Behind them he heard the eerie rustle-thudding that had to be the sound of the Drengir running. Whatever it was, it was getting louder. And closer.

Ahead of him was the entrance to the equatorial ring—which was no longer empty, but filling with dark-clad, breathmasked, blue-striped warriors.

For the first time, and the last, Reath was relieved to see the Nihil.

One of the Nihil threw a gas missile, probably intending to hit the Jedi. But both Orla and Reath ducked it handily while sucking in deep breaths. A Jedi could last longer without breathing than the average sentient being; that gave them a chance to put distance between them and the toxic gas.

Instead, the gas detonated in the heart of the Drengir—

And they weren’t fazed in the slightest.

Gas weapons only worked against beings who breathed the same gases. That didn’t include plants.

The creepy rustling laughter of the Drengir grew louder as they bounded forward—passing Orla and Reath completely—in favor of attacking this new enemy. Looks like the Drengir didn’t just wake up hungry, Reath thought as he kept running. They woke up ready for a fight.

For a split second, the Nihil hesitated. That second was long enough for Reath to recognize that these were raiders, not warriors, and their courage faltered in a conflict where no profit was to be had. But all beings will fight for their lives.

The Nihil shouldered weapons and began firing. Brilliant light from blaster bolts flickered in the darkness as Orla and Reath kept running toward the Vessel.

We have to get out of here, Reath thought. Then—do we just leave this station to the Nihil or Drengir?

We can’t do that.

No matter what.

Returning to the Vessel already felt like surrender. Affie’s mood plunged even further when she and Leox reached the airlock ring to find their way almost completely blocked by collapsed, smoldering debris. Ash still fogged the air. She groaned. “Did I do this?”

“Pretty much.” Then Leox stopped beside her and studied the wreckage more carefully. “Wait. Maybe you didn’t.”

The scene around them was obviously the aftermath of the explosive she’d set off, so Leox’s reaction caught her off guard. “What do you mean?” she asked.

“Everything’s been moved. More debris has been shifted into this area.”

That made no sense. “Who would do that?” Affie said. “With all the things happening on this station, who’s got time to rearrange the wreckage?”

Leox picked up one of the smaller beams and tossed it aside. In the newly cleared space, Affie was startled to see vines growing—thick and ropey, spiny like cacti. At least half a dozen vines reached along the length of the floor. “They’ve grown this far in the past several minutes? How is that possible?”