Same set of footprints in here. Some Atlan sized, others not. None of this made any sense.

I moved to the control panel and thanked the gods I had scavenged enough Hive tech to recognize some of the switches and scanners. I turned on life support to the room, enabled the shield on the front doors and waited until I heard the telltale hiss of fresh air being pumped into the room from the atmospheric generators. The Hive were a mindless horde, but they were extremely good at keeping their new puppets alive.

In just a few minutes, I had scanned the entire base for movement, energy or anything that would indicate activity. Nothing.

Satisfied it would be safe for Abby, I ran back to where I had left her.

“Abby, it is safe.”

Her head popped out from under the rock. “Nine thousand, nine hundred and thirty-six.”

I reached down and pulled her out of her hiding spot. “Found you.”

“Nine thousand, nine hundred and thirty-seven.”

“Abby.”

“I’m on a roll here. I’ve never counted this high before.”

“Do you wish to continue? I will wait.”

“No. My brain is tired of numbers. Took you long enough.”

“My apologies, mate. I had to ensure the Hive base was truly abandoned.”

“The Hive?”

“Yes.”

“Oh shit.” Abby bent over, her hands resting on her knees as she took several deep breaths. “The Hive. That’s so not cool.”

“You are safe with me.”

“I know.” She held out one of her hands toward me, and I ignored it, choosing instead to lift her into my arms once more. “Doesn’t mean I won’t be totally freaked out.”

“Perhaps I need to use my large…advantage to fill your pussy and distract you with orgasms.”

“Tease. There is no way we are having sex in some dusty, old, abandoned Hive place. That’s creepy.”

“Is this an argument, mate?”

Abby burst into laughter, and my heart soared. “No. Definitely not.”

“I think it is.”

“No. Not an argument.”

“Yes.”

“No.”

I laughed as I carried her the rest of the way to the Hive base.

11

Abby, Abandoned Hive Base, Latiri 4

Creepy? Totally.

Dusty? Yes. But more than dust, there was debris everywhere. Broken things. Forgotten things. It looked like whoever had been here had just looked up one day, turned around and walked out.