Chapter 13 · Five Seconds

"Don't touch that door."

Lucas's voice cracked across the transport just as my fingers closed around the emergency latch.

The vehicle lurched. My shoulder slammed into the wall, but I kept hold of Nora's stolen access card.

"You locked us in a metal box," I snapped. "I'm allowed to consider my options."

"Your options are death by impact or death by the gas coming through those vents. Pick one. Fast."

The vents clicked overhead.

White mist spilled through the grilles.

Nora coughed from the bench across from me. "Lucas, the station took control. I can't override the lock."

"You said you could drive this thing."

"I said I could steal it. Your deputy stole it back."

Lucas slammed his palm against the control panel.

The screen stayed black. No route map. No release command. Not even a warning light.

That scared me more than the gas.

He'd built the lockdown system. If the panel had gone dead, someone with higher clearance had cut him out completely.

Lucas looked at me through the spreading haze. "How long?"

"Before what?"

"Before you stop being difficult."

"Try me.