“That will be difficult,” the pilot said. “On foot with Xenmar overhead watching for us. We need transport and that is this direction.”
Tim nodded, mulling whether to question the man about their whereabouts in the wider universe. He decided against it for now. They’d been forced to work together. That did not make them friends.
“Wait for us!” The order was imperative, but Valsa lacked the ability to enforce any command.
It was hard for Tim to feel the need to slow down for either of them. At the same time, he had a feeling that Riina wouldn’t approve of him just abandoning them to their fate. She had a kinder view than he did. There was also the other fact that he might need the big one at some point, either for knowledge or as a hostage.
Their attacker might trade information and safe passage for him, or Valsa’s own people might be held off if they turned out to be hostile, too.
He glanced at the pilot. Or they might just shoot him themselves.
“Where is this transport located? How far away is it?” Tim asked.
The pilot looked away. “It won’t be easy to get there.” He glanced back again. “Be faster without them.”
Tim nodded agreement. No question it would be easier and faster.
“But we might need him,” Tim said, not looking at the pilot.
When the pilot didn’t speak, Tim did look in his direction. He nodded thoughtfully.
“He’s got to be the worst hostage ever though,” the pilot said.
It was a truth that Tim couldn’t argue with.
“The smaller guy is armed.” Tim looked back again. Both men were visibly puffing and panting.
“We should take it away from him.”
“Yes,” Tim said, but he was looking around. They needed a way to keep the two moving, or they wouldn’t be worth the risk. “If you can, get it.”
“What are you going to do?”
“Find a way to transport them. They are slowing us down.”
19
“Something’s changed.”
Riina looked at Trac, then down at the consoles in front of her.
Their ship’s status go lights were coming on.
“Our systems are coming back online,” she said, not even trying to hide her relief. “When can we get in the air?”
They needed to get back into contact with Tim. She needed to see Tim with her eyes and not just sensors, though it was a relief to see his tracking device show up on her screen again.
“What’s that?” Lt. Dish said.
Riina looked up and back, saw the lieutenant was pointing outside and turned to look.
“Someone,” Trac said, “is firing at Tim’s location. Or close to his location.”
“We need to get in the air now,” Riina said, knew she did a poor job of muting her sense of urgency.
“Are you sure…” Drun began.
Riina cut him off. “I’m very sure.” She turned to Trac. “Get us airborne. I’m going to change.”
