Here, on Not-Hoth, I matter. To Aehako and the others, I matter.
So I clear my throat. “Computer, show me what functioning weapons are still on board this ship.”
• • •
Two hours later, I’m bossing everyone around and trying to get things done. Haeden’s been no help, so I have him sitting on the bridge, in charge of the single defense gun that the still-somewhat-functioning computer has. He has a bright red button he can push if things go to hell that will (hopefully) activate the single gun, provided it hasn’t rusted over after all this time and the harsh weather. There are a handful of alien guns from the ship’s security, but only one has any charge left. Harlow and I debate over who’s going to handle it, but I win the argument.
I’m going to be the negotiator in charge, because I’m determined that things are going to work out.
And if they don’t, I want Harlow, Aehako, and Haeden to get away.
The gun doesn’t have a trigger like regular human guns. It’s some sort of laser cannon that has a control panel that’s voice activated and reveals – no joke – a button. And here I thought a trigger was déclassé. I’d feel better with one.
“What’s the status of the alien ship?” I ask the computer as I practice aiming my laser cannon. “Is it still in the atmosphere?”
“Affirmative,” the computer tells me. “Would you like a visual?”
“Yes, please.”
The room’s screen lights up and shows me the mountains in the distance, the ones that look like purple ice. Hovering just over the peak of one is the flat disk of the alien’s ship, a black smudge on the gray skies. “Has it moved any in the last six hours?”
“Negative.”
The sight of it is making me antsy. “Can we call it toward us somehow? I don’t want it getting back to the others.”
“I can relay a communication signal. Would you like to do so?”
“Not just yet,” I tell it quickly, then look at Harlow. There’s a few things I have to get done before we can proceed with our plan. “Can you do me a favor?”
The redhead turns toward me, curious. “What’s up?”
“Can you go see how Haeden’s doing? Make sure he’s not going to get trigger happy?”
She nods and heads out of the room.
I immediately shut the door behind her and flip the lock. I turn around, resting my back against the door. “Computer? I need a fail safe.”
“Query: what is fail safe?”
“I need a secondary plan.” I lick my lips, thinking hard. “A weapon I can smuggle on board the alien ship with me if I’m taken captive.” After a moment, I add, “And I need a way to interface your computer to theirs.”
The computer screen flashes with a variety of options, and I listen intently.
If they take me back with them, I’m bringing them down. If I’m not getting out of this alive, neither are they.
• • •
It’s sometime later that I emerge from the locked room to find the others. I’ve got a secret packet wrapped in a thin polymer film tucked into my hand, and new determination in my step. Unfortunately, my determination falters when I run into Harlow in the hallway.
“They’re on the move,” Harlow tells me. “The guys are at the front. Come on!”
We race down the narrow halls of the ship, heading toward the entrance. I guess Haeden’s abandoned his post already, because when I arrive at the icy entrance, he’s kneeling there in the meltwater with Aehako. My mate has his ear pressed to the door, listening on the other side. I want to point out that he’s not going to be able to hear anything through the hull of the ship, but he gets to his feet the moment I arrive.
“Aehako,” I say. “What—“
“Their ship has arrived,” he tells me. He caresses my cheek and pulls me against him. “You and Harlow must stay here. Haeden and I will go out and speak to them.”
I push away from him. “No, this is something I need to do.”
“Kira,” he says, a warning tone in his voice. “Let me protect you. You are my mate to take care of.”
“That’s sweet, Aehako.” I reach up and pat his cheek. “But you are my mate, and I’m going to take care of you.” I flick off the switch that covers the trigger-button on my laser cannon. “Now, I’m going to go out and talk to those bastards.”
“Talk?” Harlow’s laugh is nervous. “You’re kidding, right?”
“Nope.” I’m tired of running scared. My heart’s racing a mile a minute, but inwardly, I feel calm. This is it. For once and for all, I’m not going to be scared of these bastards anymore. Because if the worst case scenario happens, there’s no longer anything to fear.