. Only her fist showed, but her cries could be heard from behind the metal panels. “Don’t do this!”
“Take care of your team. Their safety is on you now.” Brielle turned her back on the vessel and stalked toward the doctor and me. She took up a fighting stance beside me, the doctor behind us. The hangar buzzed with unspent energy. “Be ready.” Bumping her shoulder into mine, she grinned a little less sad this time. “We can handle whatever comes.”
I laughed. The chief was ever the optimist, the doctor was a staunch realist, and with my penchant for jokes, we made quite the trio. “What if it’s sexy aliens ready to whisk us away?”
Dr. Iris snorted. “Statistically unlikely.” A hint of humor belied her next words. “But not impossible.”
“Eh.” Brielle shouldered her blaster and took aim at the closest entrance to the hangar bay. “Not with our luck.”
“Fair enough.” I readied my weapon, kneeling to target the stairwell entry. “Then again, they could just be trying to get in touch with us about our ship insurance. Holo-marketers are persistent.”
Brielle snort-chuckled. “You’re awful.”
“Bite your tongue.” I smacked her thigh with the back of my hand before placing it on my blaster again. “I am a comedic genius.”
“Well genius might be a stretch and as entertaining as this is—” the doctor began, but a final blast rocked the ship, sending her to her knees, me into her, and Brielle into me. We struggled to stand as the tremors continued, finally settling for crawling to a better position. The capsule launched behind us, breaking through the bay’s energy barrier and taking off for space.
“At least their safe,” the chief murmured. Her gaze tracked the last remnants of their launch. “The stealth shielding will hide their escape. That’s all that matters.”
The doctor hummed in agreement, and I concurred, but the churning in my gut would not abate. For although we completed our mission to save the science team, we had no idea what would happen next. The alarms died at last, and Captain Hunt came over the coms. “All hands, this is the captain. We are being attacked by unknown forces.” A poignant silence marked her next words. “Prepare for battle or use the escape pods. I leave the choice to each of you.” A screech reverberated over the line. Then, the captain’s loud shouts. “But, I will fight!”
The chief, the doctor, and I glanced at each other, and no words were needed. Rising to our feet, we stood back to back in a triangle formation. The doctor dropped her bag. Brielle handed her a blaster and dug out two laser-knives from her boots. If it were a choice between fight or flee, we wouldn’t abandon our friends.
Unfortunately, we never got our chance to make a stand. For through our ventilation system black smoke wafted into the hangar. It spread like wildfire, encapsulating the bay with frightening speed. We coughed it up and used our jumpsuits to cover our mouths, but it was no use. Between one breath and the next, Brielle collapsed with her weapons still clutched in her fists, and then the doctor, the blaster rolling from her grip. I tried like hell to resist, but the last thing I recalled was the crunch of metal and the outer wall of the bay folding like a tin can.
Then all went dark.
8
Elena
