The Shattered Way (Champions of the Crystal Book 7)

Chapter 22.2

Scotty signaled his team to halt as he noticed a light on in the infirmary. Their search of the basement had been fruitless up to this point, and he didn't know whether to be encouraged or alarmed that the first sign of life was in a medical treatment area. Sastarn had turned and was watching the way they'd come, so Scotty motioned Radeth over. The tech looked nervous but game, and Scotty tried to make his signals as obvious as possible, mouthing the words along with them: Follow me in and shoot anything that moves. Radeth nodded. Scotty gave a countdown, and then they both popped into the doorway. Scotty swept the room with his blaster, relieved to find it empty except for Ricar, strapped to a bed and unconscious.

"All clear," Scotty said, motioning everyone inside. "Let's get him back to the shuttle. Grab some extra sedative. Sastarn, you take the lead while Radeth and Rondnel carry him. Lyrabeth, you're with me. We'll continue the search."

The techs got to work freeing Ricar, while Sastarn stood guard, exchanging a glance with Lyrabeth as she followed Scotty out of the room. They hadn't gotten very far down the corridor when blaster fire sounded on the floor above.

"Come on!" Scotty said, turning and running for the stairs. He was prepared to find a firefight when he reached the entry hall, but instead he found Amoret and Kendara exchanging rather sheepish apologies. "Where's Mara?" he demanded.

"Here," Mara said, emerging from behind the stairs. "Scotty, I am cut off from the Crystal, but I felt no phase shift or other event that could explain it. I believe there is some kind of resonance jamming taking place."

"Who the hell knows how to do that?" he frowned.

"The Kyan," she replied. "Which leads me to believe they are the race Malvarak claims infiltrated the Reissian Empire."

"Holy shit," Scotty said.

Mara gave him a crooked smile. "Indeed."

"We better get out of here."

"Lead the way, Captain."

"Where's Malvarak?"

"When my containment collapsed, he went about his own business," Mara said.

"Did he look surprised? Or do you think he triggered this somehow?"

Mara thought. "I think he was surprised, yes. But it did not prevent him from acting swiftly."

"He probably decided to change sides since it looked like you weren't winning anymore," Scotty said sourly as they made their way to the back entrance.

The shuttle's engines powered up in a roar, the sound easily penetrating into the building. "Crap, we've got trouble," Scotty said. "Amoret, you're with me. The rest of you stay here unless I yell."

"I am coming with you," Mara replied.

"You're a liability right now," Scotty told her.

"I can still shoot."

"How long has it been since you were last checked out on a weapon?" he demanded.

Mara made a face at him. "You are being insubordinate, Captain."

"I don't report to the Guardian. Right now I report to Prince Baldaran and my sister, who wouldn't want you going into a combat situation without access to the Crystal," Scotty retorted. Then his tone softened. "Mara, if Seuréa's missing, we can't afford to take the risk. The Crystal can't protect you if you're out of contact."

She looked very much like she wanted to argue with him, but he could tell he'd made his point. He nodded at Amoret and exchanged a speaking glance with Kendara, who nodded to him.