Angelo Thirteen’s heart raced. “Mortimer, assessment.”
“Something hit the ship. Structural damage in pod nine.”
Pushing against the metal wall, he struggled to stand. A quick glance at the vid-monitor displayed a large piece of metal floating past Wanderer, remnants of some other ship’s broken hull. Space garbage. His good luck had run out.
His stomach clenched. “Mortimer, can you fix it?”
“Negative. Full containment breach in thirty seconds.”
A ball of fear formed in Angelo Thirteen’s gut. Would they all die? Concern for his crew tightened the coil into a hard rock. He gripped the edge of his chair. Wanderer flipped upside down and continued its slow roll. Screams intensified.
“Mortimer, disengage pods in twenty seconds.”
He stretched toward the console. With the tip of his finger, he flipped on the com switch. “Crew! Pods will disengage in eighteen seconds. Secure yourself in the nearest pod and close the hatch. Prepare for launch.”
Down the hallway, Chad Seven gripped a com unit attached to the wall. As he tried to pull himself toward the bridge, the muscles in his face contorted, his lips white with strain. Angelo Thirteen’s throat constricted. His co-pilot wouldn’t make it here in time.
Angelo Thirteen waved him away. “Go with the terraformers. Now!”
Chad Seven blinked once. His lips pursed then he disappeared into the galley.
A quick breath escaped Angelo Thirteen. At least his co-pilot was in one of the pods.
“Ten… Nine…”
Pulling himself along, he reached the hatch.
“Eight… Seven…”
He tugged on the firm metal. The door wouldn’t budge.
His heartbeat pounded at his temple.
“Six… Five…”
With a shot of adrenaline coursing through his veins, he yanked on the handle. Screeches emitted from the hinges as the door closed.
“Four… Three…”
The seal engaged with a soft whir.
“Two… One.”
A loud clank sent a shockwave reverberating through the ship. Angelo Thirteen glanced at the vid-monitor. Four pods descended toward Iridis. He let loose a loud sigh. His crew would be safe.
“Fire in backup generator.” Mortimer’s voice sent a chill down his arm.
“Extinguish it—”
An explosion shook the pilot pod. The vibration knocked Angelo Thirteen against the bulkhead. White dots formed in his vision. An insistent ping resonated from the console—the oxygen warning. Something warm and wet dribbled over his brow.
The ship’s artificial gravitational field gave out. His boots lost contact with the floor, and he floated into the middle of the room. He couldn’t concentrate, his mind a jumble. Yet, his gaze pulled to the vid-monitor.
Iridis shrank into the distance.
His chest constricted. Drifting in space, he faced his worst fear. He was alone.
His vision tunneled, and he focused on his lost world, his lost hope, until the darkness engulfed him.
CHAPTER 2
Elle walked down the ship’s empty corridor, her boots echoing against the barren synth-fabric walls. A bead of perspiration ran down her neck, over her collar bone, and into her cleavage. Dammit. With a quick tug, she unzipped the neckband on her smooth synthetic body suit. Cool, recycled air filtered through the ship’s vents, caressing her hot skin.
She trailed her fingers over the wall’s smooth surface. The material rippled at her touch. “Thank you, Santek. You always know what I need.”
“I am forever at your service.” His smooth voice tingled her nerves.
“If only you were a real male, Santek.” A small twinge tightened her chest. The computer on her ship, Paragon, was as close to a perfect man as she’d ever met. “Given that there are three women to every guy back home, I’d gladly take you.”
“I would sacrifice myself to protect you, Captain. It is ingrained in my programming.”
Elle shook her head and tucked a stray strand of her auburn hair over her ear. “Of that, I have no doubt, Santek.”
Most men on Alta were kind and generous, but somehow, the guys who asked her out were just like her father, hard-to-please with hot tempers and bad manners. Not a one of them would ever help, much less sacrifice, for her. Deep inside, she longed to find a different kind of man, someone warmhearted and gentle. Someone who cared about her. Maybe in her dreams.
She passed through the ship’s hatch and scanned the bridge. Montoya, her second in command stood next to her security station, the muscles in her back and shoulders bunched with tension. With a quick turn, she faced Elle. Her yellow eyes flared. Despite her hardened nature, Montoya was as loyal as they came and had stood by Elle’s side on more than one occasion. “What took you so long? The Sandowins have pinged us several times.”
Elle crossed her arms. “They can wait a while longer. Assessment.”
Montoya pursed her lips. “You know as well as I that bartering with the Sandowins is risky at best.”
It was always risky with the Sandowins, two years as a space trader had taught Elle that. Her first expedition with her newly purchased ship, the Paragon, was a delivery of tenium, Alta’s only commodity. The mixture of glacial water and iridescent rock particles packed a powerful, seductive punch. At the naive age of twenty-three, she hadn’t fully understood the value of the titillating Altonian beverage.
The Sandowins had an affinity for any kind of drink that altered their sensitive nervous systems, and they’d taken advantage of her inexperience, weaseling an extra two liters from her.
She nibbled her lower lip. Selling the highly coveted commodity had allowed her to make regular payments on her ship, but the final lump sum was due soon. She had yet to make this month’s quota. How could she make the final payment?
Adalyn, Elle’s navigator, communications expert, and best friend, tapped the end of her long nail against her armrest. “Maybe we should look elsewhere for a trade partner.”
Elle’s chest tightened. “No. Toman is running out of time. The winter celebration is fourteen galactic days from now. If we don’t come up with the four hundred credits to get him out of jail…” She placed her fist over her mouth.
“I’m sorry, Elle. I know your younger brother means the world to you. We won’t let him serve a sentence in the mines.” Adalyn gave her a reassuring smile.
Elle appreciated her friend’s support, but it didn’t ease the anger burning in her chest. “The numitite crystals will bring in enough credits to pay off the debt on the ship and get Toman out of prison.”
Adalyn sighed. “I’m with you. Just wanted to suggest alternatives.”
“Bring up the holo. I want to speak to our partners.” With her throat still tight, Elle’s words came out gruff.
Montoya nodded, her short brown hair curling under her chin. “As you wish, Captain. Santek, light the holo, please.”
A slow rumble emanated from the ship’s belly, as if a great beast awakened. In the middle of the bridge, a giant holographic sphere formed, brightening as the noise intensified. A vision of the current star system formed around the globe. The location of the Sandowins’ spacecraft blinked in red, getting larger until the image of a ship became clear.