Page 81 of Lorran
“Well, guess I have to wear pants today after all.” She grabbed a pair of trousers from the heap and dressed.
Within minutes, they were ready. Unease pricked along his neck. Something did not add up correctly between the scanner readings, Saavi’s confession, and Caldar’s relaxed posture. The slippery male had a plan, and Lorran knew that plan would only benefit Caldar.
“When we reach the shuttle, I want you in your armor,” he said. Then he set a plasma pistol down on the mattress. “And I want you to use this if the situation arises.”
“What’s happening? You’re worrying me.”
The overhead lights flickered, and the ground shuddered.
Wyn
Not good. The earth moving any place other than bed was so not good.
Lorran grabbed her arm to steady her, but they continued to run. The suitcase dragged behind. The pistol, stuffed hastily into her waistband, dug into her side.
“Leave it,” he ordered.
Wyn hesitated. It was just stuff, clothes, and toiletries, but it was her connection to home.
The lights flickered.
She dropped the handle. “It’s just stuff,” she said, and she wouldn’t get herself killed over sentimental attachment to her shampoo, even if it did smell like sunshine and daisies.
By the time they arrived at the entrance, her sides were in stitches and she was gasping to catch her breath. She was so going to add cardio to her workout routine. Lorran’s morning yoga meditation was nice and all, but two days in a row now, she needed to run for her life so she should take the hint and start jogging. That she shouldn’t need to run for her life burrowed its way inside her mind, but there was fleeing to do. No time to think.
Saavi argued with Mylomon. “You cannot make me go! Your warlord will send me to prison. For what? Doing what he does not have the courage to do?”
“Female, you will come quietly, or you will be subdued.”
The ground shuddered again. Dirt rained down from the ceiling. The lights went out. This time, they did not flicker back to life.
Darkness surrounded them.
“Mom—” Mikah’s voice sounded so small and young.
Lorran gave her hand a comforting squeeze. “We are well.”
“Not true at all, but at least nothing is on fire.” As soon as she uttered those words, she wanted to claw them back, because it’d be just her luck if a fire broke out.
Caldar arrived with a lantern. The thin, yellow cast gave him a wan, otherworldly appearance.
Great, creepy ghost aliens.
“The Suhlik have discovered our location,” he said.
“Conveniently,” Mylomon muttered.
“There may be enough artillery for me to provide you cover. Hurry. You must reach your shuttle and depart.”
“What? Just run for it?” Wyn asked because that sounded like a terrible plan.
“Yes, female. There is no time.”
A loud snap, followed by muffled implosion, like the roof giving way. Wyn glanced up; she couldn’t see the ceiling, but at least chunks of concrete didn’t fall on her face.
“I am intrigued by the Suhlik’s timely arrival, just as we decide to depart,” Lorran said. “Perhaps they received a communication.”
Caldar stepped up to Lorran, chests nearly touching. Wyn did not imagine the growling. “I have battled the Suhlik longer than you have been alive, whelp. I am no traitor.”
