Page 3 of Stealing the Star Stone
Maybe they should add this to their itinerary?They had the equipment so it wouldn’t be an additional expense.What else could they do?Climb the peaks on Scatheon?Add the nightlife which had been such a draw for Thorne.Ice farming on Nyxara?Maybe some unique shopping stops?The ideas had merit, but Captain had the final say.
As she caught another cloud, she had to admit she’d been playing it safe these past years.But never would she thank Thorne for making her realize this.Laughing, she switched off her board’s jets and glided back, content to watch him ride cloud after cloud while she caught her breath.Movement to the side caught her attention.She stilled, blinked, then gasped.
That shape was unmistakable.A mining scout.
“Valiance,” she whispered.“Confirm identification of unknown shuttle between Velis and Auralis.”
“What is it?”Thorne asked, heading toward her.
“I’m not sure,” she said, lying through her teeth.“Might be trouble.We’re sitting ducks out here, and you, Thorne, are worth a fortune…to someone.”
“Undocumented Warden Mining Corp scout,” Computer droned.
“Shit.”She pressed her controller and blasted toward the nearbyValiancegleaming like a juicy target.“Thorne,” she called, not bothering to check if he followed.
“But—”
“Stay then,” she snapped.“Your decision.I can’t force you.Computer, note time of passenger’s death.”
“Sheesh, dramatic much,” he said, falling in beside her.
“Mining scouts are notoriously hardy.Which is why they’re stolen for nefarious deeds.”She waved him past.“Only a heavy antimatter missile can destroy it.”
She touched down on the airlock’s floor, yanked open a panel, and withdrew a rocket launcher.
“What’s that?”he asked.
She gave him a look, vaulted into space, and aimed at the scout.
“Wait!”he called, floating toward her.“There could be—”
“Scouts are drone operated,” she said and fired.
The recoil shot her back.She tumbled, head over board, traveling out to space.Usually she wasn’t wearing the board and she kept the controller clutched in her hand.This time, she hadn’t done either.
“Target hit,” Computer said.“Noted in the ship’s manifests.”
She wanted to scream at it, that now wasn’t the time for protocol when she was on the verge of being lost in space.While scrambling for the controller she’d shoved into her pocket, she kept her grip on the launcher.As she closed her fingers around it, she came to an abrupt halt.
“Got you,” Thorne said, drawing her into his arms.
Relief burned bright then hit her with the urge to kiss him in gratitude.Fuck, that’s never going to happen.
With his arm wrapped around her waist, he propelled them to the airlock.She bristled, wiggling to be set free.He only tightened his hold.It didn’t help that she was ‘upside down’ with her ass in his face.The launcher dragged on the airlock’s floor when they glided in.The doors sealed, lights flashing red.All the while she fought him, trying to right herself.
“Dammit, Thorne.When gravity’s returned, I’m going to hit the floor with my head.”
He relented then, letting her struggle on her own.Seconds ticked by.Tension slowed her actions.Screaming, she released the launcher, grabbed the nearest bulkhead, and spun, just as the lights bloomed white.She hit the floor… Hard.
A splutter of curses slipped out, agony spiking along the outside of her knee.“Why is everything with you a pain in my ass?”
She staggered to her feet, gingerly putting weight on her leg.
Petr ran into the airlock, buzzing around them while he removed the oxygen tanks, helmets, and boards.Once he’d left them and nothing obstructed Thorne’s face, he cornered her, forcing her to limp backward until her back hit the bulkhead.
“I’m waiting,” he said, his voice low, his green eyes more beautiful than the rolling hills on Tarnis.
“For what?”she snapped, squaring her shoulders.
