Page 55 of Close Encounters of the Hot Kind

I jam the ignition switch. Nothing happens. The jetpack remains dead, its systems frozen.

"Teletran, restart the power core!"

"Attempting emergency reboot. Twenty seconds required."

"We don't have twenty seconds." The lake surface transforms from a distant blue expanse into individual whitecaps. At this velocity, hitting the water will be like slamming into concrete.

"Fifteen seconds to impact."

My fingers dance across the emergency override panel. Warning lights flash red. The power core remains stubbornly offline.

"Ten seconds."

I can make out individual waves now. My heart pounds against my ribs.

"Five seconds."

"Come on, you piece of junk!" I slam my fist against the power core. The impact jars something loose.

Blue fire erupts from the thrusters. The sudden acceleration crushes me against the harness as I pull up. My boots skim the water's surface, sending up twin rooster tails of spray.

"Power restored. Though I must point out that physical violence is not a recommended troubleshooting method."

"Save the lecture." I bank hard, climbing back into pursuit position. The UFO's silver hull glints in the distance, still dragging its captured train car toward the clouds. "We've got a saucer to catch."

The saucer's airlock crumples under my fist. Alarms blare as I storm through the corridor, my holographic disguise dropped. Three Grolgath guards raise their weapons.

"Wrong move."

My plasma rifle hums to life. Three shots, three bodies hit the deck. The bridge door slides open to reveal the pilot, his scales shifting color in panic.

"Get away from those controls."

"You don't understand what's at stake--"

My boot connects with his jaw. He slumps unconscious over the console. The ship's systems respond to my touch, familiar after centuries of stealing Grolgath vessels.

"Teletran, plot us a course to that island."

"Coordinates locked. Though I must point out this is highly irregular--"

"Just do it."

The saucer descends, hovering over a rocky outcrop barely big enough for the train car. The quantum field dissolves as I release the clamps. Metal groans as the car settles onto solid ground.

"Aileen!" I tear the door off its hinges.

She stumbles out, followed by Garros. His black scales gleam in the sunlight as he steadies her.

"You came for me." Aileen throws herself into my arms.

My mouth finds hers. The kiss deepens, relief and desire mingling as I pull her closer. Her fingers dig into my scales.

The compad's chime breaks the moment. Captain Pyke's stern face fills the holographic display.

"Agent Varak. Care to explain why I'm getting reports of a UFO over Lake Michigan?"

"Sir, the Grolgath--"

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