At first, SA simply stared at Seb as if trying to ascertain his seriousness. When she saw he meant it, she nodded. Why don’t we let them swim?
We can get up there quicker than the water’s rising. That extra time at the top might help.
Okay. She’ll probably try to electrocute me though.
Don’t worry. Just launch her before she has the time to think about it.
As the first after Seb to the gap, SA stood on the edge, waiting for Sparks to catch up with her. She then grabbed her and launched her across.
Thankfully Seb saw it in slow motion, because the flailing mess of limbs and bitterness would have been hard to catch at a normal speed.
Once Seb set Sparks down, she glared at him, so he patted her on the head and took off again.
Four shelves later, they were close to the top. Although what to do now they were there?
As the other three caught up to him, Seb fought for breath and looked down at the three-quarter-filled room. He still couldn’t see any clues as to how to get out of there. Whatever they tried now, they’d have to try it without him. The exit had to be beneath the water level. “I’d hoped I’d see a way out from up here,” he said as the other three stared at him.
SA looked around as if searching too. Sparks looked straight at him, ready to tell him exactly what she thought of him, clearly still bitter from being tossed.
But then Reyes said, “Look.”
When Seb looked but didn’t reply, Reyes removed her blaster and shot the vent she’d pointed at. The metal grate covering it bent and fell, landing in between them on the shelf with a loud crash. “What do you see now?”
“A hole,” Seb said. “And it’s still a good few metres away.”
“Oh no,” Sparks said, staring back at Reyes. “You’re not throwing me up there.”
“But you’re the smallest and the lightest. If we can get anyone up there, it’s you. Besides, you have the skills to shut this place down. You can hack into anything.”
The compliment clearly stroked Sparks’ ego, because she straightened her back a little and conceded Reyes’ point with a nod.
When Seb looked down at the water, he saw just a few metres separated the rising level and them. “We don’t have much time, Sparks.”
After goat stamping against the ledge they stood on, Sparks spat her words out, “Just get on with it, then. You’d best not miss.”
Even now, SA’s eyes held a calm bioluminescence. She never seemed agitated. You ready for this? Seb asked her.
She nodded.
Seb and SA took one of Sparks’ feet each, the small Thrystian shaking and wobbling, balancing by pushing down on the tops of their heads.
When she steadied herself, Seb said, “Ready, Sparks?”
“No.”
“Good. One. Two …” On three Seb and SA launched Sparks the three metres she needed to travel. Again, slow motion helped him witness it, but it also painfully dragged it out for Seb. They’d have to catch her again if she missed.
Like when SA had thrown her across the gap, Sparks became a mess of flailing limbs, and for a second she looked like she wouldn’t catch the ledge. But then, at the last moment, she reached up both of her hands and clamped on.
For a brief spell, she simply hung there as if collecting her thoughts. She then turned to look down at the others, half smiling. “Wish me luck.”
Seb clenched his fist and banged it against his chest twice. SA pressed her hands together as if praying. Reyes called out, “Good luck.”
A moment’s pause, Sparks then vanished into the ventilation system.
“What do we do now?” Reyes said.
The water had risen. A shake ran through Seb to look at it. So clear he could see all the way to the bottom. All the way to where he’d fall if their situation didn’t change very soon. Then he saw movement in the water. A door opened where they couldn’t find one before. “What the …?”
Both Reyes and SA peered down too.
Reyes gasped. “Are those …”
“Sharks?” Seb said.
“Yeah.”
At least four metres long each, Seb let his breath out in a long sigh as he stared down at them. “They look like it. And they’re the biggest damn sharks I’ve ever seen.”
CHAPTER 51
Five sharks appeared. Something so large shouldn’t exist. To look at their all too familiar silhouettes gliding along with the laziest flicks of their tails turned Seb’s blood cold. Such power. Such dominance. So comfortable in an environment where he was now so weak. On top of that, the water continued to rise.
As if mocking Seb’s situation, the sharks cast shadows even larger than themselves on the floor, the bright lighting working against him yet again. “I suppose if you’re into creating genetic mutations for weapons,” he said, “a shark but bigger makes sense.”
“What are we going to do?” Reyes said, keeping her eyes on the beasts below.
Only about one metre left before the platform they stood on became completely submerged, Seb shook his head. “We have to do something before we lose what little advantage we have. As soon as we’re in the water with those things, we’re screwed.”
One of the beasts had vanished from Seb’s sight. “Where is it?” he said, more to himself than the others. When he peered over the ledge, he damn near lost control of his bowels to see it rushing up at him. It moved as if it had rocket propulsion.
Just before the creature leapt from the water, Seb’s world slowed down. It showed him the white scars that tore jagged lines across its snout. It showed him its black stare.
When it broke through the surface, Seb’s attention went straight to its wide mouth. Two rows of vicious teeth ran its large circumference. The thing looked like it could swallow him whole.
Seb froze, but before the creature took him, the glint of something flew from his right side and went straight into the beast’s eye. The shark snapped its mouth shut and arched its back. If it could scream, it looked like it would have at that moment.
