Gamma Stellaris

Chapter 28

        Brian helped Leanne to her feet and led her out of the cell as Lonnie helped Stefanie.

          Hruyyus led them through the ship, giving a concerned glance backwards every once and a while.

         "Wait, we need a key card to leave." Jared said softly, rubbing at one of his eyes.

         "That's the tricky part. We have to break into Xkmotg's office and steal it."

        "I'll do it."

       "Do you not remember how you got into that cell?!" Leanne snapped, tightening her grip on Brian's arm.

       "Not to mention you look like hell from not sleeping." Stefanie said. 

        "I'll go with him." Hruyyus said.

         Brian shook his head. "We'll all go."

        "That's stupid!" Jared hissed. "What if-"

        "We all go or none of us go." Stefanie said, her eyes narrowing.

        "Fine." Jared muttered, crossing his arms.

         They all made it silently to Xkmotg's door and Hruyyus listened by the door for a few moments before nodding. "It's empty."

         All of them made their way inside and started digging through drawers and looking wherever they could.

         "Found it!" Lonnie exclaimed excitedly.

          The door flung open and they all paled as Xkmotg scowled. "What are you brats doing out of your cells?"

          "Well, about that-" Jared started, giving a nervous grin.

         One of her tentacles shot forward, going through Jared's chest. He let out a small sputter, staring down at the tentacle blankly.

        Brian quickly picked up scissors off the desk, cutting the tentacle. Xkmotg let out a shriek as Jared looked up at the others, panic starting to creep into his eyes.

        "Shit." Stefanie whispered.

        "Do-Don't panic." Hruyyus whispered, clearly on the verge of panic herself.

         They all stared at Jared with wide eyes, minus Leanne who had no idea what the hell was going on.

        Brian lunged with the scissors, stabbing at Xkmotg. She dodged out of the way and his arm slammed roughly against the corner of the desk as he lost his balance. He let out a scream, unsettled by the crack he heard.

         Jared collapsed, his eyes fluttering shut.

         Hruyyus quickly knelt beside him, lightly cupping his face in her hands.

          Lonnie stepped between the kids and Xkmotg. "Get out of here, all of you."

         Hruyyus whipped around to look at him, her eyes widening. "What?!"
         "I already lost Charity, I won't lose you too!"

          Hruyyus stared at him with wide eyes but stopped as she studied the others. "Ok. But I'll be back for you. I promise."

         She quickly picked up Jared before rushing through the back door. Brian helped guide Leanne and Stefanie as quickly as he could and soon caught up to Hruyyus.

         She grabbed the keycard out of his hand and quickly swiped it.

         Brian let out a relieved laugh as they made it outside, picking up his pace.

         Hruyyus went to go back on the ship and Brian quickly caught her wrist. "You can't go back in there."

          "I won't leave my dad behind!"

         "All you'll do is get yourself killed going back!"

          "He's right." Leanne whispered.

         "You won't stop me."

          Brian sighed as she ran back onto the ship.

         ***

         With a sigh, Brian picked at his cast. He hated how blocky and itchy it is.

         It'd been a few days since they'd gotten off the ship and none of them had any idea how to explain to anyone else what had happened.

         Stefanie had to get a blood transfusion, but she seemed mostly better.

           Jared and Leanne were both in the hospital. The doctors said that it was a miracle that Jared was still alive after sustaining such an injury and they found out that Leanne had a ruptured kidney from getting kicked so many times in the stomach.

         But they were safe.

          Thanks to Lonnie.

          Hruyyus had barely been around since she went back for him and found that Xkmotg had already killed him. She'd stopped by a few times to see if Jared and the others were okay, but other than that she'd been MIA.

         But they were safe. And Brian couldn't be more thankful to finally be home.