“Erick, can you stop them?” Jelena asked. “Lock down the hatch door.”
A gasp followed by a thud and a pained grunt answered her.
“Erick? Are you all right?”
A distant clang sounded over the comm.
“Masika,” Jelena said. “You’re about to have company out there. Can you…” She paused. Did she want to order Masika to attack Abelardus and Brody when they were all in spacesuits? Spacesuits that could easily be compromised by a blazer blast or even a cut from a dagger? Had Masika even brought weapons out with her to watch over Zhou? Probably, but the Starseers would have weapons too. Mental weapons.
“I see them,” Masika said.
Thor? Jelena asked silently. How close to being done are you? I think Brody is on his way, and I don’t want to tell Masika to get into a fight with him.
“You’re shooting them?” Zhou blurted.
Jelena hadn’t heard blazer fire—and wouldn’t in the empty atmosphere of the asteroid—but she cringed as she imagined it. “Don’t, Masika. Let them go. We’ll deal with them.”
“Too late,” Zhou said. “She’s firing, and they’re—”
A hiss-thunk sounded, and his line died.
“Zhou?” Jelena abandoned the tower and scrambled back up the slope of boulders. “Masika? Erick? Are you still there?”
A burst of static answered her, and then the channel went offline. She couldn’t talk to any of them over the comm, not even Thor.
“Damn it, what did he do?” Jelena reached the top of the slope and peered in the direction Thor had gone. Thor? I think company is coming. And they’re pissed.
He didn’t answer her. She turned her head, running her helmet light over the rubble. A stack of boulders rose from the center of the area, a stack that hadn’t been there before. Had he lifted all of those out of the way in the short time since she’d seen him?
Jelena ran across the uneven rocks in great bounds, glancing up toward the ledge as she went. It had taken her and Thor ten or fifteen minutes to reach the spot, but they had been walking. If Brody knew exactly where to go, and he and Abelardus zipped through the tunnels on the thrust bikes, they could arrive in minutes. Seconds.
She finally spotted Thor and gasped in alarm.
“Thor!” she yelled, even though he wouldn’t hear her.
He was curled on his side between two boulders, his hands raised to his helmet. He wasn’t moving.
Chapter 13
Jelena dropped to her knees beside Thor, a jagged boulder stabbing her even through the insulated pads of her spacesuit. She shook his shoulder and peered through his faceplate, clacking hers against his as she tried to see his eyes. They were closed. She imagined him suffering from brain hemorrhages, the same as Abelardus. How would she get him back to the ship for Kiyoko to help? Even in minimal gravity, climbing that cliff while dragging him after her wouldn’t be easy.
“Thor, if you’re dead, I’ll kill you.”
How does that work exactly? You strangle my dead ghost?
“I’ll ask Austin for tips.” She squeezed his shoulder. “It must be a possibility.”
His eyelashes fluttered, and he winced. That bastard is opportunistic.
What happened? Brody attacked you, I assume.
Yes. Thor rolled to his knees, and she sensed his groan of pain even if she couldn’t hear it. He distracted me by cutting off my oxygen supply, and then when I was fixing the problem, ambushed me with a mirnokov attack.
A what?
It doesn’t matter. But he’s definitely using chasadski techniques. I wonder if your grandfather would be familiar with him at all.
Grandpa spent most of his life as a hermit. I don’t think he knows a lot of those people.
Maybe. Stanislav worked with his brother for at least a while. Thor pushed himself to his feet and looked toward the ledge.
They’re coming. Austin said they took the thrust bikes.
Damn. We should have taken the thrust bikes.
I would have suggested it if I’d known we were going spelunking. I thought we were just going out to look at a glowing circle.
Thor did not respond. He stood still, his face tilted toward the ledge.
Jelena looked at the pit he’d excavated. Is there time to finish digging down to the ship?
Ostberg and the others are in trouble. The pirates just flew into the chamber where the Snapper is parked.
