29. New Possibilities
29
New Possibilities
H ours passed, or maybe days - who knew. The Crimson Claw continued its erratic journey, shuddering and groaning as if in pain. I'd given up trying to sleep, instead spending my time pacing, exercising as best I could in the confined space, and listening intently for any snippets of information from passing crew members.
From what I could gather, the situation aboard the pirate ship was growing increasingly desperate. The Zenobia Nebula was living up to its reputation as a navigational nightmare. Intense gravity shears threatened to tear the ship apart, while unpredictable pockets of radiation played havoc with their sensors and shields.
But it was the effect on the crew that fascinated me most. With their captain gone - and I was now certain Zharrox had killed him during the attack on the Stryker - the chain of command had fractured. Krothar had seized control, but his authority was tenuous at best. Arguments and even physical fights were breaking out with increasing frequency.
I was pondering this when my cell door suddenly slid open again. I tensed, expecting Krothar's hulking form, but instead found myself facing a new alien.
This one was shorter, probably only about five feet tall, with a body covered in iridescent scales that shifted color as it moved. Huge, luminous black eyes regarded me with undisguised curiosity. Long black lashes fanned across the cheek with every blink. It was almost pretty.
"So, you're the alien everyone's been arguing about," the newcomer said, its voice a melodious, and definitely feminine trill. "I must say, you don't look like much."
I bristled at the casual dismissal. "Sorry to disappoint. I left my 'exotic alien' costume in my other cell."
The scaled alien's eyes widened, then she let out a chittering sound that I realized was laughter. "Oh, you've got spirit! I like that. It's Shara, by the way."
I blinked, taken aback by the unexpected friendliness. "I'm Nova," I said cautiously. "Why are you here?"
Shara glanced over her shoulder, then stepped further into my cell, allowing the door to slide shut behind her. "Officially? I'm supposed to be checking on you, making sure our 'valuable cargo' is still in good condition." Her scales rippled in what I was beginning to recognize as amusement. "Unofficially? I was curious. We don't often get new species out this way, let alone ones that cause this much trouble."
I raised an eyebrow. "Trouble? Me? I've been locked in this cell since you brought me aboard."
"Oh, not you personally," Shara waved a hand dismissively. "But ever since we took you, everything's gone to gumpta shit. Vex'kar is dead, we're stuck in this void-cursed nebula, and half the crew is ready to mutiny against Kothar." She fixed me intently with her bottomless void of a gaze. "Some are saying you're cursed. That we should space you and be done with it."
A chill ran down my spine. "Space me? What does that mean? Throw me out of the airlock?"
Shara's scales darkened as she nodded. "Yes, but I think that's nonsense. But I also think there's more to you than meets the eye. Where did you come from and how did that pirate vessel get hold of you?" She gave a disgusted snort. "It wasn't smart of Krothar to grab you."
I hesitated, unsure how much to reveal. But something in Shara's manner made me want to trust her. Maybe it was just desperation for some kind of friendly contact after days of isolation.
"No," I said, trying to figure out what I could tell her that would help me in this situation. "It wasn't. The captain, Zharrox - he's... important. Powerful. And he's not going to stop looking for me."
Shara's scales paled to a light green. "I was afraid of that. Krothar's a fool if he thinks we can outrun someone like that, especially in our current state." She sighed, her shoulders slumping. "This whole thing was a mistake. We never should have attacked your ship."
I leaned forward, sensing an opportunity. "Then help me. Help me get a message to Zharrox. I'm sure he'd be willing to negotiate for my safe return."
Shara's scales flickered rapidly, a sign of internal conflict. "It's not that simple. Krothar would have my hide if he even suspected I was talking to you like this. And even if I wanted to help, our comms are barely functioning in this nebula."
Before I could press further, a distant explosion rocked the ship, and we staggered into each other. Alarms began blaring, and I could hear shouts and running footsteps in the corridor outside.
Shara cursed in a language that my translator didn't interpret. "I have to go. But listen, Nova - keep your head down. Things are only going to get worse before they get better."
With that cryptic warning, she slammed her hand against the electronic lock and slipped out of my cell.
"Wait! Don't leave me in here!" I cried out, reaching for her as the door slid closed in my face. I was about to pound on it and demand she release me, but my hand froze midway to the metal.
A small sliver of light was coming from one edge of the door. Could it be? Moving closer, I studied the area. The pneumatic closure hadn't sealed. Placing my ear against the thin opening, I listened intently. The only voices I heard were far away and indistinct.
I sucked in a breath, suddenly feeling slightly lightheaded. Biting my bottom lip, I worked the tips of my fingers into the slit, praying the door didn't come to life and amputate them all. I gave it a little pull, then snatched my fingers away in case the door was reactivated. Nothing.
Sweat began to drip down the center of my back and my palms grew damp with nerves. Wiping them on my dirty pants, I took a deep breath before sticking my fingers in the space again and pulling. The metal gave just the barest bit. I whipped my hands out of the opening again and waiting. No movement.
Glancing at the rectangle where the aliens placed their hands to work the automatic door, I saw that the normally dim red light there was black. There was no power to the door. I grinned.