His Human Vessel (Zandian Masters 5)

“Those were ours. That’s how I escaped,” Rok said. “It looks like they aren’t using them. That could be our way in.”

“Let’s check out the other end.” Lundric maneuvered the ship around the opposite curve of the planet.

Some of the tightness in Cambry’s chest released. The terrain had been untouched on this side. Trees, bushes, and other green foliage grew. The land jutted and arced into natural mountains and hills, and water stood in lakes.

“Thank the true Zandian star,” Lundric breathed.

Rok chuckled, his own relief evident in the quick release of his breath. “It’s still there. That’s great news.”

“Yeah, for a moment there, I was wondering if this planet was worth fighting to get back,” Cambry said.

“It certainly is.” Rok’s voice vibrated with pride.

Cambry spotted movement from the top of their viewing area. “Lundric, we have company.”

Lundric dropped sharply and circled around. “Cloaking still activated.”

“You have enough data. Get out of there,” Rok barked.

“Copy that. Exiting Zandian atmosphere.”

He circled around to go back to the line of air traffic where they’d entered, but an explosion rocked their ship.

Cambry’s body flung against her restraints as the ship flipped and dropped into a spin.

“Controlling spin,” Lundric reported tersely.

Incredibly, he pulled them out of it and shot away from the planet, breaking through the atmosphere into space.

“Cloaking damaged. Turbospeed inactive. One engine down.”

“Stay in the air. Backup is en route to assist.”

More shots were fired. Their pursuer had followed them outside Zandia’s atmosphere.

“We’re still under fire. Repeat, we’re under fire.”

“Return fire. Assistance is not far.”

Cambry unbuckled and ran for the weaponry at the top of the craft. The last time they were under attack, she hadn’t known how to use the weaponry, but she’d had more training since then. She buckled in and gripped the trigger on the laser guns. “Ready to fire.”

Lundric dropped and flipped the ship, bringing her directly in front of their assailant. The blood rushed to her head, but her harness held her in place as they hung upside down. She let loose with all the firepower she had, striking the ship repeatedly.

Lundric yelled something, but she couldn’t hear over the laser discharge.

The Finn’s ship blew up, dropping out of view.

Lundric flipped their airship right side up, and her stomach roiled.

“Two more incoming,” Lundric shouted.

Again, her mate managed to swing around to line her up to shoot. She missed one, but shot down the other, but they took a major hit to one wing. The ship wobbled.

“Hang on, I’ve got you!” Her brother’s voice shouted through their comms unit.

Thank the stars! Tal magnetized their ship and shot into turbospeed, sweeping them away from their enemies.

Smoke filled the ship. Oh stars.