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“Akiyra!” Tiri calls. “I need you on the bridge. We have company.”
I don’t even bother grabbing my clothes, instead, I run through the ship and up the ladder as fast as I can. When Tiri says there is trouble, he means it.
“What?” I gasp, hearing the men coming up the stairs behind me.
“A ship just launched from Xistrosie. It appears to be following us.” His crisp upper-crust tones have an especially pious tone.
“Tiri! That is not an emergency. What is your issue?” I ask exasperation with the faulty AI filling me.
“The planet of Xistrosie has three spaceships available to them. We were the only transport ship on the planet. It stands to reason that they are following us.” He replies.
I pinch the bridge of my nose, closing my eyes. “Tiri, run a scan of all systems, including your own. I want to know what virus those space workers implanted in you.”
A huff, echoes throw the room, the only response I receive.
“Tiri, I gave you an order. Either run those scans or I will pull your plug and fly solo.”
“There is no virus, but I will do as ordered.” His voice is an odd combination of sorrow and disgust.
“Akiyra?” Tobis taps me on the shoulder. “We thought you might like your clothes.
“Why Tobis?” Tiri asks. “Do you think she is not perfect like this?”
I roll my eyes at Tobis as I take the pile of clothes, then turn to the console next to my chair. “Tiri, I don’t know what your issue is. But you either clean your circuits. . .”
“Yes, Ma’am.”
I pull my clothes on, then look at the guys. “As you have probably figured out this is the bridge, where I spend most of my time. Tiri helps me fly the ship, and provides company, most of the time.”
Sawyr steps forward, “Akiyra, I don’t want to tell you how to run your ship. But I think you should listen to Tiri on those Xistrosie ships. People don’t just leave Xistrosie after what we have gone through. Adding in that we left three Polzinians on their backs. . . Just watch them, please?”
I look at him, the worried look on his face. “Ok, we will watch them. Granted Xistrosie is the most talked about play yard but few people know the inner workings of the planet.”
He shakes his head, “No. They do a good job at keeping that part of life secret. I have no clue how they explain away the visitors who have been sent to auction for various transgressions. The general populace of Xistrosie knows that the chances of leaving the planet are slim to none unless you are family of or favored by the elite.”
I shake my head; this place is completely off your rocker crazy. No rules other than that about life debts, anything can get you sent to the auctions and there is no appealing anything.
Red lights start flashing as Tiri breaks into my thoughts. “The space cruisers have tracked us. Would you like me to start evasive maneuvers?”
“Yes! Get us the hell out of here.” I march over to my seat, sitting down in it and strapping myself in. “Boys, find a spot and strap on! I mean strap in!” God, what did I just say?
A snicker behind me has me whipping my head to glare at Jax. Yeah, somehow I am starting to recognize their laughs as well as their voices.
“Sawyr, do you know anything about their ships capabilities?” I ask, watching the monitor as the ships track us.
“Sorry, no. I came to the planet 11 years ago and clearly never left. In that time I studied what I could of the planet and the government, but access to that area is highly limited. It is a completely separate field from where you landed.”
“Tiri, can you tell me anything about the ships tracking us? Any ideas how to get out of this mess?”
“The three ships following us are interplanetary ships. They may only travel short trips in space, meant more for travel from Xistrosie to its moons. I believe if we can evade them until we are out of the moon and asteroid field, they will not be able to follow us.”
Clicking a few buttons, I check the map. “How soon until we are clear?”
“Thirty minutes. At our current speed, they will reach firing range in twenty-five minutes. Would you like me to turn the boosters on?”
“What do you think, you outdated pile of shit? Of course, we want the boosters on.” I glare up at the ceiling.
Tiri doesn’t reply, but we are suddenly thrown back into our seats as we hurtle through space.