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I hesitated only a fraction of a second before placing my foot in his hands. With a surge of strength, Varek launched me into the air, sending me sailing over the bubbling pool to land safely on the other side.

I spun around immediately. "Varek!"

He backed up several paces, eyes fixed on the gap. Even at full strength, the jump would be challenging. In his current state...

Varek charged forward, his face a mask of determination. He reached the edge and leaped, powerful legs propelling him through the air. For a moment, he seemed to hang suspended, and I feared he wouldn't make it.

Then he crashed down beside me, rolling to absorb the impact. We scrambled away from the field just as a massive eruption sent steam and boiling mud shooting skyward behind us.

Safe on solid ground, I turned to Varek. His pant leg was scorched away, revealing an angry red burn on his calf to match the one on his shoulder.

"You're hurt. Again."

"Acceptable cost." He rose to his feet, testing his weight on the injured leg. "We made it across."

I wanted to argue, to tell him he didn't need to keep sacrificing himself, but movement in the trees ahead caught my attention. Something large shifted in the underbrush, and a low growl rumbled through the clearing.

"We've got company." I nodded toward the sound.

Varek tensed, instantly alert despite his injuries. "Predators."

"Probably displaced by Hammond's operation." I scanned our surroundings, counting at least three large shapes moving through the rain-soaked vegetation. "They sound hungry."

"And we look like food." Varek picked up a broken branch, testing its weight. "Stay behind me."

The first creature emerged from the underbrush—a sleek, wolf-like animal with six legs and iridescent scales instead of fur. Its eyes glowed amber in the dim light, fixed on us with predatory focus. Two more appeared flanking it, moving with eerie coordination.

"Trelleth pack," Varek murmured. "They hunt in groups of three or more."

"Any weaknesses I should know about?"

"They're fast but not particularly smart. They rely on coordinated attacks from multiple directions."

The lead Trelleth snarled, revealing rows of needle-sharp teeth. It began circling to our right while its packmates moved left, attempting to flank us.

"Back to back," Varek ordered, positioning himself so we covered each other's blind spots.

The creatures continued their circling, tightening the noose around us. I frantically searched for anything I could use as a weapon or distraction.

My hand brushed my dead scanner. Useless for navigation now, but maybe...

"I have an idea," I whispered to Varek. "When I say now, be ready to attack the leader."

"What are you planning?"

"Just be ready." I began working on the scanner, prying open its case with my fingernails. If I could cross-wire the power cell to the display circuits...

The Trelleth tensed, preparing to spring. I worked faster, fingers slipping on the wet components.

"They're about to attack," Varek warned, his makeshift spear held ready.

"Almost got it." I connected the final wire, creating a circuit that would overload the scanner's light elements. "Now!"

I hurled the scanner directly at the lead Trelleth's face and covered my eyes. The device exploded in a blinding flash, momentarily disorienting the predators.

Varek lunged forward with unexpected speed, driving his improvised spear into the lead creature's shoulder. It howled in pain, retreating several steps.

The other two Trelleth hesitated, confused by their leader's retreat and the lingering spots in their vision from the flash. I seized the moment, concentrating on my markings until they flared with silver light, projecting a pattern that mimicked the electrical signals of a much larger predator.