Chapter 8 · The Engine's Access Code

"Prime Engine confirmed." The automaton's voice scraped through the station. "Remain still for extraction."

"I'm not going anywhere with you."

The machine raised one metal arm. Samuel shoved Nora behind him, blood already soaking through his shirt.

"You'll have to go through me."

"Samuel, you're bleeding."

"I noticed."

The arm locked with a sharp click.

Tarin grabbed Nora's wrist. "Now."

He hauled her toward the service hatch as Samuel fired. The shot sparked off the automaton's chest. A second blast drove Samuel to one knee.

Nora caught him before his head hit the floor. "Get up."

"That sounds dangerously like an order."

"Get used to it."

Tarin wrenched the hatch open. Nora pulled Samuel through while he fired again. Tarin slammed the cover shut just as the machine charged.

The impact buckled the metal above them.

"It'll break through," Tarin said.

"Then stop staring at it and move."

They stumbled along the narrow service ledge. Black water rushed through the channel below. Rust, wet stone, and old oil burned Nora's nose as she kept Samuel upright.

"I need a doctor," he said.

"There aren't any down here."

"Find me a miracle."

Tarin started down the ledge. "You've got one.