“Got it,” I said, back in control. Mikki was here. She was an underwater expert, but it was my job to get the Hive machine to stop long enough for us to get away.
When I stood before her, I looked down at her face. Fuck, so familiar. So mine. I wanted to grab her in for a hug and never let go. Underwater wasn’t the time or place.
“I’m getting you the fuck out of here, and then I’m going to kiss you,” I told her.
She grinned, her wide smile visible through the glass. “And I’m going to let you.”
“Um, guys, kiss later. Survive now,” Rachel said.
“Surviving would be great,” Surnen said. “Governor, where is I.C.? If I can’t help get Mikki out of there, then I can at least coordinate from land.”
“Helion’s on his way, whatever that means,” the governor practically growled. It didn’t seem like our leader liked the guy.
I looked to Mikki, who was also listening. She had no idea who Helion was. I didn’t either, but I did know I.C.
“I’m glad they’re coming, but once they get here, they’re going to want as much information as we can give them,” Surnen stated. “Rachel, get as many samples as you can. The Fleet will need to know if these Hive machines are having any other effects on the planet. Giram, work with the others. Grid the Hive energy signatures that we are aware of. I doubt they’ve taken enough water to destabilize the planet’s orbit, but get a team on that as well.” I felt Surnen’s control snap back in place. “Trax, get our mate the fuck out of there.”
I winked at Mikki, and she rolled her eyes. The pull from the Hive machine was strong. I could feel it working my leg muscles and expected Mikki to be growing weary. I remembered feeling those sinewy muscles. She was strong. But for how long?
Reaching into my pocket, I pulled out the transport beacon, slapped it onto Mikki’s shoulder, although the movement was as if I were pushing through thick breakfast porridge, the water making my hand move slower than normal.
While it affixed itself to Mikki’s suit, the light didn’t come on. I pushed the button. Nothing. “Fuck. I think it’s broken.”
“Are you fucking kidding me?” Surnen shouted. I knew he was giving a death glare to the governor.
“The energy signature of the Hive device is interfering with transport. The techs cannot get a lock on the beacon’s location.” