She had always loved traveling through space. This was part of the reason why she had become a scavenger. It wasn’t so much about the wrecks as it was about seeing the stars all around her all the time. Space was so peaceful and soothing.

Val was enjoying some quiet time when Kaine burst into the control room, a scowl on his face.

“We need to talk.”

“Sure,” she said with a sigh. “What about?”

The girl, Ondine, sat in a corner, watching the stars—she seemed to enjoy it as well. She straightened and looked at Kaine as he walked in.

“The space rift,” he said. “When were you going to tell me about it?”

She stared at him. “How do you know about that?”

“I’m sorry,” said Nim’s voice. “I thought he already knew...”

Val quirked a brow. “Seriously? You tricked Nim into telling you about it?”

“Don’t change the subject.”

She rolled her eyes. “Fine. And when, exactly, was I supposed to tell you? When you first boarded and were a stranger? Or maybe when we were being chased by that ship? Oh, no, wait, I think Evenodds might have been a better time, when you were about to leave. Or, better yet, when you were chased by those goons—”

“Okay, okay, I get it.”

“Do you? It’s not like there weren’t a thousand opportunities. I could go on...”

He cringed as he sat down.

“Forget I asked. I still wish you’d told me, though. We could have figured it out sooner.”

“Figured out what?”

“What caused the rift.”

She stared at him.

“Are you telling me you know what did it?”

“Yes. No. Sort of.”

“Well, which is it?”

You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

The girl had lost interest in the conversation and had returned to watching the stars.

Kaine leaned back into his seat and rested his feet on the console. She hated when he did that, but she tolerated it now, because her mind was reeling with this revelation.

“All we know—”

“We?”

“Nim did most of the work, to be fair. He figured out the rift was created by something in the hold.”

She frowned. “There’s nothing in the hold.”

“So I’ve been told.”

“That doesn’t—”

An alarm blared, interrupting her.

Ondine pressed her hands against her ears, grimacing.

“Nim!” The sound stopped instantly. “What the hell is going on?”

“A ship is coming fast upon us.”

“Not again!”

“It’s not the same ship.”

“Well, duh, we destroyed the other one. I’d rather not have to do it again. Can we do some evasive maneuvers?”

Kaine had lowered his feet, sitting straight in his chair.

“How the hell did they find us?”

Nim’s voice rang in the control room. “There is an asteroid field nearby—”

“Good question,” said Val, “but I’m a bit too busy right now to think about it.”

“—that might help us lose our tail.”

“Great. Let’s try that.”

Kaine leaned forward, his eyes widening. “Great? What do you mean, great? This is a recipe for disaster! Are you crazy right now?”

“You have a better idea?” she asked, her eyes never leaving the displays as she made the ship veer toward the asteroids.

“No, but that doesn’t mean this is a good one.”

She shrugged. “We have a shield.”

He laughed, but it was a nervous laugh. “It won’t hold if we get hammered...”

“Then I guess we’ll have to make sure we don’t get hammered.” She winked at him and focused on her screens again.

Before he could say another word, they had plunged into the field.

“The ship is hailing us,” said Nim.

“That’s different. Put them through.”

A man’s voice came on the speakers.

“Hello? Can you hear me?”

Ondine became alert.

“Sure. What’s up?” asked Val as she dove further into the asteroids.

“Please stop this madness. I just need to talk to you.”

“I’m listening.”

“I mean face to face.”

“Not happening. We’re kind of in a hurry. Sorry.”

“You have something that’s mine!” There was anger now in the voice. “I want it back.”

“Sorry,” she repeated. “No can do. Bye.”

She cut off the communication.

“What was that about?” asked Kaine.

“The hell if I know.”

“At least he’s not shooting at us.”

“Nor is he coming into the field. Not too bold a fellow, that one.”

“Could we, like, get out of this already?”

She looked at her displays and shook her head.

“We need to get further away, make sure he can’t pick up our signal anymore. We—”

The entire structure shook violently.

“Damn it!” she shouted. “Nim! Can’t you be more careful?”

“What happened?” asked Kaine.

“We hit a damn rock, that’s what happened.”

“Sorry,” said Nim, “but I thought you were piloting?”

Val grunted. “Yeah. I am, ain’t I? Sorry about that.”

She looked at her displays and nodded.

“Okay. We got the brunt of it behind us... And we’re almost out of range.”

The ship swung a few more times before it finally stabilized as it came out of the asteroid field.

The alarm blared.

“Nim!”

The sound stopped.

“Sorry. That hit got through the shield. We have some minor damage on the right flank.”

“Why all the fuss if it’s minor?”

“It could worsen if it’s not quickly fixed.”

“Great. Just great.”