Page 78 of Sol Survivor

Carnesnorted.“Permissiontoland denied.”

“Fine by me, Carne.I’ll just free your prisoners and issue an official statement to the Galactic News.They might be surprised to find I’m very much alive.”

He laughed.“They won’t believe you unless you travel to Earth.”He tapped the console.“Then again, I would like another opportunity to kill you, and since you’re being so obliging, by all means, land.”

The screen flickered to black.

“Now we have the red carpet rolled out for us,” Dez muttered.“Sonja will take over the shuttle when we disembark.She has piloting skills and will land out of firing range.The codeword to order the shuttle’s return is ‘humpback.’”

“Those with blasters will head out first.”Drafe scanned the compartment before resting his gaze on Vic.“No heroics.You have survived so much.Dying now is stupid.”

“I equipped the shuttle with gas canisters in caseVesaliusis not friendly.”Caah tossed a grin.“When we fire those, wait for them to collapse and the air to dissipate before we disembark.”

Dez pursed his lips.“Could work.”

“Good thinking, Caah.”Vic squeezed Caah’s shoulder.

“If all else fails, I added laser canons for sticky doors.”He chuckled.“Was fun tweaking your human weapons.”

Drafe tapped his chin before clasping Vic’s hip.“I would suggest we land a distance away and go in on foot.Caah, Vic and I will take them by surprise.Once the area is clear, Sonja will fly the shuttle and land.Let’s save our arsenal for emergencies.”

Vic bounced on her toes, loving the idea of a little action.

Dez shook his head.“You don’t have suits.It would be suicide.Europa may have oxygen in its atmosphere, that doesn’t mean it's survivable and not at these temperatures.”

She grinned and double-tapped her neck device.The shield rippled as it formed.“Has two hours of oxygen and traps our body heat.We’ll be fine.”With another double-tap, she deactivated it.“Everyone know the plan?”

They nodded.

“There are bound to be medical personnel.What we want are the chief surgeons, the director of the facility, someone in charge.”She met each gaze.“If you have to fire, aim to wound or disarm.”

“Agreed.For all we know, these people are as much prisoners as we once were.”Dez checked his blaster then strapped it to his thigh.

“Landing the shuttle one klik from the facility.”Caah spun its ass and lowered it with the slightest of bumps.As he slid off the pilot’s seat, a brunette woman with a ponytail and a scarred cheek took his place.

“Remember ‘humpback.’”Sonja ran a delicate touch over the console.

“I like the nameVesalius.”Dez sidled closer to Vic.“It’s a pity we’ll have to change it.”

Vic grinned.“Got any ideas?”With vengeance so close, she couldn’t stem the flow of adrenaline.Her leg bounced as each second brought her closer to her target.

“Rebirth?”He twisted his mouth.

She shrugged.“The naming of it is up to you, Dez.Just don’t die on me.”

“Carne contesters are hard to kill.”

She frowned, flashes of Ande’s death gainsaying Dez’s words.“But wecandie.”

He nodded and left her to lean against Drafe, who wrapped an arm around her to pull her closer.“Same applies to you,gevatia.There will be no dying today.”

“The almighty Drafe Arrak has spoken,” she teased before snatching a kiss.

“No, because Aehort has shared a vision.You live, my female.”He chuckled.“But it pleases me that you think me all-powerful.”

She wasn’t about to mess with his ego by implying that wasn’t what she meant.Besides, parts of him were mighty.“Bless Aehort.He should be here.”

“He is inside me and you.Learn to listen for him.”Drafe cupped her cheek, trailing his thumb down her neck.She shivered and nuzzled his palm.“Listen for me.”

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