Jelena groaned. And she wasn’t there to pilot them off that ledge. The Snapper could raise its shields, but it would still be easy target practice for an enemy.
They’ll have to deal with it themselves, Thor said. Masika and Zhou are running back inside so Ostberg can raise shields.
Jelena groaned again. The crew wasn’t supposed to have to deal with big problems by themselves. That was her job as the captain. Instead, she was poking around in a rubble pile.
Yes, to answer your other question. Let’s keep digging. Brody and Abelardus are coming, but they’ve taken a wrong turn, so we may have a couple of minutes. I’ll try to further delay them.
Thor raised a hand toward the ledge, fingers splayed. At first, nothing happened. Then the ledge trembled, and a boulder tumbled down from the ceiling inside the tunnel. Others followed, creating a cloud of dust that hazed the air around the area. It was strange watching a rockfall without hearing anything. It was also strange to think Thor could create such a thing. That would take a lot more power than lifting rocks. He had to be shearing away stone, breaking bonds to make pieces drop.
He waved his hand, and the dust cleared, revealing the tunnel now filled in.
How do we get back? Jelena asked.
Thor turned and nodded toward the far side of the chamber where she had sensed the larger tunnels earlier. We’ll have to go the long way. Or hope Little Ostberg can bring the ship and pick us up later. In the meantime… He faced the pit he’d created, and a boulder the size of a shuttlecraft dislodged itself from the bottom. It floated out, traveled horizontally, then settled at the base of the mountain he was making. Help me? The ship is under us, and there’s an exterior hatch roughly in that area. He pointed to outline the spot.
I don’t think I can lift boulders.
They’re lightweight boulders. Another one floated free, causing a few others to tumble down and fill in space at the bottom. The hard part is unstacking them in such a way that you don’t cause rockslides. It’s a puzzle.
Then you must be enjoying yourself.
I would be if I didn’t have to worry about more attacks from someone who very much does not want me to get to the artifact first.
Jelena grimaced, wondering if Brody would attack her to distract Thor. Or simply because she was helping him. She was the only licensed pilot on the ship, and he should want to keep her alive to fly him back, but if he had piloting skills of his own, he might feel he didn’t need her. For that matter, Abelardus was a pilot. His specialty was small fighter craft like Starseer Darts, but he had flown the Star Nomad a time or two.
I’ll protect you if he attacks you. Just concentrate on unburying the ship, please.
Good of you to say please when you’re inviting me to do things.
I am a good man. He paused in lifting rocks to gaze at her through his faceplate, his expression oddly intent.
She remembered that she’d called Leonidas a good man in front of him, and hadn’t she said that about Zhou too? Maybe he felt left out. Or maybe she was misreading him, and he was simply wondering why she wasn’t hefting any rocks.
Assassinations aside? she asked and faced the pit, looking for a small boulder she could try.
I assassinated evil people who had done evil things. It was justice.
A good man finds a way to bring about justice without killing people.
Leonidas has killed many people. Thor lifted another boulder out of the pit without taking his eyes from hers. I don’t see why you make different rules for him than you do for me. I’m not… He looked away. I’m not a monster because I want to f
ulfill my father’s wishes and create a better, fairer system.
I didn’t say you were a monster. I…
Jelena bit her lip. He was right, wasn’t he? In that she’d called Leonidas a good man without taking into account all the people he’d killed in the past. But when she’d called him that, she’d been talking about him allowing his children to put stickers on his armor. She hadn’t been making some big morality judgment. Of course, if she had been, wouldn’t she still consider Leonidas a good man? Maybe because most of his killing had been long ago and she hadn’t been a witness to it, it was easy to consider him only by his current actions. Even back then, he’d been a soldier following orders, not someone choosing to kill people of his own accord. Not someone making a list of assassination targets and going down it with bone-chilling efficiency.
