Page 30 of Tempting Jupiter
Bug hovered in front of a control panel on the face of the biggest object in view. It filled one end of the compartment completely, with snakelike conduits stretching out in all directions and disappearing into the decking, walls, and ceiling.
“Look for a row of glowing red buttons.” Fee’s voice echoed from the ship’s com system.
“There are things glowing red all over this panel,” Jupiter growled.
“Look for five in a row. They are square, not part of the display screen. Actual raised buttons that you have to press in order from left to right. Look where Bug is hovering.”
Seneca appeared at his side. “Look.” He pointed. “They are numbered below.”
“That’s them! Push them, now!” Panic edged Fee’s shout.
As Seneca pressed each button it changed from red to green. When the last button had been pushed, Bug darted over to another area of the control panel.
“Flip these red switches, top to bottom.”
Jupiter flipped each switch as Fee continued with her instructions.
“When you finish that, the big lever to your right will be engaged. You have to pull it down to bypass the safety system and engage the skip-field generator.”
The lever she referred to was easily as big as Sen. Jupiter reached for it and pulled. His biceps bulged with effort, but it barely moved. He stepped sideways to get a better grip and give Sen room to help. They tried together and the lever moved, but only a small portion of the way. It was nowhere near the bottom where it needed to be.
“Now, guys! We’re running out—”
“Mattie!” Another voice carried through the ship and for a moment Jupiter thought Fitzhew had already boarded the ship.
Seneca grabbed his arm before he would have released the lever. “It comes from the other ship.”
“Come on Mattie. I know you can hear me. You’re not going anywhere in that ship. Let’s talk. We can make a deal.”
Jupiter and Seneca pulled together, making progress centimeters at a time.
Fee didn’t bother to respond to the captain. “There has to be a metal bar that locks into the side of that thing for leverage.” Her words were clipped, fast. They had no time for searching for the bar.
Sen barked. Jupiter saw his intention and braced for the full force of the lever. Sen released his grip and moved back. He took a few steps then launched himself at the machine, bounding up its face until he could wedge himself between the ceiling and the lever, now beneath his feet. Aided by his own weight, Sen pushed with his whole body. It gave, moving to half the full distance.
Jupiter barked. “Again.” This time he added his weight. Sen pushed against the ceiling and Jupiter pulled himself up until his upper body was above the lever, his arms extended downward and his feet no longer touched the floor.
The lever gave way. Seneca and Jupiter landed sprawled on the floor. The ship shuddered beneath them.
“We’re in skipspace.” Fee’s voice broadcast relief more than celebration.
Jupiter reached out and grabbed Sen’s hand. “Victory,” he whispered.
Sen squeezed his hand in return. “Victory.”
Chapter Fourteen
TheRenegade
EarthAllianceBetaSector
2210.149
Seneca flipped the rehydrated meat that stretched over the heating elements. “Food’s almost ready.”
“Smells good.” Jupiter appeared at his side and leaned forward to get a closer look.
The barest brush of shoulder to shoulder and the familiar scent of him made Seneca’s gut tighten. Jupiter put a hand on his growling belly and chuffed his approval of the food.
