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“What’s the hold-up?” came a male voice over the comm link.

Loka activated the communications on the ship. “The docking bay doors are jammed. We’re working on getting them open.”

“We have little time. Those cyborg bastards were on our tails after they found our hiding place.”

“If you can do this any faster, you’re welcome to try. We’re overriding the door locks.”

“Just hurry. I do not want to be caught by those cyborgs. They’ve lost the plot. One tried to rip my arm off.”

Loka cut the communication, irritated by the alien. Loka was putting his female at risk by attempting an escape.

He paused, and a smile traced across his face. His female. Despite Loka’s reluctance to become formally engaged in courtship, he considered Heather his. He wanted her to be. He had even proposed they run away together, despite not being ready for such irrational behavior. He didn’t feel able to provide a proper home, one that would satisfy his mate and their offspring. That didn’t seem so important, now Heather was by his side. Together, they could be happy.

A red light flashed by the docking bay doors. “Emergency override complete. Doors opening in thirty seconds.”

Loka’s heart clenched as he heard the automated announcement. Where was Heather? She needed to be inside the ship, or she’d be sucked out of the opening doors.

“Doors opening in twenty seconds.”

He stood from his seat, craning his neck to see Heather.

“Doors opening in ten, nine, eight.”

Footsteps sounded behind him.

“Close the ramp.” Heather shot through the door and collided with him.

Loka turned and hit the button to seal the airlock in the ship. He grabbed Heather’s shoulders. “You did it.”

“As if you had any doubt.” She grinned up at him.

“Of course not.”

She gave a little shrug. “Come on then; fly us out of here.”

They settled in their seats, waiting until the docking bay doors were open wide enough before sliding the ship into space.

Loka checked the flight dials, making sure everything held steady.

“I’ll try the comms,” Heather said. “Is it this button?”

Loka nodded. “Give me a few more seconds to get farther from the station. They might be blocking communications using a signal jammer. It could still affect us from this distance.”

Heather poked the button a couple of times. “I think you’re right. Nothing’s happening.”

“It worked between ships,” Loka said. “I was able to talk to the alien waiting in the ship behind us.” He watched as two ships overtook them, heading in the direction of the wormhole.

“Scan under way,” the ship said.

“Somebody is scanning us?” Heather looked over at Loka, alarm in her eyes.

He gritted his teeth. “Most likely whoever has taken over the space station. They must know what we’re doing.”

“Has the ship got shields? What if they attack?”

Loka scanned the panel. “There are basic defensive shields and lasers, nothing that would protect us from the station’s weapons.”

A blast of laser fire shot past their ship, taking out the ships that had overtaken them.