I look out at empty space. I’m screwed if I miss and my boots cut out.
After a deep breath, I disconnect myself and push off of the portal like the other Titans, sending my body out across open space. I kick on my boots, launching me with the terrifying rush of a hot blade through flesh.
Then, to my relief, the BoltBurner uncloaks, and a gorgeous glint of wings launches off of it toward the BlazeStar. My visor focuses the view so I can watch Armor gather up ejected Titans and carry them to the ship’s hull.
The Chaoses and others I’ve been working with follow suit and collect who they can. I snag the hand of a small Titan named Tumble.
CO 952>>Tumble: Status?
Tumble>>CO 952: Cold as shit, but I’ll survive. Thanks for the lift. The females are not so lucky.
I fly us through the sealscreen of an opening hanger and land inside with the other Titans, who carry their Brothers and frozen women. “I’m going to go see if I can help with the puncture.”
Tumble takes my tether. “Follow me.”
We run out into the hallway and hike a set of large spiral stairs to an open compartment.
“Mother won’t let us near the injury without another airlock in place.” Tumble closes us in a room beside the damaged section. When the life support has been reclaimed, the door to the torn compartment opens.
Armor cries out in pain as he struggles where his wing is suctioned against a bulkhead door. Several Titans in Starjumper suits try to free him.
“Disconnect it!” he growls as crates of supplies drift around the semi-weightless environment. “It’s the only way we can stop the bleeding right now!”
I run to him, climb up onto his shoulder, and find the mechanical switches for his wings. I disconnect the stuck wing, and Armor stumbles to his other side under the weight of his last.
“Take it,” he rasps to his Brothers in the low oxygen. Ice crystals have formed on his broken Starjumper’s suit.
I hesitantly disconnect it, and the other Titans, Tumble included, brace it in front of the second cracked bulkhead door and let it go. It seals the room and brings the depressurization to a standstill.
I try to help Armor up, but it takes two other Titans to assist.
“I need a new suit.”
“Armor,” Chaos says. “You’re in no condition to fight.”
Armor stands and snarls at him. “I will not sit and watch my Brothers and Sisters die like this!”
He motions to the bodies of frozen women drifting by us.
I look away and swallow down my urge to cry.I’m so sorry.
“I can fight,” Armor defends. “Just because I don’t have mydesignedpurpose anymore doesn’t mean I can’t be useful another way.”
“Your shield doesn’t work?” I ask him.
“Very limited.” Armor draws me close. “I can only protect myself and one or two other people without my wings. Until we get this mess sorted and cleaned up, my wings need to stay here and help Mother keep her insides inside.”
Chaos helps him into another room. I follow behind them, staying as close to Armor as I can, relieved he is back in one piece.
Out in the hallway, we stop to let Rebel pass us with a stretcher holding Thruster. Another one trails behind with Karambit.
I can’t help but reach out a hand and brush Karambit’s shoulder, remembering fixing his middle finger. “It’s not fair.”
Armor corrals me against him with an arm. “It’s just the nature of war. If anyone can save them, it’s Rebel.”
Amp>>Local: Incoming message from Commander of Aidrithin, Mothership.
Amp>>Local: You can surrender or die.
