Accursed Space - A Dark Space Fantasy (Star Mage Saga - A Dark Space Fantasy Book 5)
Page 22
“Moved out of synch with time?” Bryce frowned. “What are you talking about?”
Carina explained her theory, adding, “The starship knows about the anomaly. She felt it approach, and she flew out of its path, but not fast enough to save everyone.”
“But wouldn’t she also be affected by the time-shift? Why did the anomaly shift the passengers but not the ship?”
“My guess is she can shift with it, and somehow she knows we can’t.”
“So the Regians evolved their time-shift ability due to this anomaly in space periodically drifting across their planet?”
“Exactly.”
Bryce was silent, apparently digesting the concept. Eventually, he said, “I sure hope this ship detects the anomaly earlier next time.”
“Me too. Those poor men and women,” she said sadly.
She leaned against him again, trying to savor the moment, not knowing if it might be their last.
But the minutes crept by and nothing happened. The living starship swept through space, smoothly and sedately. It seemed like they were out of danger for now.
However, they still had no clue what to do when they reached the moon. They couldn’t leave the starship, that was for sure, not on an airless asteroid. So if she decided to fly back to the planet they would have to go with her. And then what would happen?
As Carina was ruminating on their predicament, Oriana’s head popped up above the edge of the opening to the recess.
“I have an idea,” she announced.
“Cool,” Carina replied. “What is it?”
“It’s an idea about how we can get back to the Bathsheba.”
“Even cooler,” said Bryce.
“But it’ll use up the last of the elixir,” Oriana went on. “Jace says there’s only enough for one more Cast, and I don’t know if my idea will work.”
“There’s only one way we can find out,” said Carina. “Let’s hear it.”
“We know the starship’s alive, right? Darius could feel her pain. She thinks, and she feels, and I think she must make decisions about what she does and where she goes. She has a mind, that means that we, as mages, might be able to control her.”
Carina gasped and sat bolt upright. “Stars, Oriana, you’re right! Why didn’t I think of it? One of us could Enthrall her and tell her to take us to the Bathsheba. She would know the ship’s position because she’s been there before.”
“I mean, it’s a little cruel…” said Oriana.
“Not as cruel as what the Regians were doing to her,” Carina said, “and, once we arrived, we would set her free.”
“I think you’re forgetting something,” Bryce said. “The Bathsheba might still be infested with Regians.”
“Perhaps,” Carina agreed, “but if we can just reach our supply of elixir, and the soldiers can get to their weapons and armor, I’m sure we can take her back again. The Regians are just insects with a unique ability who happened to have access to space-faring animals. It was Lomang and Mezban’s stupidity and greed that let us down before.”
Bryce smiled. “And after we take her back, then what?”
“Then we find out where we are and what year we’re in, and set a course for Earth.”
CARINA’S STORY CONTINUES IN...
FLIGHT FROM SANCTUARY
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