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“You’re coming with me?”

His pace didn’t slow. “I will.”

“Really?”

“I would not leave you to go into space on your own. You said you were not a seasoned traveler. The shuttles have a degree of automation, but they still need someone to guide them.”

“What about everybody else? We can’t abandon the station, not with others still on it.”

Loka’s mouth twisted. Hoan was out there somewhere. If he left, all his research would be ruined as would his mother’s DNA. But Heather needed protecting. “They’re fighting their own battles. We cannot help them.”

“Says who? What if we can? What if there are hundreds of humans trapped in the holding cells? We have no clue what’s going to happen to them.”

“Leave that for somebody else.”

“Loka. Wait! What if there is nobody else? What if we’re the only ones still free? Haven’t you noticed how deserted this place is?”

This made Loka slow. The corridors were empty. The lights were still on an emergency setting. He could tell the heating had stopped working; the air felt chilled. Maybe they were the only ones. If that was the case, then all the more reason to get away as quickly as possible. He did not want to put Heather at any more risk.

“When we are safely away from the station, we can run scans and see who is left,” Loka said. “If there are survivors, we can arrange for backup.”

“Backup might be too late.”

“They will do a better job than we can on our own. I thought you’d like the idea of leaving together.”

Heather sighed, seeming resigned to the fact he was going to carry her no matter what she said. “I don’t hate it. But we’re not together. Not really. Not the way I understand it.”

“What if we were?” Loka talked quickly before he had a chance to consider his words. “Your idea of finding a piece of space paradise and setting up home is appealing. Once my project is finished, I can join you on a permanent basis.”

“What about your research?”

“My research can take place anywhere. Would you like to set up home with me?”

“I, well, I’m not sure.”

Disappointment flooded through Loka. It had been a long shot, trying to tempt Heather away with the meager things he offered.

He was not a high-ranking scientist, and he hadn’t made a name for himself. He had only a dozen papers published. Three of those were in collaboration with others. Of course, Heather wouldn’t want to be with him. He was nothing and a nobody.

She must feel contempt or pity for him at offering her such an unappealing alternative. She’d made it clear she’d rather stay on a damaged space station surrounded by her enemy than go anywhere with him.

“Put me down,” Heather said softly.

“I walk faster than you do.”

“I need to be able to look at you when we’re having this conversation. As much as I’m enjoying the view of your lovely rear end, this is important.”

Loka swung Heather off his shoulder and set her on her feet.

She grabbed his arm as they continued to walk alongside each other. “Listen, it’s not that I’m not grateful. The idea of setting up my dream home with you is a tempting one.”

He looked at her out of the corner of his eye. “It is?”

“Sure. Why not? I know you will take care of me. You left two cyborgs in my room who aren’t ever getting up.”

“I have these.” His hands brushed his horns. “Picars know how to use their weapons. I have not been trained like others. My skills lie in the microscope.”

“Which is sort of hot. Hotter than being a fighter.”