They gave the ships as wide a berth as possible. They couldn’t go too far or they wouldn’t reach theNomadbefore the radiationgot them. The clock was ticking. He frowned. They’d still be cutting it close, and they’d have to get way too close to the laser fire.
Another fierce barrage of fire was traded between the ships. Then Justyn saw a port open on the cuttership.
“Shit! Ion missile.”
Nissa gasped.
The missile rocketed out of its launch bay, headed straight for the bridge of theNomad. Justyn’s lungs constricted.
It was a direct hit. TheNomad’sshield flared to brilliant life in shimmering silver.
Remnants of the missile rained down in a shower of fiery sparks.
“Yes!” Nissa yelled.
“Come on, Captain Smooth. Let’s get out of here.”
But seconds later, the closest ship spotted them.
Justyn’s stomach turned hard as space rock as he watched the ship’s laser cannons turn their way.
“They won’t shoot us.” He hoped. “They want the Constitution.”
Laser fire whizzed past them.
Close.
Too fucking close.
“Apparently, I was wrong. Forget about stealth. Aim straight for theNomad.” He urged more speed from his skimmer. “As fast as you can, Nissa.”
“I’m right behind you.”
TheNomadwas bringing more weapons online. He watched the bank of plasma cannons firing up to join the fight.
Plasma fire tore into the ship that had been firing on them. The ship started spinning out of control.
In their direction.
“Nissa!”
“I see it.”
The ship was moving too damn fast. It loomed large above them.
Then it exploded.
Justyn ducked his head, pressing his body as close to the skimmer as he could.Shit, shit, shit.
Then Nissa’s desperate cry echoed in his helmet.
“Nissa!” He cast a frantic glance over his shoulder.
A piece of debris from the ship had hit her. One of her hands had slipped off the controls, her body lifting off the machine.
“Hang on.” He wrenched his skimmer into a tight turn.
“I…can’t…reach…” Her gaze collided with his. Even separated by their helmets, he saw the emotions churning in her wide eyes.
