Page 2 of Star Mates

The whole thing only lasted a second, maybe two. The ship lurched like a fish on a hook, groaned once and was still.

Breathing hard, Raiden thrust his console back and swiveled his chair around to get a good look at his partner. “Two grapplers, huh?” He raised a thumb and tapped his chest with it. “That was originally my idea.”

Pikon’s mouth dropped open. “What do you mean, your idea? You were sweating for help!”

“Three years ago, after our run from Unaira’s third moon. Our port thruster was hit when we entered the Rings. I used two grapplers.”

Pikon scratched his chin. “I have no recollection of that. I think you’re just jealous because I just stabilized us on two asteroids.”

The ship lurched again.

“Hmm,” Pikon frowned, looking back at his monitor. “Okay, maybe the word stable wasn’t exactly correct.”

“Yank the grapplers or they’ll pull us in two. Now,” Raiden frowned as he swirled to face the window, “who were our friends out there?”

“The ship isn’t there anymore,” Pikon muttered. “Must have hit an asteroid.”

“No, there’d be debris.” Raiden flipped a switch and started to scout around the area. “It’s gotta be around here somewhere.”

“If the ship was running hell-bent through an asteroid field then do we really want to help them?”

“There are many people who come here, Pikon. Look at us, for instance.”

“Yes,” Pikon muttered. “Look at us. Potential space dust a few minutes ago until my brilliant maneuver.”

“Let it go, my friend.”

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