“Wake the fuck up!”

  The message is accompanied by a hard slap across the face. It registers on some level, but I guess I don’t immediately show the appropriate reaction. This earns me a second hit.

  “Wake up!”

  Someone is determined to ruin my death... What the hell is wrong with this world? Anger floods. Makes it easier to force my eyes open. When I do, I blink in instant recognition. Okay, not sure I’m so happy to die anymore. She’s here! Staring at me, amber eyes burning harder than even the fiercest fire. I feel like crying in relief.

  “Ste—”

  “What are you doing here, Commander?” she snaps.

  I realize I’m no longer being strangled. Feels good to be able to breathe, even though most of it is smoke.

  “Coming to your rescue,” I say in a raspy whisper.

  She arches an aggressive eyebrow.

  “Oh, yeah? Next time, don’t bother.”

  I notice she’s not wearing a collar, which, along with a lack of oxygen, causes me to smile like an idiot. Of course, she’s not! Hell, I missed her! Arrogance, abuse, whatever else... She’s still the most fascinating being ever.

  “Fire’s ripping through the place.”

  I just felt the need to say that. Clearly, it’s not helpful info. She stares intently, condemnation written all over her gorgeous face.

  “I know, I started it.”

  Very little happens in Stella’s world that she cannot assume control of eventually. I know that, even though her appearance indicates that she’s had a rough time of it recently. As I take in painful-looking marks and bruises over her jet-black skin, ripped armor in places, and traces of blood, she grabs hold of my collar with one hand. More strangling, and I tense instinctively.

  “What are you—”

  “Stay still, Commander,” she barks.

  A soft tingle and a spark of harmless electricity later, I am free once again. Stella drops the collar and she pulls me up with all the gentleness I have come to expect of her: zero. It’s too fast. The blood rushes out of my head and I pitch forward, ready to pass out.

  “Breathe,” she instructs.

  She’s good at lavishing such obvious wisdom on me. I think she honestly thinks that she’s being helpful. All it does is piss me off.

  “Doing my best, Stella, okay?” I groan.

  She grabs onto a fistful of my shirt, supposedly to hold me steady, and growls an order in my face.

  “Fill me in. Now.”

  She smells of sweat and blood, and her very own brand of warrior perfume. It tickles me in the right places. My oxygen-starved brain makes me linger on her lips. She gives me a hard shake to regain my attention.

  “Focus! Give me a sit-rep.”

  “Uh… Yeah. Your team is here.”

  “Tali?” She sounds hopeful, all of a sudden.

  “Yeah. Tali, Krya, and the others.”

  “Excellent. Where is here?”

  A painful coughing fit prevents me from answering quickly enough. She smacks her lips impatiently in reaction. Not a shred of compassion, while my lungs threaten to break apart inside my chest. Fuck! It hurts. Bryn comes back on.

  “Red, you copy? Shit. Talk to me, goddammit! Red!”

  If he’s swearing like that, he must be worried, alright.

  CHAPTER

  19

  Stella takes over. Or it might be more accurate to say that she remains in charge… Either way, I welcome the initiative.

  “The commander is doing fine, Bryn,” she assures him.

  I nod, even as I continue to lose my breath. She relaxes her grip enough to allow me to lean forward and spit soot and blood onto the floor. Okay… Better now. I’ll be fine. I give her an okay sign, and she yanks me back up.

  “Hey, take it easy.”

  She stares, visibly not impressed by what I guess she would consider as a lack of gratitude on my part.

  “Ah, Stella!” Bryn exclaims. “Hey, you got me worried for a half-second.”

  “Don’t worry,” she declares. “Everything’s under control.”

  “Well done, Red,” Bryn adds.

  Stella grunts, but doesn’t waste our precious time correcting him. We both know the score. She found me, not the other way around. If not for her timely intervention, I’d be drinking beer in heaven with my fallen Navy comrades by now. Not such a bad prospect to consider… All the same, I would rather stay here a bit longer, with my irritating, stubborn, sexy-as-hell Antalosian friend.

  “Be aware, this prison also houses a regiment of the Krohn army,” she announces.

