Page 109 of Star-Crossed Captive
Splash.Everything stopped.
Chapter forty
ThecockpitoftheCORE freighter gleamed black and beige. Mace strode to the pilot’s seat, Grey beside him. Nervousness exuded from the techies as they took their places on the narrow bench at the back. A bulky beast, the freighter was made for transporting cargo, not passenger comfort.
Cache’s eyes assessed her techies as she sat in one of the two crew seats on the side, Spiro taking the other. That left Betel to slide between Newton and Callista.
Mace touched the control for the comm, keeping it audio only. “We’re ready to depart, Admiral.”
It only took a moment for Krispin to respond. “Safe journey. Out.”
Grey monitored the ship’s systems while Mace engaged engines. Once fully powered, Mace flew them away from the fleet, trying to keep his focus. They hit maximum speed, and an alert stillness settled over the eight of them.
The resulting silence made Mace’s mind wander. Ever since he’d realized Nia’s transport had departed, his chest ached. If it hadn’t been for this mission and his fear for his sister, he would have been a useless mess—whether it acknowledged a weakness or not.
The urge to find Nia wherever she landed and ask her to return consumed most of his thoughts. If she would even consider the possibility, she could come back on her own terms, ask for amnesty and receive sponsorship from Admiral Krispin. Then Mace could ask her to marry him properly.
His body stilled.Shit.He hadn’t divorced her when she was emancipated. Why hadn’t the processor said anything? He wiped a hand over his face. It probably had to do with the threats he’d given her if she spoke of Nia’s emancipation to anyone.
Obtaining a proper divorce was as good a reason as any to go after his wife. A small grin stole over his face.
Cache spoke over his shoulder, jerking him from his thoughts. “Radio silence in five people.”
Mace nodded, then cut the feeds. Time to focus on the mission.
Over an hour later, theMercenarydropped out of maximum speed behind them. Its first shot hit them dead-on, the sound cracking through the cockpit. The freighter shuddered. The Destroyer fired again, a terminal popping with sparks beside Mace.
“Shit.” Grey tapped at the controls. “I know you told Ionadi to make it look good, but come on.” They all rocked with another hit.
Mace tried to keep the ship steady and on course, but the navigation systems were out of whack.
“There’s something off in the engine room,” Grey said. “Not getting clear readings.”
“Betel, Grey, go check it out,” Cache ordered. She took Grey’s spot when they’d left. “Environmental is on the fritz.” Her fingers ran over the terminal.
Five minutes later, Grey signaled the cockpit. “It’s not good. We’ve got a leak in the engine casing, and we’re venting atmosphere.”
“Can you fix it?” Cache asked.
“Betel’s using sealant right now. It’ll slow the air loss, not halt it altogether. The only way to fix this behemoth is at a space dock.”
“Do what you can, then return. We need to close all the hatches to save air.” Cache leaned back. “At least she stopped firing.”
TheMercenaryhit them again, everyone bucking forward.
Mace raised an eyebrow at her. “You spoke too soon.”
She smiled, her green eyes ablaze, then laughed outright. “I probably should have let Ionadi win poker last night. She’s always been a sore loser.”
Grey strode through the hatch and Cache rose. She didn’t return to her seat but remained standing between theirs. Once all eight members of the crew were accounted for, Mace sealed the door, and rerouted all the oxygen to the cockpit.
“How much atmosphere do we have left?” Callista asked from the bench, her voice wavering slightly.
Mace checked the environmental panel. “Enough to get us there, but just barely. No deep breaths people.” He accelerated them away from theMercenary, and the warship followed.
He kept his hands on the controls, hoping theMercenarywouldn’t take another shot. From the warnings flashing along the panel, he didn’t know if the freighter could take it.
Their aggressive escort kept pace until the two Guardians in front of the minefield came into visual range. TheMercenaryimmediately broke of its pursuit. One of the Guardians pursued it, the other aimed its weapons at the freighter.
