Arachna clicked softly to herself as her eyes locked onto the enormous Xitherium-based engine that powered the Starship Eschaton. It was a thing of beauty. Hypnotic.

Her host, Engineer Carlsen, had loved this room, his place of solace.

She had come here for the Xitherium. The liquified substance glowed with neon-violet light from within the transparent cylindrical containers that ran up and down the room like columns of an ancient temple. The emergency Xitherium pressure release valve was located at the base of the engine, its hidden compartment only a few meters away from Arachna.

Still, she stared up at the enormous, magnificent machine. Her Krath clashed with her infused Yumen knowledge from her host. Machines were inferior to biological organisms in many ways and yet this particular creation felt so alive, somehow.

Twin cylinders pumped processed Xitherium into an enormous metallic engine that purred as it pushed the starship through space at speeds once thought unimaginable by Yumens.

The engine burned Xitherium in order to touch the boundary between dimensions, allowing the starship to slide along an interdimensional rift. The technology was related to the capabilities of rifters who also touched that same interdimensional boundary line as they used their abilities.

The power of the rift pulled on the ship like gravity only much stronger, allowing the starcraft to soar at speeds significantly faster than light.

But it needed Xitherium. Lots of it.

Something about Xitherium allowed seamless access to the rift. The natural food of the Krath had properties beyond space and time. It was as if the Krath themselves were from another place. Or perhaps someplace in-between.

She eyed the massive quantum computer that ran the engine. Such a device contained the necessary knowledge to process Xitherium and access that power.

What if—no that couldn't work. She wondered if there might be a way to use the quantum chip she'd stolen from the rifter known as Vapor's helmet and use it here. That sounded—complex. Engineer Carlsen would be able to figure it out, but there was no time for that now.

This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.

Arachna clicked as she poured a bucketful of the Xitherium into a small plastic jar that she'd borrowed from the kitchen. Much easier to transport than the soap bucket she'd used last time.

With her spindly legs, she climbed up her thread to the ceiling. There were a handful of soldiers below but no one noticed her silent and stealthy theft. It wasn't much Xitherium she needed. No one would miss it.

Arachna pondered to herself whether her plan would work. Would Beaky recover soon? If she did need to molt, how would she survive in such an enlarged and stationary state as a Hive Mother.

Bam, bam.

In an instant, adrenaline coursed through Arachna's veins. She leaped, nearly spilling her container full of Xitherium. Falling from her thread, Arachna managed to catch hold of a nearby ledge. The enclosed Xitherium dangled in mid-air, still sticking to a thread of silk.

Bam, bam

Horde, what was going on? Arachna scrambled to regain her composure. The shots missed her but just barely. They came from down below, somewhere on the first floor of the engine room. Meanwhile, she crawled on a middle level near the ledge.

Several marines turned their attention toward Arachna, seemingly unable to find her at her distance. However, the shots had come from somewhere else.

Here little queenling, a voice said in her head. I've got a special treat for you.

Arachna's spinnerette twitched. What had the voice just said? She scrambled toward a dark crevice where she could tuck her body away and stay hidden. How could a Yumen see her, but she couldn't see it?

I'll find you, you little thief, the voice said.

Bam

Horde, whoever was speaking was psionic and seemed to be locked onto her position. The bullet bounced off a nearby metal grate but the fact that it had clearly been aimed in her general direction was concerning.

Who are you? Aracha said, running out from her hiding place. Where are you?

Wouldn't you like to know, the voice said.

Suddenly, Arachna caught the hint of a shimmer of purple light. There it was, attached to a wall

You forced me to come after you, the voice continued. I'd never even noticed your presence if you hadn't stolen from me.

Arachna rubbed her fingers together. It couldn't be.

It was.

Staring straight at her, from across the engine room, her body losing its invisibility after a shimmer of violet light, was Vapor.

The rifter had finally come for her.

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