Page 28 of Rupture

Where is everyone?

No signs of struggle, no sign of where they might have gone.

The hairs on the back of her neck stood on end, a primal warning that made her want to get back in the water and swim to the light and never look back.

Stop it.She exhaled a shaky breath.

She headed back to the main dive room in warm clothes retrieved from her dry bag, the soft fabric a welcome relief after the clammy grip of her wetsuit.

The Wolves had also discarded their wet gear. Finn had changed into black cargoes and a t-shirt that strained across the width of his chest. The ink on his forearms flexed as he buckled his belt, the intricate designs becoming taut with each movement. Unable to help herself, she studied the chiseled contour of his body.

“Rose?” Finn looked up abruptly, and hisgaze locked with hers.

Shit.Her cheeks blazed hot. He’d spotted her ogling him.

She spun on her heel and headed over to where Liev and Ethan prepared to open the main door that would give them access to the Io habitat.

“Ready?” Liev asked over his shoulder, his voice tight.

No.

But the Wolves answered with clipped grunts, the faces around Rose set with determination.

Liev hit the access panel on the main exit, and the door slid open with a hushed whoosh of air.

Rose held her breath. The corridor was empty. They were alone.

The space beyond was dimly lit, the emergency lighting set high in the walls, casting a red glow. The opposite wall was glass, offering an uninterrupted view of the far side of the habitat, where it curved back on itself in a huge donut shape.

Her breath stuck in her dry throat, trepidation coursing through her veins.This is it. This is what we came for.

Ethan stepped out into the space, his weapon raised as he scanned the gloom. “Corridor clear. Liev, status?”

Liev shadowed him, their backs bumping as they moved in unison. “Rear clear. No contact.”

“Copy that.” Ethan lowered his weapon, his stance relaxing a little. “Emergency power is our priority and confirmation that life support is stable.”

He studied the habitat floor plan on the compact tablet strapped to his forearm, his brow furrowed with concentration. “Liev, the Environmental Control Hub is on the lower floor. Get down there with Luca and engage the primary power supply and confirm life support logistics. Finn, you’re with me. We’ll head to the command center and liaise with Liev. Once we have our critical systems online, we can take our time to assess the situation and determine what the fuck’s happened here. Stay sharp, keep your eyes and ears open. We don’t know what we’re walking into, and any crew members we find may be in a distressed state. Any questions?”

Rose raised a hand, her gut churning. “What about me?”

Finn held her in place with his gaze. “You’re with me.”

16

Rose followedEthan and Finn down the curved corridor, her ramping pulse making her fingertips numb. The emergency lighting cast long shadows that seemed to writhe with a life of their own. To her left, the black water pressed against the glass, an impenetrable darkness that threatened to swallow them whole. On her right, the doors to the crew quarters lined their path like silent sentinels.

There should be the noise of people here coming in and out of their rooms. The general hubbub of human life. But instead, there was nothing.

Where the hell is everyone?

“Main command room’s up ahead.” Ethan’s stride was efficient, his long legs eating up the distance. “We’ll have a better overview of what’s going on from there.”

Their footsteps echoed through the empty, curving corridor, the sound bouncing off the walls and ceiling in a discordant cacophony that set Rose’s teeth on edge. Like Ethan, Finn carried his pulse rifle at the ready, the sleek black weapon held with an illusory casual ease.

Guns.They were the jarring note clashing witheverything she’d been told about this mission. No one had said anything to her about weapons being required.

She drew level with the two men, breaking into a jog to keep up with them. “You have guns.”

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