No. Gabrielle shook her head adamantly. Im tired of being driven around places without having any idea whats going on. Ill sit up front with you.

Look, I really think . . .

We can stay here and argue all day, said Gabrielle, staring defiantly at the other woman, or we can try and get out of here.

Megan held her gaze for a moment, as if testing her resolve, before nodding with a sigh. Fine.

She had only just managed to get herself strapped into the seat next to Megan before the truck surged forward, bouncing up the slope and towards the connecting tunnel.

If you have some kind of a plan in mind, said Gabrielle, as they swerved at a sharp turn and into the tunnel, Id really like to know what it is.

When they brought us here, Megan hunched forward, there was a dropship parked right outside the entrance.

I saw it, too.

They barrelled on past the cavern where Gabrielle had been locked up, before executing another ninety-degree turn into an entirely different part of the underground complex. Well, said Megan, peering ahead, that ship should be the best and fastest way out of here.

But what if its not there any more? Or

Itll be there, Megan snapped.

A siren began to wail, low and sonorous. Gabrielle was surprised that it had taken them so long to notice that all three of their captives were making a break for it.

Megan responded to the siren by driving even faster. They were heading up a long incline now, faint daylight seeping down from above and filtered through the atmospheric containment field.

Gabrielle saw some figures emerge, gesticulating wildly, from behind a huge stack of crates. Before she could shout a warning, something blew out their windscreen.

The truck swerved and crashed to a halt. Gabrielle stared down at the broken glass covering her lap, then looked over at Megan. Are you all right?

Megan nodded, breathing hard. You?

I think so.

Didnt get hit, said Megan. Thats the main thing.

She worked the trucks controls. It reversed, then shot forward and back on up the incline, picking up speed.

Get down, Megan yelled, and stay down.

Gabrielle ducked and heard the sound of gunfire. Voices dopplered past, then the truck juddered slightly as it collided with something. More shots followed in their wake. The light up ahead of them seemed painfully bright after so long down in the dimly lit caverns.

Megan pushed the rifle into Gabrielles lap. I need you to shoot anything that moves, she explained.

But Ive never used a gun bef

You said you wanted to ride up front, Gabrielle, Megan shouted, so make yourself useful. Just point the damn thing and pull the trigger. Its easy. You dont have to even fucking hit anything, just so long as it makes them think twice about getting in our way.