  Shit, I didn’t know that… She flashes me a lustful look, and I know her well enough by now to realize that she’s turned on at the idea of a hard fight. An excited Stella is a beautiful sight to behold, whether on the battlefield or in a more intimate setting. She notices me drifting off and knocks me on the shoulder.

  “The commander and I are going to blast our way out of here now,” she says.

  I smile in approval. She’s talking like it’s a done deal, and I’ve no doubt it will soon be.

  “Good to hear,” Bryn replies in the same confident tone. “Krya’s disabled the outer security shields. We’ll see you on the other side. Red, she neutralized the collars as well, okay?”

  “Awesome,” I reply, although Stella did it first.

  “Let’s get going,” she concludes.

  I grab the second pistol I stole off the dead guard and check that it’s fully loaded. Steady hands now, clear vision. Still feeling weak from being strangled to the brink of death, but I can count on adrenalin to keep me going.

  “Are you good?” Stella asks.

  “Yeah.”

  She sticks her finger under my chin and lifts my head up. I push her off.

  “I’m good,” I repeat. “We’ve got to move.”

  “I was moving, Commander,” she points out. “Before I had to stop to save your ass. Again.”

  “That’s the thing with you, Antalosians,” I shrug. “You are way too easily distracted.”

  She keeps her eyes locked onto mine, even as the fire causes a portion of the ceiling above to collapse. Clearly demonstrating that she is not so easily distracted. Yeah, alright.

  “Is everything a damn challenge with you?” I mutter.

  There is shouting in the distance. Automatic weapons being fired, explosions. For sure, we have to get out, but she remains in place.

  “What now, Stella?”

  “Just wondering about your kind,” she smirks. “So many attempted jokes, so many failures... Humor is really not a thing with you, humans, is it?”

  “Fuck you, hey,” I reply evenly.

  Her gaze softens. Only for a brief moment, easily missed if I were not paying attention. But I am, and I catch the smile behind her eyes.

  “You wish,” she tells me.

  “Already have, babe.”

  I almost flinch when she raises her hand, used as I am to her rough responses, but she rests it gently on the side of my face. I am foolish enough in that instant to expect a solemn declaration. Perhaps a heartfelt thank-you for putting my life on the line for her. Or even, if I’m very lucky, one of those mind-blowing kisses I know she can deliver. But she simply smiles; shoots me a smug wink.

  “You’re cute, Commander. Now: focus. And keep up.”

  On that, she’s off, and I have no choice but to scramble after her. Thanks to her patronizing line, though, my legs no longer feel weak. She’s got me fired up, and some Krohn, somewhere, is going to pay for my frustration. It happens quickly. As we exit the room and move down the corridor, away from all the smoke, a troop of Krohn soldiers appear in front of us. Five of them, armed to the teeth. Stella lets out a battle cry that sounds like a joyful yell, and she tears into the pack with fists flying. She drops the first two before they can even blink. I shoot three and four in the head, and she stabs the fifth one in the throat.

  “Not bad,” she comments. “Keep going.”

  I’m fully recovered now, and she makes me chuckle. Can’t wait to find out how the great warrior got her cover blown, and why she allowed herself to be captured.

  “You too,” I reply.

  It’s a free-for-all inside the main holding area. Pretty much looks like the whole inmate population have assembled there, and are now frantically engaged in attempting to reach the other side. There is only one exit, about three-hundred prisoners going for it, and not a single one of them is willing to wait. Climbing all over each other, out for themselves, and zero cooperation... It is no surprise to see a few isolated fights start to break off.

  “Idiots.”

  Stella yells her opinion over the noise of the crowd. Yes, for sure… But I can understand, too. If I’d been a real inmate in this place for any length of time, I would also be fighting like crazy for my one chance to escape.

  “The Krohn military are at the gate,” Bryn updates. “Fierce resistance.”

  “We’re cleaning up,” Tali jumps in to add, and she sounds delighted. In her element, for sure. “Back with you two shortly, Boss!”

  Getting through this crowd is like swimming through mud. Slow and sticky, with the additional risk of taking a punch in the face. Of course, we manage, but it’s not long before I notice a line of Krohn advancing on the walkway above.

  “Stella.”