You’re not a monster, she told Thor as he floated more rocks onto his pile. I’m just not sure you’re working toward what’s best for the system. Is a giant war really going to help anyone? Do you truly believe the Alliance is so awful that people would be better off with it gone? It’s not perfect, of course, and you’re right that they’re really only focused on keeping the peace on planets with resources to offer, but anyone can choose to immigrate to an Alliance world and have the protection and benefits of being a citizen. Without fear of the government. It’s less totalitarian and strict than the empire was—you’ve got to admit that.
Do I?
Are you sure this is about the system and not about you just wanting to be emperor?
A boulder that had started rising clunked down, and he frowned over at her. What are you implying? That my ego won’t be satisfied unless I’m in charge of billions? If you believe that, you don’t know me at all. I’ve often wished I could simply be a normal person without a destiny, but to walk away from it all and ignore my heritage and my father’s wishes would be cowardly.
Jelena lifted a hand. I’m sorry I suggested that. I do believe you’re doing this because you think you have to and not out of a lust for a position of power. She suspected he could create a position of power for himself with his talents alone, empires and alliances aside. If he truly wished it.
I’m not a bad man, Jelena, he said, sounding sad as he raised his rock again.
The dull metal of a ship’s hull came into view.
I know, she said.
He focused on clearing more rocks from atop the hull and did not speak again. She focused on a small rock and tried to lift it, but she realized she didn’t know how to lift something when there was no atmosphere, no air. She usually manipulated the air underneath an object to levitate it. Maybe she could jam her staff under the boulders, then use it as leverage to hoist them out of the pit.
How are you—
If you help him, you’ll seal your fate, a voice growled into her mind. Brody.
Haven’t I already sealed my fate by transporting you? Jelena reached out with her mind, trying to sense how close he was. She detected Brody and Abelardus in the tunnels between her and the Snapper. They weren’t in the passage that led to the rock-buried ledge yet. Good. She hoped they would be lost indefinitely.
Do your best to delay him, and I will forgive you for delaying me, girl.
Ignoring him, Jelena reached out to Abelardus. Is there a reason you’ve joined forces with a chasadski asshole?
She sensed Abelardus’s surprise.
What makes you say that?
He attacked Thor using a chasadski method of hurting people.
I’m sure you’re mistaken. Did you see it? Or is that just what Thorian said?
I saw Thor on the ground, grabbing his head. Much like you were in the ship.
That wasn’t a chasadski attack. It was just… They were letting me know the government doesn’t approve of this trip.
Then why are you on it? Your son—and Young-hee and your daughters—won’t have a place in the Starseer community, certainly not the place of power you envision, if you’re all ostracized.
Thor jumped down into the pit where more of the old spaceship hull lay visible. He continued to fling boulders onto his pile as he crouched and wiped away dust. Or maybe he was looking for that hatch.
That’s not going to happen, Abelardus said. Don’t worry, Jelena. I have a plan. You won’t be in danger.
“Hah.” She’d been in nothing but danger since the asteroid belt came into sight.
Once the artifact is uncovered, I’ll knock Brody out. Abelardus shared an image with Jelena, one of an injector full of some liquid. Kiyoko already provided me with the means to do so. I’ll drug him and keep him unconscious for the journey back, and then I’ll turn him over to the government and explain that he was the one to destroy the Starseer ships, and that he tricked me into helping with all this. And it’s all true. Even if they interrogate him, they’ll see that. The government officials will understand—I am not a man with a questionable record—and Young-hee and I will have the artifact, the government can keep its secrets, and Brody will be in prison somewhere. Or they’ll kill him. I don’t care which. Either way, he’ll be harmless.
He seemed earnest. Jelena wondered if she could reach Kiyoko from here to telepathically verify the story. She ought to be able to reach Erick—she needed to check on the ship, regardless.
It’s the truth, Abelardus asserted, perhaps reading disbelief in her pause. Trust me. I’ve no reason to lie to you. And Thorian… You’d do well not to trust him, Jelena. I know he was your friend once, but he’s only out for himself now. I’m sure he snuck away because he wants that artifact for himself.
