My lungs grew tight, and I wasn’t sure what I was feeling—if it was relief or exhaustion or just overloaded emotions—but I opened my eyes to watch the screen. I’d worry later about how I was supposed to feel about destroying a moon and a base. I’d wait until I heard if everyone made it out okay.

The ship rocked again.

“What was that? Another moon exploded?”

Lorne gave me a small laugh. “I wish. Base’s security drones are firing at us. We have to go. Support ships are heading our way now.”

Declan was so close. My friends. So close.

Lorne lowered the ship in front of them. “Hatch is open, Dec. Move your ass!”

One of the figures stumbled, and I gasped. No. I couldn’t tell who was who in the suits, but I didn’t want anyone left behind.

One of the others grabbed the stumbler, half dragging them toward the ship, and I breathed easier.

The screen shifted in front of Lorne, showing the drones firing at us. “We need to get out of here. Oh gods. Hurry, Dec! We need to go!”

I’d been focused on the bottom square—the seven figures in suits running into the hatch—but now I looked at the bigger picture.

I propped myself up on my elbow and my vision blurred for a second before I saw what Lorne saw.

He was right. More ships were coming from patrols. At least fifty.

An alarm started ringing, and I knew we were screwed.

Footsteps ran down the hall, and I grunted as I heaved myself off the ground, leaning against the wall to keep me upright. I needed to see my friends. I needed to know that they were okay.

Declan was the first to appear, and I closed my eyes. Thank God.

“What the hell, Lorne?” Declan asked. “Why aren’t we jumping?”

I swallowed down the guilt. It was going to be my fault if we didn’t get away now.

“We can’t,” Lorne said. The ship swayed before speeding up, maneuvering between SpaceTech’s fleet.

“What? That one hit was too much—”

“Look at her.” Lorne’s voice was full of anger, and I knew he meant me.

I wanted to apologize, but I didn’t dare. That would only piss off Lorne more.

Audrey dropped down beside me, still in her suit. Her face was pale, and her left eye was swollen. “You can’t leave her like this. She needs nanos!” Audrey yelled.

“No!” Lorne and I said at the same time.

“I can’t do that. Not again,” I said. The idea of it made me want to give up and die right then and there.