Chapter 23 · You hurt?

She slammed her palm against his chest.

The ship's entire power grid surged through her.

Vargas flew across the room and crashed into the sealed hatch. His control disc dropped from his hand and skittered across the deck.

Kael grabbed Nyx before the feedback could throw her down.

She clutched his jacket, fingers shaking now. Her face was inches from his. The light under her skin flickered with every pulse.

"You hurt?" he asked.

"Your face is bleeding."

"That's not what I asked."

"I can still move."

"Can you hack the ship?"

"Maybe."

"That means no."

"It means get your hand off my waist before I break it."

Kael looked down. His hand had landed at her side when he caught her. He moved it away, but his fingers dragged over the torn edge of her sleeve.

Nyx watched the motion.

Neither of them spoke for a second.

Then every speaker on the ship clicked on.

Not Vargas this time.

A flat Imperial voice filled the engine room.

"Outer Rim Command. Emergency purge authorization confirmed."

Vargas pushed himself up against the hatch, one hand pressed to his ribs. His confidence was gone.

Kael turned toward the main console. "What purge?"