Seb ducked as the beast flew over him and crashed into the ceiling above. The deep and moist crunch sounded like it snapped its snout on impact.
The shark slammed back down on the shelf. It thrashed around, but Seb managed to get close to it. One of SA’s knives protruded from its left eye. He punched the creature on its weakened nose. One, two, three hard punches and he turned it off, the beast falling limp from where he’d beaten it unconscious.
Reyes jumped out of the way as Seb rolled the thing into the water and watched it sink like a rock. Panting from the effort, he looked at SA and nodded. Thank you. Then to her and Reyes, he said, “Four more to go.”
We need to use one of us as bait. When they jump out of the water, I can throw another knife at it.
A deep breath, Seb’s mind worked double time to try to find a better plan. The water continued to rise. They’d be in it with the sharks if they didn’t do something. When he said, “Good idea,” Reyes frowned at him.
“Sorry,” Seb said. “I had half of that conversation in my head. One of us needs to stand in front of the sharks so they jump. SA can throw a knife at them, and I can punch them out. If you stand back—” Seb moved to the edge of the platform, shoving Reyes back towards the wall “—I’ll do it.”
But Reyes grabbed his arm and tugged on it, taking his place on the lip of the shelf and staring down into the water. Just to watch her precarious position sent a flip through Seb’s stomach.
The next beast exploded towards them. It came from a different angle, which made it easier to see. It dragged a rush of water with it. This time, SA threw two knives at it. It snapped around in reaction to the pain before it clattered into the wall behind them and fell against the shelf like the other one had.
Seb rushed forward and threw a flurry of blows against its thick nose. Each strike felt like hitting a wet punching bag and he quickly put the creature out.
Before Seb could push the one he’d killed from the ledge,
the next one burst from the water. The same happened: Reyes ducked, SA threw two knives at it, and Seb punched it unconscious again.
In anticipation of yet another one coming out, Seb shoved the two limp ones back into the water as quickly as he could. Were it not for their wet, slightly slimy bodies, he wouldn’t have stood a chance of moving them. They weighed more than he’d be able to shift unaided.
To watch them sink with the other one gave Seb the briefest moment of relief before he heard another noise that made his stomach sink.
A cracking sound like thick ice giving way beneath his feet. A glance at where the shelf met the wall, Seb watched a black crack race along it. “Shit! This shelf won’t hold for much longer.”
The penultimate shark then burst from the water. A greater threat at that moment than the failing ledge. This time, SA got three knives in it. It landed on the shelf, in clear agony from its wounds.
SA shot it before Seb could get to it. Seb then shoved it into the water, which had now risen to within just centimetres of the ledge.
Just as Seb turned to inspect the crack again, SA’s voice rang through his mind. Reyes, she called, and he reacted by shoving her away from him.
The final shark hit the wall, teeth first, exactly where she’d been. The impact seemed to shake the entire building.
SA hadn’t thrown a knife at it yet. The beast twisted and snapped to get at Seb.
When she caught up, SA threw several knives at it. They stuck into the shark’s back, distracting it for a second. Enough time for Seb to get on top of it and punch it out. He tipped it back into the water with the other four.
Seb’s heart hammered when he looked for Reyes. It settled to see her treading water next to the shelf. He shrugged at her. “Sorry.”
Reyes shrugged back. “Don’t be. You just saved my life.”
Seb pulled a tight-lipped smile at SA. She’d just saved her life.
CHAPTER 52
The water rose and Seb watched it, a shake running through him that he had no control over. Despite the crack between the shelf and the wall—the fixed platform ready to break away at any moment—it looked like the rising water would get them first. “Come on, Sparks,” he muttered to himself as he stared at the vent she’d vanished into.
When Seb looked down at the ground, he saw the bodies of the five dead or unconscious sharks. They were at least twenty metres down. A long way for him to sink if the shelf gave way.
Another crack then shook through the ledge. Seb felt the vibration of it in the soles of his boots.
SA stared down at the crack, looked at Seb, and then jumped into the water with Reyes. Hopefully it would help to take her weight off it too.
The water continued to rise, covering the platform entirely and lifting about an inch up Seb’s boots. He did his best to keep his breathing level and his heart rate steady. Five minutes, maybe ten at the most, and all of them would be listening to their lungs pop as they drowned in the dingy complex. And what about Bruke? Had the tunnel flooded too? Had he already drowned?
I’ll keep you afloat.
To look into the cool calm of his love’s eyes tore at Seb’s heart. You can’t! You’ll drown too. There’s no point in both of us checking out. I want you to save yourself. I want you to find out who put those parasites on Carstic.
But—
You WON’T be able to help me. You’ve tried once already and we needed Bruke before I could be pulled to shore. He’s probably already drowned in the tunnel.
The widening of SA’s eyes suggested she hadn’t thought about Bruke until that moment. She didn’t respond.
Promise me you won’t follow me down if this ledge goes? At that moment another snap cracked through the shelf.
Still nothing.
SA?
Fine. WHATEVER. She spun around in the water, turning her back on him. Not that he could blame her for that. He wouldn’t want to watch her drown if he couldn’t do anything about it.
