Still, it took a few minutes to convince myself to leave engineering. It was quiet and reassuring in there, between the hum of the engine, the computer whirring to itself, and the total absence of dead bodies. I suddenly realized this was the first time I’d been alone, really alone, in weeks. Before Sanctuary, I’d considered myself a solitary, introverted person. I’d never had many close friends. My parents were busy with work. I’d been okay with that. Sure, I went out now and then, and I played on local basketball teams whenever the opportunity presented itself. But I was just as happy curled up in bed with the latest issue of Robo Mecha Dream Girl 5 and a cup of chai as I was surrounded by other kids.

But the last week or two, almost without knowing it, I’d come to depend on my friends. Cage, always ready with a grin and a quip. Imani, her quiet strength and intelligence. Rune, her gentle kindness, yet with a core of fierce determination. Even Mia. She might be a powder keg, but I knew that whatever happened, she’d have my back. It felt like years since I’d faced anything alone, not a matter of weeks.

You don’t have a choice, I reminded myself. I clenched my hands into fists, wishing for a weapon, even if it wouldn’t do much good. Something to hold on to. My thumb brushed the ring on my right hand, a sixteenth-birthday present from my parents, and Dad’s face flashed through my mind, bloody and yet somehow tranquil as he lay on the office floor.

Somehow, that calmed me, strengthening my resolve. With steady hands, I scanned Dad’s omnicard to leave engineering. Mom might have given up on me. Dad might have let Omnistellar suck him into their plan. But what set me apart from them was my choices, and I chose to save my dad, to go after my friends.

The hall remained eerily empty and silent. How many people staffed this ship? Where were they? Was the entire crew dead in the command center? I cast a quick glance toward the conference room where I’d left Dad, reassuring myself it remained safe and secure, resisting the urge to check on him again. Staring at his limp body wouldn’t help him. But finding my friends, especially the ones with the power to heal, might.

According to my map, the lift to the lower level was on my right. I crept that way, ears perked for any sound of movement. I saw nothing. I heard nothing. It was driving me up the wall. I would have almost preferred a glimpse of the aliens at this point. The constant waiting, the fear, the gnawing panic in my heart: none of them offered anything to grab on to, only a constant gaping void of terror.