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Loka threw himself into the room. He slammed the panel with his hand, and the door sealed shut behind him.

“Is there a problem, Princess?” Ernie scuttled over to Heather.

She scooped him into her arms. “Cyborgs.” The word came out high-pitched and squeaky.

“I’ll lock the door. It will buy us a little time.” Loka secured the door.

“It won’t hold them off for long. If they want to get to us, they can slam right through that door.” Heather clutched Ernie to her chest.

“It will give us time to summon back up.” Loka strode to the comm panel on the wall. “Loka to Hoan.”

The panel buzzed and hummed, sounding like it was straining to work.

“Hoan here.”

Heather let out a relieved sigh.

“Are there any cyborgs on the ship who have not been compromised?”

“We’ve found a few.”

“We need them in Heather’s quarters. Cyborgs are attacking.”

“You...what...back.”

“Say again.” Loka thumped a hand on the wall.

“The comms still aren’t working properly,” Heather said. “Hoan might not have heard the whole message.” She jumped at the sound of something slamming against the locked door. “They’re here.”

“Into your bedroom.” Loka ushered her in front of him, sealing the door shut behind them once they were inside. “What weapons do you have in here? Knives? Lasers? Anything?”

Heather shook her head. “Nothing. I’ve never needed to defend myself before.”

Loka’s claws sprung from his fingers. Impressive three-inch curved talons that could shred flesh. Heather wasn’t sure what damage they could do to titanium.

“How did you get away from the cyborgs?”

“The element of surprise. It won’t work again. I hit them and then chased after you.”

Heather grasped his arm, seeing a trickle of blood run down his forearm and drip on the floor. “You’ve been injured.”

“It’s nothing that can’t be fixed.”

“Maybe I should go with them.” Heather swallowed, hating the idea. “They don’t want to hurt me. Maybe all they’re doing is rounding up the humans until they get their next orders.”

“What if that order is to kill you?” Loka shook his head. “Or sell you off? We can’t take the risk. We’re not being separated.”

Heather looked down at Ernie. “I have him.”

“Your tiny bot will be no good to us.”

“This one’s special.” She patted Ernie on the head before setting him on the ground. “He has built-in weapons. His laser will damage the cyborgs if set to maximum. It could give us a chance to escape and get back up.”

“Use your bot. Make sure he protects you.”

Heather jumped at the sound of metal being ripped open. “They’re getting in.” She knelt beside Ernie. “Set stun to maximum. Aim for the cyborgs’ neck and head interface. Keep shooting. Transfer all power to stun. Do you understand?”

“Affirmative.” Ernie’s light glowed red for a second before returning to green. “Stun set to maximum.”