As Jelena watched Thor flinging boulders away from the hull, hurrying to uncover a hatch before Brody caught up to them, she couldn’t deny that Thor wanted it for himself. But that didn’t mean she couldn’t trust him. He hadn’t lied to her. He’d said from the beginning that he wanted it.
Ah, Abelardus added. I think we’ve found the way through. We’ll be in there shortly. Jelena, don’t stand next to Thorian when he and Brody do battle, as it’s obvious they will. You could be hurt. Come find me. Maybe we can get the relic while they tangle with each other.
“Abelardus says they’re almost here,” Jelena warned Thor, speaking aloud before she remembered the comm system was down.
He understood, anyway. I know, he replied silently. And I agree with Abelardus. You should stand clear while I face Brody.
Spying on my private conversations again, are you?
Being aware of everything going on around me seems wise right now.
And here I thought you’d need to concentrate on playing with your rocks.
I can do many things at once.
Said the prince, modestly.
Uh, Jelena? Erick asked into her mind.
Yes? She grimaced—she should have been checking on the ship instead of bantering with Thor. Are you all right? Is the ship all right?
Yes, for now. Austin and I worked together to camouflage the ship, like you suggested. It wasn’t easy. I think there are some Starseers aboard that pirate ship, and they knew we were around somewhere. They kept searching this chamber, and they fired into the darkness a few times, like they expected to hit something. To hit us. But they couldn’t see or sense us. We’re still on the ledge.
Good.
I’m not sure about that. They left out the tunnel that was marked on Brody’s map. Where did you and Thor go?
Thor figured out a shortcut to the lost ship.
I was afraid of that. They’re coming for you then.
“Who isn’t?” Jelena muttered.
I found the hatch, Thor told her. I’m going to attempt to force it open.
Light pierced the chamber over their heads.
Better hurry, Thor. Jelena looked toward the wide tunnel at the back of the chamber. The beam of light was coming from there, and a quick check with her senses revealed a ship full of people heading their way. “Brody, you seriously underestimated how long it would take to fly back here,” she growled.
Cha
pter 14
As the light grew brighter, illuminating most of the vast chamber, Jelena ran toward the mountain of boulders Thor had been creating.
Get out of there, she told Thor. He was still crouching on the hull of the old ship, trying to get that hatch open. Come up here and hide with me. I bet they won’t be expecting anyone on foot in here. They may be so worried about the ship and treasures that they won’t bother to scan for life forms. If they don’t see us, we can bide our time and attack while they’re exploring.
I just need two seconds. Then we can hide inside the ship.
They’ll be here in two seconds.
As she ducked behind the mountain, the ship flew out of the tunnel, curtains of the cobwebs plastered to its gray nose.
Thor scrambled out of the pit and raced toward her. She waved for him to hurry, hoping those cobwebs would affect the ship’s cameras.
With one long leap, he flew toward her. Crimson blazer fire streaked through the air behind him, and she almost shrieked. It missed him by less than a foot.
So much for not being seen, he spoke dryly into her mind as he landed beside her.
How can you be so casual? She punched him in the arm.
Careful, you’ll damage my suit.
Jelena turned toward the boulder mountain, leaning into it. It was blocking them from the ship’s view for the moment, but she sensed the craft heading toward them. Though Thor had created an impressive pile of rocks, it didn’t rise nearly high enough to keep the pirates from flying over their heads and shooting down from above.
Android at the helm, Thor sighed into her mind. I can’t affect him. The captain is… standing next to a Starseer. I think the Starseer is protecting his mind.
The ship flew into view before Jelena could answer, a gray bulbous ship with twin thrusters and a lot of weaponry. Those weapons were designed to shoot at other ships across astronomical distances, not blast people on the ground, but the pilot managed to maneuver the craft so that the nose pointed downward.
Move, Thor ordered.
Jelena didn’t need to be told; she was already running. She sprinted away from the mountain as crimson beams blasted into it. Boulders and shards of rock flew in all directions. She raised her barrier as she ran, protecting her and also Thor, and it was just in time. A boulder five times her size slammed into the back of it.