Page 13

Story: Secrecy

"Are we still going after the prisoners?" Torq asked.

Vyk's expression hardened. "Our mission hasn't changed. It only became more complicated."

"I memorized the terrain of the planet,” I offered, grateful for my obsession with memorization. "And the schematics of the facility."

"Same," Ariana nodded. "Based on our crash trajectory and final coordinates, I'd estimate we're about half a rotation's walk from the prison complex."

"Half a rotation in this miserable swamp," Vyk shook his head. "Better get moving."

With no further discussion, we formed a line behind Vyk, who took point as we began our trek through the marsh. The going was treacherous as what appeared to be solid ground often gave way to hidden sinkholes, and the slick mud sucked our boots as if trying to pry them from our feet.

Tivek and I brought up the rear, walking side by side. I realized belatedly that he was still holding my hand, and more surprisingly, I didn't mind. The terrain was too uncertain to navigate alone, each step a potential disaster.

Just as I was thinking this, my leg plunged deep into what had seemed to be solid ground. Tivek yanked me upward before I could sink further.

“Thank you," I breathed, heart pounding.

He nodded, though the gesture was barely visible with the suit's camouflage. "Be careful. This world wants to devour us whole."

When my foot sank again a few minutes late and deeper this time, Tivek pulled me forcefully into his arms, lifting me completely off the treacherous surface.

"I should go first," he suggested, his voice low and close to my ear. "Step only where I step."

I nodded, suddenly very aware of his proximity and of his arms around me. The realization sent unwelcome heat to my cheeks, and I was grateful for the thin atmosphere that provided a ready excuse for my uneven breathing.

"Ready?" he asked, setting me down carefully on a patch of ground that held his weight.

“Ready,” I replied, focusing on the task at hand rather than the lingering sensation of his arms around me.

We continued forward, Tivek testing each step before I followed. The mist thickened around us, making visibility increasingly poor as our pace slowed. The soft squelching of our companions' footsteps grew fainter, and a spike of anxiety shot through me as I realized I could no longer see even Ariana's floating head ahead of us.

"Can you see them?" I whispered, straining to peer through the soup-like fog.

Tivek's response was cut short by the unmistakable discharge of a blaster up ahead, followed by a shout that belonged to Torq.

Chapter

Nine

Tivek

The fog had thickened so rapidly that I'd lost visual contact with the others as I’d been guiding Morgan through the swamp, a tactical error I would never have made if I hadn't been so distracted by the human.

Not that I regretted saving Morgan from sinking into the treacherous swamp, but a Shadow should never lose situational awareness, regardless of distractions. That was one of the first lessons we learned.

"Can you see them?" Morgan whispered, her voice unnervingly close in the blinding mist.

Before I could answer, the distinctive crack of a blaster cut through the fog, followed by a shout that I instantly recognized as Torq's. My blood iced as I instinctively dropped into a defensive crouch, pulling Morgan down with me.

More weapons fire followed, then silence. The absolute worst kind of silence.

My mind raced through possibilities. Had they encountered hostile wildlife? Kronock patrols? Some automated defense system we hadn't detected? Whatever the threat, someone in our group had deemed it necessary to open fire. Or someone had fired on them.

My pulse spiked as I weighed our options. The tactically sound choice would be to rush forward and assist, but that meant potentially exposing Morgan to the same danger. Yet staying put wasn't an option either, especially with our companions potentially under attack.

"Wait here," I whispered, releasing her hand. "I'll assess the situation."

Her fingers tightened around mine. "No. We stay together."