With some reluctance, he brought that filter online in his consciousness and began to look for familiar clues.
“None of these craft are space capable,” Tim said, hoping for a change of direction. Seeing piles of junk wasn’t helpful.
“Right, of course. I just wanted you to know we have the parts, the tech,” the big one said.
And he was stalling, hoping something would crack Tim’s systems. He turned and looked at the big one, caught him staring at Tim.
The big man started back, his eyes on Tim’s face.
Had he finally noticed Tim’s cybernetic optical?
“Take us to range four,” the big one said.
Tim felt the flyer adjust course, and he added this information into what he was collecting. He would need to be able to find his way back.
It didn’t take long, despite the clunky flyer’s jerky progress. So, they’d been close to the good stuff, Tim decided. And then he stiffened.
Ahead of him was a Q’uy vessel, one not that much unlike the Najer.
While Tim had been close to the hull, they’d been able to tap into his communications with the aliens. And they’d been able to see the attack.
Riina might be surprised by Tim’s moderate response. She had the feeling that Trac was.
“He needs intel,” Riina said. “Or we’re stuck here.”
Trac made a sound that might have been agreement.
Her console pinged with a communication from the bay.
“Yes?”
It was Dr. Walker.
“People are getting a little restless, a little agitated back here.”
This wasn’t a surprise. They’d been terrified, strapped in and terrified some more, and now they were without input about their current situation.
She wished she knew what their situation was.
She unstrapped and rose, moving to the hatch and opening it.
Faces—white strained faces—turned toward her.
“I expect you are hungry and in need of,” she felt her cheeks flush, “private time. We don’t have a lot of facilities but what we have, you can use. You’ll just need to take turns.”
Some of the faces looked relieved at the hope of getting relief. She should have thought of that. But her suit took care of those things while she had it on.
“Dr. Walker and Lira, is it?”
The woman tucked in close to the geologist nodded and for the first time, Riina saw the bird. It was perched on her shoulder. How on earth…?
“It’s T’Korrin,” Lira said. “He goes where I go.”
And then, as if to prove her wrong, it flew into the cockpit. Lira blinked.
“Mostly, he goes where I go.” And then she grinned, transforming her face.
So that’s why Dr. Walker wants her as his side-chick, Riina thought. She smiled back.
