Book 2: Don't you know its dangerous to ignite a fire in space [Jenlisa]

Chapter 5: Fire

Lisa was storming back to her room when the ship lost power. Her steps faltered in the sudden darkness and she barely managed to catch her balance by holding on to the walls when the ship gave a violent lurch.

Instinct had her reaching for the blaster that was usually attached at her hip but all her palm touched was the smooth fabric of her tights. She cursed at her decision to leave her weapon in her room but took solace that she still had a few throwing knives and her communicator on her. Unfortunately, when she tried her communicator, all she got was static. She swore under her breath and started making her way back where she came from.

Logically, she knew it was unlikely for anything to have happened to Jennie in the short span of time since she left her, but still she worried. An attack on their ship was rare and in the few instances that they happened, the crew was usually prepared for it. This attack, however, had come from nowhere and she was sure that everyone felt blindsided by it. Her careful steps turned into a full-on sprint when the back-up generator kicked in seconds later, bringing the lights back on and with it, communication.

Panicked shouts and firm orders flooded her ears and she ended up muting her communicator after she had received the instructions she needed. While she had been ordered to gear up and regroup with the other transporters near the bow of the ship where the breach was, her first priority was to get Jennie and Kai to safety first.

"Jennie. Kai." Relief flooded her when she stumbled to a halt in front of the duo. They were where she had last seen them, looking lost and confused.

"Lisa." Jennie reached out to grasp her forearm and Lisa noted that her hold was tentative, as if unsure if she was allowed to touch her.

But in their newfound crisis, with the alarms echoing through the corridor and alarms flashing red from every corner of the room, the last thing on Lisa's mind was the conversation she had started and ended prematurely with Jennie. Without hesitation, she slid her arm up to give Jennie's hand a reassuring squeeze before releasing her hold. With danger at every corner and fairly unarmed, she was going to need every advantage she could have.

"Come on." She slid out two small knives from where she had hidden them on her body and flipped them in between her third and fourth fingers. "We need to head back to our cabins. You too." She nodded at Kai, gesturing at him to follow them. He hesitated for a beat then followed quietly. His face was pale and a light sheen of sweat coated his forehead.

"What's going on?"

"Pirates." She spared him a glance then turned her attention back to the long corridor in front of them. "We're still quite a distance from the bow so we shouldn't meet any of them yet but quietly now."

They padded down the aisle as quickly as they could, all crouched low, and stopped first at Jennie's room. "Put on your proof vest. Lock the door and wait for me to knock."

"What?" Jennie voiced, grabbing the door before Lisa could shut it on her. "Where are you going?"

"I'll just be next door with Kai. We'll be just a minute okay? We've got to gear up too."

"Okay." Jennie let out a shaky breath, trying to calm her racing heart. "Be safe."

Despite the severity of the situation, Lisa laughed softly. "I'll just be next door Jen. Now, quick. Proof vest first."

The sound of blasters being fired in the distance was the motivation Jennie needed to lock the door and carry out Lisa's instructions.

In her own room, Lisa moved quickly. She tore off the largest sweater she owned and her proof vest from the hangers and thrust the clothing into Kai's hands. "The sweater will fit but the vest may be a little small for you. Still, it's better than nothing. Put them on."