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8

Allie

My heart is pounding.

I wasn't sure the jammer device would work. I got it installed in a back-alley modification center, and developed an infection in my arm as a result. The infection caused a fever so bad that I missed a whole week of work at Spur’s joint, and almost got fired.

It was my own fault – you get what you pay for. The infection was bad enough, but given how sloppy they’d been about implanting the device, it wouldn’t have been difficult to imagine the device not working at all when I actually needed it.

Thankfully, itdidwork.

The device in my arm is designed to create a feedback loop that shorts out an Orb-Drive as it powers up to shift – kind of like the way an electromagnetic pulse can knock out and short electronic circuits.

As a result of using it, the Orb-Drive of this Reaver will now be out of commission – entirely inoperative until they get the blown circuits fixed. It’s not a massive task – but Orb-Drives are rare and expensive, and the tools and expertise to fix them isn’t widely available.

I doubt there’s even a place that could fix the burned-out circuits back on the planet we’ve just left – and it’s not like those three Aurelians could take me back there anyway. Spur might not have pursued us off-world – but he’ll still be out for their blood if they return.

So, that means the first stage of my plan has been completed.

I look around the dimly lit cell. I might have stranded the Reaver in space – but I’m still stranded in here. Unlike the Aurelians, though, I have a few more tricks up my sleeve.

There's a sudden hiss as the doors of the punishment brig open.

Suddenly, I find myself staring up at averypissed off Aurelian. Daccia, the leader of the triad, is practically snarling at me.

It’s terrifying – but also elating.

Their species doesn’t like to show emotion – but no matter how much this Aurelian tries to control it, I can see in Daccia’s face that he's mad –reallymad.

His jaw is set, his eyes are narrow, and his huge hands are balled into fists.

It’s a small victory to have got him so enraged.

I smile sweetly, feigning ignorance about what might have happened to disrupt our Orb-Shift. Instead, I ask:

"What can I do for you?"

Daccia’s lips pull back in a snarl:

“I am Daccia – Aurelian Law Enforcement, third rank. This isnotsome backwater militant ship. We know what you did – and you’re toying with forcesfargreater than you can imagine.”

Daccia points angrily at my forearm.

“Extend your arm.Now!”

I swallow hard, remaining motionless. I don’t want to even think about what might happen when this towering Aurelian finds the shift-blocker implant in my arm.

He must have noticed something. Dammit! I wasn't sneaky enough!

Of course, I also knew there’d be a video feed of the punishment block. Prisoners who try to escape don’t get basic rights like privacy.

I should have thought about that. If I’d found the cameras, I could have used my body to shield my arm when I pressed the device beneath my skin. I should have been more careful.

Instead, I now have a seven-feet-tall warrior fuming at me angrily; barely holding back his rage.

How can I stall him?

Daccia’s hand suddenly snapping forward answers my question.