Page 50 of Crossing Quinn

Chapter Eleven

I stepped onto the bridge and did a double-take. Qeeturah’s atmosphere was streaked with bands of red and orange. Not good.

“A major sandstorm is pounding the planet. It’s creating some unusual crosswinds,” Quinn advised, handing my mother several pieces of chocolate.

I checked the planetary scanners. The winds had reached hurricane force. “The sand will distort Nilus’s scanners and clog his ship’s intake manifolds. He won’t be able to launch until the storm dissipates.”

Mami snorted. “Nilus is a fool. He won’t let the sandstorm stop him.” She stuffed a piece of candy in her mouth.

“Before the storm hit, I located Lysis in a cavern beneath the stone city.” Quinn shot a worried look at my mother. “He’s injured.”

Joy bubbled up in me. Quinn had found Papa. How awesome was that?

Mami cried, “How badly?”

“I’m not sure. I can’t get an accurate reading.”

“Papa’s still alive. That’s all that matters, Mami,” I said firmly, trying not to let my fear show. If his injuries were too severe, we would have to put him in a medically induced coma until we could reach Tanith.

“Yes. Yes. Of course, he still lives. Lysis is a berserker.” Mami turned on Quinn and snapped, “What are you waiting for? Go get him.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

I wanted to go with Quinn, but I couldn’t leave Mami alone. She once tried to fly our ship and clipped an asteroid. Thankfully, there hadn’t been a hull breach. If my mother got worked up enough, she would do anything to get to Papa. “Do you have a med kit, Quinn?”

Quinn gently brushed his hand over my cheek. “I do. You have my promise that I’ll bring your father back to you.” He touched his communications bracelet, and his battle suit sprouted armor. A helmet formed around his head.

I asked mentally, “Will it distract you if I link with you?”

“No. I like having you in my head. Just keep your mother out of the loop.”

“Not a problem.”

“The bridge is yours,” Quinn said out loud.

I nodded. “Be careful. Don’t remove your suit for any reason. I want children.”

“Me too.” Quinn vanished.

Mami paced nervously. “Lysis is fine. Lysis is fine. Lysis is fine. Lysis is fine.”

Through my link, I was with Quinn as he teleported into a cavern covered with glowing blue glyphs. My father’s bloody form was sprawled on the floor. To my relief, Papa’s chest was rising and falling. I knew berserkers were notoriously hard to kill, but we could die.

Pulling out the med kit, Quinn bent down and ran it over my father. “He has a broken left arm, two broken ribs, a concussion, and badly lacerated scalp. Healing will take fifteen minutes.” Quinn triggered the unit.

Mami tugged on my arm. “Did Quinn find him?”

“Yes. He’s healing Papa’s injuries.”

“Oh, thank the Goddess,” Mami cried.

The relic hunter in me was awestruck at the glyphs. “We haven’t explored this part of the city yet.”

“Don’t worry darlin’. I’ll scan the glyphs,”Quinn replied. Holding up his communications bracelet, he mapped the cavern.

“Don’t forget the one behind that boulder, lovey.”

“Got it.”Quinn continued his scan. His communications bracelet started beeping. “Lysis should regain consciousness shortly.”

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