Page 57 of Shadows Approach

“You probably know as much as I do. Weird shadow things with long legs or tentacles clinging onto everyone, somehow accessing their memories and operating them as if they’re them…but they aren’t.” Darir set aside the injector and knelt to rub Ilid’s legs to help restore circulation.

“What about us breaking orbit? When did that happen?”

“Five hours ago. I was told was we had an emergency elsewhere. Information’s on a need-to-know basis, and they said I had no need to know. Umen and the others acted pissed off, as if something bad was up.”

Ilid wondered if his message to his father had been received and passed on to the fleet. Were the riders reacting to a threat from headquarters? Any ship coming to check on them would be days away, giving the spyship an opportunity to elude capture.

Where was the ship going? Phased, it could go nearly anywhere and escape detection.

“Laro Station is the nearest place we could go. Do you think we’re headed there?”

“I have no idea. All I have a handle on is Medical. I’d started backup training in basic operations, but once the dark things came on board, it was canceled. Unless you want me to administer meds and first aid, I’m useless.” His voice choked.

“You got me free of this bed.” Ilid felt worlds better as the pain was erased. After a glance at his terribly scarred torso, he avoided looking at himself again. “Clothes. An armored formsuit, if it’s possible?”

“They must have stuck your uniform in the closet.” Darir rose and went to the closet embedded in the wall. “Here it is. Do you normally wear your armored piece?”

“When I’m in the shuttle bay, it’s protocol. Though they stopped assigning me there when the riders took over, I kept wearing it. It doesn’t do a damned bit of good to keep them off, but…it made me feel safer than the unarmored gear.” He flushed as he stepped his tingling feet and legs into the blue-trimmed black one-piece. He was glad his hair hid his face.

“I wish I had armor. How are you feeling?”

“I’m getting there, but I wouldn’t mind some help pulling on my boots.”

“No problem. Is there anything we can do? Did I expose myself just so they can torture both of us now? Honestly, I’d rather die than go through what you have.”

“We’ll go to Engineering.” The memory of its crew, one dripping miniature shadows that raced over the plasma generators, flashed in his mind. He could hardly believe he’d be able to put the desperate plot he’d concocted in action. “We can attack the phase mechanism at the very least and expose the ship. I could damage the power converters. It would allow any pursuing vessel a chance to overtake us.”

“They’ll kill you,” Darir fretted. He’d gotten Ilid’s boots on, and the Dramok tested his ability to walk.

“They were already doing that. You’ve given me the chance to bring them along for the ride.” His legs were wobbly, but they held him up. Barely. If he had to run in the next ten minutes, he’d be screwed.

There was no help for it. “I can’t be seen outside Medical. You’ll have to walk ahead of me and scout our route to Engineering, warn me if I’m about to encounter someone. Will you help me, Darir?”

The Imdiko visibly trembled, but he squared his shoulders. “It’s probably the only help I can give you. I’m pretty useless.”

“Don’t sell yourself short. If it weren’t for you, I’d still be helpless on the bed. Hey, I don’t suppose there are blasters anywhere in Medical?”

“No.” Once more, he was near tears.

“We can grab them in Engineering. I know where they’re stored.” Making it there would be a miracle, however.

Ilid didn’t kid himself why he wanted a blaster. Dark-ridden or not, the Nobeks of the spyship would take him out in the time it would require him to aim. He had no hope of defeating men trained within an inch of their lives.

He wouldn’t fight them. If he were lucky enough to snag firepower, he’d blast his own head off rather than be recaptured. As well as Darir’s. The poor guy deserved a quicker death than what Dr. Umen would offer.

He lurched to the door and peered into the admitting area. As the Imdiko had said, it was abandoned at the moment. “Check the corridor. See if it’s clear.”

Darir hurried to the open doorway and looked up and down the corridor. He waved Ilid forward.

“Just walk to Engineering as if you have every right to do so. I’ll follow several feet behind. If you round a corner and see anyone, wave inconspicuously.” The Dramok showed him by holding his arm straight at his side and slightly twiddling his fingers. “Then act as if you’d forgotten something and return…casually…to Medical. We’ll regroup and try when the situation is better.”

There wouldn’t be a better time. It was now or never, but his rescuer needed all the encouragement Ilid could offer.

“Okay.” Darir drew a deep breath. “What if someone comes up behind us and catches you?”

“Act clueless. If you remain free, you might have the opportunity to cut me loose again.”

Darir’s gaze was uncertain. He knew how lame the plan was. “I guess it’s our best hope. Wait a second.”

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