Page 39 of The Alien Warrior's Vow

“We can’t.” Emma strode over to her. “Chozo said the force field is probably hooked up to a backup generator. If we make a mess in here, the wall will stay up and the Heronas will know for sure where we are.”

“You’re right.” Kia glanced at the door. “I wonder why they haven’t found us yet.”

“They probably think we came to steal the Healer.” Sara paced back and forth.

Simone sat in the chair facing the largest computer. She placed her fingers to the keyboard that looked like a fancy typewriter with suspended keys. Instead of moving down when she pressed them, the keys projected holographic numbers that blinked and shuttered upon contact.

“How’s it looking, Simone?” Emma asked.

“It looks like a bunch of characters that I’ve never seen before in my life,” she said through gritted teeth. “They don’t teach this stuff in community college.”

Sara eased the door shut and leaned against the wall. The exoskeleton’s chest heaved wildly, mimicking her frantic pose. “There are guards coming down the stairs.”

“Can you work faster, Simone?” Kia asked.

Emma’s heart lodged in her throat as she stood helplessly to the side. She’d never been the type to rely on others. Her mother had taught her that it was better to go it alone.“You can’t trust nobody in this world, Emma. Nobody.”

The computer started beeping.

All the screens flashed red.

“Simone…” Emma called in a low voice.

“I don’t know what happened.” Simone’s dark fingers slammed against the keyboard. The clacking noise competed with the thudding of Emma’s heart. Frantically, Simone explained, “It’s not… guys, it’s not working.”

“I think they heard us!” Sara screeched, peering outside. “The guards are coming this way.”

“If they walk in here, we’re going to have to fight them,” Kia said.

Sara nodded.

Emma bit down on her bottom lip and strode to the frazzled programmer. “Simone, is there anything I can help you with?”

“Yes, actually. Can you keep an eye on the numbers that flash up there. Make note of all of them.”

“I will.”

Simone’s fingers moved at warp speed over the keyboard.

The red lights on the screen flashed harder.

Emma groaned, sweat beading down her neck. “Simone…”

“It’s not responding,” Simone hissed, slamming her fists on the keyboard. “It’s not going to work.”

Suddenly, the computer flashed green.

The beeping stopped.

“What just happened?” Emma whispered.

“It worked.” Simone glanced up with big, relieved eyes. “I’m in.”

Thirteen

Lans

Lans kepthis hand behind his back and his gaze fixed on a point just beyond Na’vak’s head. He kept his anger on a tight leash. They were trained to respect their elders and he would not disrespect his father’s legacy by breaking that cardinal rule now.

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