Page 57 of Surface Pressure

“Walton.” Trent sing-songed her name as he drew closer.

“What do you want?” she asked, not even bothering with a smoldering look or a fuck-you. He wasn’t even worth her time.

“Oh, are you all scared about a long dive?” He pushed his lips out in mockery of her assumed fear. It did nothing to improve his overall looks, which really weren’t all that to boast about in the first place.

“No. Are you?” She looked up and met his eyes.

His face contorted into a scowl as it reddened. He stepped closer, towering threateningly over where she sat.

The laughter echoed around them, and Marshall popped out from the officer’s door just a few steps away from where they were.

“Nice burn, Walton.” Marshall slapped a hand down on Autumn’s shoulder.

She knew she should have been grateful for the show of solidarity, for his willingness to stand up for her to Trent, but the pressure had built too much inside her. Each pulse of her blood made her want to scream and lash out just a little bit more.

But she couldn’t do that to Marshall. He had been the closest thing she ever had to a friend, except of course for Soulara. But she shook her head and pushed that thought away.

“What can I say, shit burns easily.” What the fuck? Had she really said that aloud. What had gotten in to her? Sure, the impending doom of this mission, knowing she had put not only her own life but the lives of all those joining her in jeopardy, had something to do with it. But if the information she’d fed to Soulara could help them save their planet and entire race, then it was well worth it. Humans had fucked themselves over. They didn’t need to take anyone else with them.

“Screw you.” Trent spat on the ground near Autumn’s feet before storming back to where he had sauntered in from.

“Walk it off, Trent!” Marshall called out. “We don’t need the attitude on the dive.”

Trent didn’t respond, and Marshall didn’t release Autumn’s shoulder until Trent had disappeared around the corner.

“I figured you’d be here early. But antagonizing Trent isn’t a great idea.”

“Does it matter?” Autumn spat out before she could stop herself. She had to get over this mood she was in. Then again, they’d all likely be dead within the day so it didn’t really matter, did it?

“What wouldn’t it?” Marshall furrowed his brow as he sat down beside her.

“Do you ever think maybe we aren’t the good guys?” Autumn bit her tongue. She really needed to shut up. Quick.

“What?” The lines at the bridge of his nose deepened.

“I can’t help wondering why it’s so important to take everything from all the planets.” In for a penny, she thought. “What if we don’t deserve to live? I mean we created this problem, didn’t we?”

“We’re saving our people, Walton.” Marshall’s voice softened, but he came off like he was talking to a toddler throwing a fit.

“But at what cost?” She really wasn’t going to give this up, was she?

“The planets aren’t inhabited. They aren’t helping anyone. Taking what our people need makes us heroes, not the bad guys.”

Autumn opened her mouth but snapped it shut again when she met Marshall’s eyes.

“Are you really that worried about a longer dive?” he asked.

“Seriously?” Autumn snapped. Why would she be worried they were all going to die? It’d probably be better escape than the military.

“I’m not asking to be an ass.” He shook his head. “I’m asking because most people are on their first longer dive. And if you’ve already got cabin fever, then maybe you need to go see doc and get something before we go.”

“It’s not the length of the dive,” Autumn conceded. She needed to distract him because she wasn’t going to convince them not to go. Which meant, she had to trust that Soulara had gotten the information she needed in order to fight back. “Guess I’m just tired.”

“Don’t worry, Walton. You’re in my collector.” Marshall stood up and gave Autumn a dazzling and charming smile. If she were inclined to his sex, she might even find it attractive. “I won’t let you drown.”

The words punched Autumn in the stomach. But she forced a smile onto her face and nodded her thanks.

Thankfully others filtered into the bay, and before long, her quiet solitude was overrun with loud voices, shuffling feet, and last-minute commands.

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