Page 35 of Her Cyborg Commander
Arranging for the scout ship to meet them as quickly as possible was straightforward. Figuring out a way to get aboard was a bigger challenge given they didn’t have vac-suits, but Eddi had a solution.
“I am equipped with an emergency umbilical tube intended for this type of situation. Once activated, it will unfold and seal against the hull of your shuttle. The adhesive process for this is not designed for long-term use, but it should hold long enough for both of you to cross over.”
“You’re certain it will hold? Why can’t we dock this ship alongside you and match the airlock doors?”
“I’m a scout ship. I am not designed for that kind of connection.”
Edge bit back a laugh. The AI sounded slightly horrified at the idea of hooking onto another ship.
“Okay. Okay. It was an honest question. No need to get your circuits in a bunch.”
“You are not making sense, Passenger Edge. Should I prepare the med system to check you for head injuries once you are on board?”
“No med systems,” he snapped. “I’m fine, but even if I wasn’t, my medi-bots would deal with it.” The last thing he wanted was to have the AI taking scans and offering medical advice.
River piped up from the cockpit. “Actually, I might need the med-system. I tore up my feet badly and I suspect there’s a lot of sand and other debris in the cuts. My medi-bots can clean it all up eventually, but I’ll heal faster if it’s done soon.”
“Of course, Pilot River. I will prepare for your treatment once you arrive.”
“Wait a second. Why am I just Passenger Edge, but River gets to be called Pilot?”
The damned AI sounded absolutely smug as it replied, “Because my records indicate River has preliminary flight qualifications. You do not.”
River’s laughter filled the air. “We’ll rendezvous with you in fourteen minutes, Eddi. The other ship has stopped trying to hail us and is on an intercept course, but they won’t get here in time. Please begin calculating jump coordinates for a random destination at least five light-years away. That will give us time to work out where we’re really going.”
“Calculations beginning now. Will there be anything else?”
“No. Please get to the meeting point as fast as you can. The sooner we’re safe, the sooner we can get you back to Sevda.”
The AI made a pleased humming sound. “That would be my preferred outcome.”
“Ours too,” Edge chimed in.
With the preliminary issues out of the way for the moment, he moved on to his next concern. “How bad are you hurt, minx?”
“I’ll live. But if I don’t deactivate the nerve-block soon, the system will do it for me. I’d rather finish my treatment before the pain comes back.”
He was out of the harness and on his feet in seconds. “Why didn’t you say anything?” he demanded as he barged into the cockpit.
“I did. I told you I carried you back to camp barefoot because you hid myfraxxingboots.”
He growled and ran a hand through his hair, leaving it in spikes that reflected his current mood. “We need to work on our communication.”
She flicked an amused glance over her shoulder at him. “What happened to the man who complained if we stopped arguing we’d stop having make-up sex?”
“He’s gained some perspective since then.” He placed a hand on her shoulder, the simple touch grounding him.
“We did have a busy day,” she agreed. Without another word, she turned her head to kiss his fingers.
“Yeah, we did. And it’s not over yet.”
“Not even close.” River nodded to the copilot’s seat. “Since you’re here, we should talk about what comes next.”
“We don’t have a lot of options.” He sat down without bothering to strap in this time. “As much as I hate to say it, we can’t do this alone. We’re going to need help.”
“I agree. As it happens, Hezza left me a good-bye present—a comm relay buoy in orbit around the planet. She set it up so I had way to reach her if needed. I think that time has come.”
“Agreed. It might take a while for her to get the message, though. I’m not sure where she is, but it will be a long way from here…or anywhere that Nova Force might find her.”