The water had risen to Seb’s shins.
Another snap through the ledge. Then he felt something else. Almost a rip.
When Seb looked at the crack between the ledge and the wall again, he saw the large stone platform break away, slower than it should on account of the water’s resistance. For a moment, it looked like it might even float.
A second later, both Seb and the shelf sank.
CHAPTER 53
Back in slow motion, Seb still sank fast, the drag of the water pulling his hair towards the ceiling as it funnelled up his nose.
The resistance created by the large platform slowed him down enough to give him time to think, but not enough to give him time to act. Another ledge below him, Seb moved to the edge of the one he stood on. He waited until just the right moment before he stepped off.
The next shelf held, his knees taking the shock of his halted progress. Seb looked up and saw SA and Reyes. They were on the surface a good five metres above. He might as well have sunk to the floor for what good it did.
SA stared down at him. Are you okay?
No.
SA didn’t reply. What could she say? He’d simply stated the truth, and she’d promised she wouldn’t follow him down.
Then Seb heard something. A metallic voice coming through what sounded like the tannoy above. But he couldn’t hear the words. Not with all the water between him and the speakers. What’s that noise?
Sparks.
She’s on the tannoy?
Yep. You need to hang on, Seb. She’s going to drain the place.
Seb’s stomach bucked with his desperate need to breathe. His head pounded. I can’t hold on long.
It looked like SA had already sunk a little bit closer to him. Seb’s pulse ran a hard thud through his temples. His eyes stung from the pressure. Is the water lowering?
Yes. Just try to hang on. Relax, we’re coming down.
Strange sounds rang through Seb’s woozy head. Internal pops and clicks as if his innards were breaking apart like weakened seals on a failing submarine. He watched SA and Reyes get closer. Light-headed from the effort, his stomach pulled in against itself.
You’re doing so well, darling. Hold on.
SA’s legs got to within reaching distance as Seb’s world blurred. The water was still too far away. A headache crushed his skull. He just needed to hold on for a few more seconds.
By the time SA’s waist drew level with Seb’s face, he’d stood on his tiptoes, lifting his mouth and nose to the ceiling. Still not close enough to breathe. Nowhere near close enough.
Her breasts came to his eye level, the air painfully close, but still too far away. Seb’s legs buckled. She must have seen him going, because she ducked beneath the water and crouched down on the platform so he could stand on her back.
Wobbly and with very little energy left, Seb dug deep, stood on her, and gasped when he poked his head above the water. The call of his desperation echoed in the space. He saw his own fear mirrored in Reyes’ wide-eyed expression as she treaded water and watched him.
After several more greedy gulps, the water already at his chest, Seb stepped off SA’s back and pulled her to her feet. They embraced. He squeezed her like he’d never let her go again. Thank you. Thank you.
I didn’t do anything.
You kept me going. You did everything. Thank you.
The pair shared a brief kiss before Seb heard the tannoy again.
“It won’t be long before I can open up the room.”
While looking up, he said, “Thank you, Sparks.” It didn’t matter that she couldn’t hear him.
The water continued to run out of the room and Seb looked at the platforms he’d have to jump across to get down to the ground. You should let the water take you. It’ll be easier than jumping.
You sure?
Of course. Go on.
A curt nod, SA stepped backwards off the platform and fell with a splash. She treaded water as she sank with its lowering level.
CHAPTER 54
Seb jumped
down from one of the last shelves, a splash of water kicking up from where no more than an inch-high puddle remained. The door that had let the sharks in remained open. Sparks strode through it and looked at the three of them before taking in the soaked room. Everywhere glistened with damp. A look at the dead sharks, she exhaled so her cheeks puffed out and said, “It was pretty close, then?”
“You have no idea,” Reyes said.
Neither Seb nor SA responded.
“I did my best,” Sparks then said.
Although exhausted, a headache crushing his skull, Seb nodded. “You did. And it was enough to save us. Without you, we would have been screwed.”
Another look at the sharks, Sparks raised her eyebrows. “You sure about that? Looks like you did all right on your own.”
“I was under water when your voice came through on the tannoy.”
“Oh.”
“So, thank you. I owe you big time.”
“Maybe pay me back by trusting me enough to invite me with you the next time you go somewhere, yeah?”
She had a point. “Did you find out who commissioned the parasites?”
Sparks winced. “You’re not going to like this.”
Seb let her continue.
“The Crimson Countess.”
“What?” Seb’s voice bounced off the hard and damp walls. “Not Moses?”
“No.”
“Okay, well, we need to get to her. But how the hell will we find her? We know she ain’t in her palace anymore.”
“I found that out too.” Sparks showed Seb her computer screen. “She’s living on a large spaceship. I have the coordinates for it.”
Another reminder of why he should ask Sparks along next time. “What would we do without you?”
“Drown.”
Just the mention of it raised Seb’s heart rate. His expression must have shown that.
“Sorry,” Sparks said and laughed. “Bad joke.”
Fugitive: A Space Opera: Book Five of The Shadow Order Page 18