Bell carefully withdrew his own support, thankful for the Cyclorrians’ timely arrival. The Force had provided, as always. He stepped back, allowing the larger of the two engineers to add much-needed gravitational support to a beam that threatened to garrote the trapped attendant. Beside him, Ember barked, keen to get moving.

“I know, girl,” Bell said, raising his voice to be heard above the cutting tool. “We should just wait for a minute longer, in case they need our help.”

“Were you looking for a way out?” Senza asked, hugging herself as the engineers carried on their work.

Bell shook his head. “No. I’m looking for the chancellor’s son.”

“He’s on this ship?”

“I think so.”

“I hope you find him,” she said sincerely, her teeth chattering from the cold. Bell shrugged off his long outer robes.

“Here, wear this.”

She glanced at the cloak in surprise. “No … I couldn’t.”

“Please, you look cold.”

“I am. Thank you.” She took the robe and pulled it over her shoulders, smiling as the dark material all but swamped her. “I thought they’d be rougher. I mean, you’re monks, aren’t you?”

He returned the grin. “More or less.”

Ember barked again, scampering back a few steps before looking at him, her eyes full of meaning. He raised a hand.

“I know, I know. Just another minute.”

Bell reached out with the Force, trying to ascertain the extent of the attendant’s injuries, and was gratified to find that Denis’s legs were moving now the weight had been lifted.

“You’ll be all right,” he told him. “The Cyclorrians will get you out.”

“You’re leaving?”

“There are others I must help. Be well, Denis.”

“And you.” Color had even started to return to the attendant’s face. “Thank you. For everything.”

Bell turned to leave, convinced that Denis would be safe. How wrong he was. Ember was already bounding back up the corridor when an explosion sounded deep below them. The deck pitched and Bell crashed down into the water that was now gushing from the ceiling.

“What was that?” Senza cried out as the debris tumbled away, taking not only Denis but the smaller of the two Cyclorrians. Bell shot out a hand, grabbing the twisted edge of a hull plate to stop himself from falling into the dark pool that swelled beneath them.

“The debris must have formed a dam,” Bell realized as Ember hopped on a ledge and barked at the rising water as if she could frighten it away.