  “Seen,” she replies.

  She also grabs hold of me and pushes me to the side.

  “What are you doing?” I protest.

  “Just stay behind me, Commander.”

  “What for? We need to get up there, Stella!”

  “You need to be extra-careful,” she replies. “Naked as you are, uh?”

  I guess she means to say that I’m not wearing armor. Good point. I didn’t forget it, and I’ll be careful, yes. Cowering behind her though, probably not.

  “I’m fine,” I simply acknowledge.

  Laser shots rain down on the crowd, which means the two of us as well. And not just from above, but all sides. The Krohn are here in numbers and determined to regain control of the situation. Now, there is a stampede. Prisoners scream in panic and rage. Bodies start to fall. This is intense. We find temporary cover behind a couple of fresh corpses.

  “Tali, where you at?” Stella inquires.

  “In,” she replies. “Approaching the courtyard.”

  We’re not the only ones who’ve acquired weapons, and the few inmates who are able to do it start to return fire. But as I raise my pistol to do the same, Stella slaps a brutal hand down over it.

  “Keep your ammo, Commander. We’re not here to defend this place or join an uprising. Bigger fish to fry, believe me. Let’s get out of here.”

  We creep along the side toward the exit in a hail of bullets and laser fire. I return shots when I need to, but otherwise follow Stella’s advice. She’s right about this. The goal was to come in, find her, and get the hell out. We’re almost there.

  “Whose idea was it to send you after me?” she asks.

  Trust her to want to carry out a debrief in the middle of a damn battle.

  “Tali’s,” I reply. “Mine, too.”

  “Uh,” she grunts. “Guess it made sense at the time.”

  “You think?” I push her. “Why? ‘Cos I’m only human?”

  She glances back with an ironic smile.

  “Ah… Touchy, are we?”

  “Not really.” I fire at one of the Krohn guards, hit bullseye once again, and treat her to a dose of her own sarcasm. “I’m not the one who needed rescuing in the first place, am I?”

  “No?” she snorts. “Could have fooled me!”

  I know she’s enjoying our little exchange. So am I. Trading friendly insults with a fearless partner, as we carry on dodging lasers and armor-piercing bullets, is great fun in my book. Then, she growls a warning; GET DOWN! And lets loose a single bullet over my head.

  “Heard about combat situational awareness, Commander? It’s a good skill to develop.”

  Up above, right behind her, a lone enemy fighter is lining her up for a head shot. I also shoot a single bullet, and she makes a sour face when his lifeless body lands on the floor with a loud thump.

  “Yes,” I grin. “Have you?”

  “Don’t get too cocky, Redfield.”

  I chuckle when I recall my recent advice to Nerys, and get on to Bryn via the comm.

  “We’ll be out in the courtyard in a few seconds.”

  “Roger that, Red,” he replies. “Meet you there.”

  As we reach the exit, a belligerent Torq attempts to push Stella aside. Bad idea. There is no hesitation, no question asked: she puts him down with a lightning-quick karate strike. It’s an effective move. Needless to say, the Torq never saw it coming, and he doesn’t try again. Doesn’t move, either. She used the back edge of her hand to hit him across the throat with maximum force. I’m sure she destroyed his larynx. That she aimed to kill him is obvious. She didn’t have to, but it’s the Antalosian way, and a clear warning to the other inmates still surrounding us.

  “Not bad,” I nod.

  “Focus,” she growls. “That’s the thing with you, humans…”

  I don’t hear the rest. The noise of battle in the courtyard is worse than where we came from. This is no reassuring thing, but I also instantly spot Bryn, Tali, and another Antalosian warrior, in a secure holding position behind a destroyed security vehicle. The surrounding buildings are all ablaze.

  “Come on!” Tali yells. “We’ve got you!”

  Our team hold steady, returning fierce fire, providing cover for us. Exactly as promised. These guys are fucking awesome if you ask me.

  “You go on first, Commander,” Stella instructs. I throw her a dubious glance, and she barks out a laugh. “Since you’re all nude and vulnerable. Just like Bambi.”

  I wonder how an Antalosian like her has heard of Bambi, when Garth Brooks himself has not survived the passing of time. Anyway. Said vulnerable person sprints across the open expanse of ground. Five seconds later, I slide in next to Bryn, unscathed and grinning.

  “Good to have you back, Red,” he smiles.

  “Thanks, Bryn. Hey, Tali. Good job!”

  She nods, and Stella is next to re-join. Knowing their stance on emotions, I don’t expect more than a nod of acknowledgment between her and her fellow Antalosian. A brief smile at the most. But the look Stella gives Tali is chilling. If my CO ever stared at me like that, I would know I was in trouble, for sure. Probably of the career-ending type. I see Tali flinch in reaction. She drops her eyes.

  “Stay on it!” Bryn orders.

  He’s talking to everyone, and I welcome the reminder. Once we’re back on the ship, I can observe Stella’s leadership style to my heart’s content. First, I have to see this mission through.

  “We’re moving out, yeah?” I prompt.

  “Be a great idea, team,” pilot Eric comes on to say. “Don’t mean to put too much pressure on you, but I’ve got a crowd of prisoners circling around the Storm Dancer like they want to get intimate.”

  “Let’s move,” Stella instructs.

  She’s off again without waiting for a response, confident that we will all follow. We do, with a very motivated Tali in the lead.

  CHAPTER

  20

  We’re almost at the ship when we are forced to stop again, to deal with yet one more troop of Krohn soldiers. I don’t know how many make up a regiment, but new ones keep popping up, and they sure as hell are aggressive. We’re good, but it would be a mistake to assume that our escape will be a fait-accompli. They are well-armed and accurate shooters, and if not for the fact that an entire population of inmates are also fighting them, I think we would struggle to stay on top of the situation. As it is, Krya and the others are providing cover fire from the ship, allowing us to push forward. That’s when I notice that Tali has fallen behind. She is standing on her own behind a piece of the destroyed wall, relying on her electric skills now, instead of her weapon. They’ve got her well pinned down in place.

  “Tali! Are you alright?”

  She glances my way.

  “I’m out of ammo.”

  “I’ve got—"

  “Get out of here, Commander,” Stella barks.

  I ignore that order and just continue to shoot in support. We need every bullet, and whatever else we can muster.

  “Do your thing, Stella,” I yell.

  She grunts in reply and slams the Krohn with a much more powerful strike than Tali was able to produce. Great. This allows the stranded warrior to catch up. Meanwhile, Bryn and the rest have already reached the ship.

  “Now, let’s go!” Stella hisses.

  That’s when I notice the little green dot hovering over Tali’s forehead. Oh, shit. I know what sort of weapon come with target acquisition tech in this world: the ones that fire laser bullets able to bring down a shuttle. There is no time to turn and fire at the sniper. No way to warn Tali, either. I have fallen into the sort of state in which I feel hyper-aware, conscious of every tiny thing happening at this precise moment. I see Stella in front of us, throwing juice balls, not sparing a drop of energy in order to keep us safe. I hear Bryn, calling us forward over the noise of Krohn gunfire. Out of the corner of my eye, I also spot a puff of smoke unfolding in the most beautiful shape. All this I notice, in a heartbeat or even less. Time does stop, indeed, in life-or-death situations. It’s the last thought that occurs to me; that this is one of those, and that it may be my last. I throw myself at Tali, slam hard into her to knock her off the path of the bullet to come. Time is elastic now too, and it feels like we’re floating in the air for a long time. I close my eyes, tighten my arms around her, and feel her involuntary gasp as we hit the floor. We slide… Again, feels like forever. At the back of my mind, echoey and indistinct, I hear Stella shout a bunch of orders. She sounds pissed-off and it makes me smile again. Yeah... Typical. In the next instant, everything snaps back to normal. I feel rough ground under me. Bryn is yelling something about casualties. I wonder about that, but not for very long. Suddenly, it feels as if my shoulder just implodes. I’m no stranger to battle wounds or training injuries. I’m used to pain and have a high tolerance threshold for it. But this, now… FUCK! I never knew this kind of pain could be felt. It's like being stabbed, beaten, and on fire... All at the same time, from the inside out, and I fear it will be too much to handle, even for me. Stella’s face comes into sharp focus.