Love, Against All Odds

IV - Chapter 1

A/N: I feel like I am always apologizing to you guys, but I really am sorry for the long wait. The wedding only ended 3 days ago and unfortunately life hasn't been good to me. But, here I am, back with the story and I will start with regular programming and update once a day. I hope you guys haven't forgotten me and this story :)

Becca moaned from the horrible throbbing behind her skull. She attempted to lift her arms, but they were so damn heavy so instead let them hang there for now. Her eyelids were the simplest things to move, and she focused on the cracked dash under her forehead. A bloody droplet rolled down her nose, then fell off the tip, further coating the console.

Earlier memories of chasing after the Serrato fighter ship drifted back to her. Then she'd had a brilliant idea to jump to light speed so they could take down the enemy ship. Hopefully the pilot of the fighter ship was bleeding out in pure pain—or even better, buried in ice and frozen to death.

Taking a deep breath, Becca tested her rib cage and flinched from the sharp heat in her upper chest, but her ribs felt okay at the moment. Again, she attempted using her arms and managed to place her palms against the console. Bits of glass cracked under her hands and allowed the blood to soak through, creating a red spider web.

Becca gritted her teeth and lifted her upper body off the dash and discovered the soft stabbing pain in her chest was from the yoke. She slumped back against the pilot's chair and rolled her head toward her sister. 'Raine?' she called, her voice twisted like the ship's haul.

Raine was still, too still.

'Andren?' Becca closed her eyes when no one responded to her. She groaned at her stupidity for risking their lives. It was one thing to forfeit her own, but now two friends might be dead. Angry energy charged her body, and she yanked the lap belt free. 'Nova, do we have any satellite connection?' She moved her weak legs, hoping she could stand from the chair.

'Attempting to connect,' Nova replied in Becca's earbud.

Becca lifted from the pilot's seat, but she tumbled to her knees. With her bloody hand on the metal floor, she regained her balance and fought to stand again.

'Connection failed,' Nova chirped.

Becca groaned and hoped it was because the Betty May's airframe was blocking the signal to her techbit. She stumbled twice before latching onto Raine's armrest. She gently lifted her sister's upper body and whimpered seeing Raine's bloody features. 'Raine?' She patted Raine's cheek and coaxed her more, to no avail. With her fingertips, she searched for Raine's pulse and found it, but it was weak.

With renewed determination, Becca scaled the three steps and used the railing to help her to the upper level. She toppled into the empty chair next to Andren, who was folded over. 'Andren, come on.'

After Becca pushed Andren back in the seat, she remained limp and unconscious, but her pulse was stronger than Raine's. Becca hoped Andren would soon wake. Raine's current state plagued her the most.