Bell’s eyes were still closed as Senza shouted out: “The water level! It’s dropping.”

We are not alone.

Could it be true? Was the water really draining away?

We are not alone.

But what of Ember and the others? Were they safe?

We are not alone.

Bell grinned as he was rewarded by the sound of the charhound breaking the surface along with the splutter of the Cyclorrian she’d rescued. Still he couldn’t look, even as the dog dived back down to search for the missing man. Bell longed to take her place, but he knew that would spell doom for them all. The dam wouldn’t hold by itself.

We are not alone!

“Denis! Oh, thank the stars!”

This time Bell whooped with joy, listening to Ember bark and the two Cyclorrians helping Senza haul the retching attendant to safety.

Good girl, Ember. Good girl.

“You all right up there?” Denis asked, gasping for breath.

“I am now,” Bell replied, finally allowing himself to open his eyes. Ember barked up at him, looking as though she wanted to leap up and take the strain of the dam herself. If only, but she had another job to do.

“Get them off the ship,” he told her, the charhound whimpering slightly, confused by the command. “You know the way out,” Bell continued, nodding at the hole he’d cut through the bulkhead. “You can find a path, I know you can.”

“What about you?” Denis asked, shivering beneath the robe that Senza had transferred to his shoulders.

“I need to hold the water until you’re clear.”

Ember barked, more forcibly this time.

“It’s okay, girl,” he said, despite the weight of the water bearing down on the metal high above his head. “I’ll see you again, I promise.”

The look in her eyes broke his heart. He had no idea if she believed him or not, but he needed her to listen to him before it was too late. With one final whine, Ember did as her master commanded and leapt from one foothold to another, the orange spots beneath her fur shining like miniature beacons in the dark. The others followed, scrambling toward the hole Bell’s lightsaber had carved, following the hound as she disappeared out of sight. Bell could still hear her, in the next corridor, barking encouragement as the Cyclorrians helped Denis and Senza through the gap. The Pantoran was the last to leave, Ember already leading the others to safety.

“Are you coming?” she asked, looking down at Bell.

He shook his head, hand still raised toward the mass of metal that was keeping the water in check. “You go. I have work to do.”

“On your own?”

“I’m not alone. Not really.”

“Are you sure?”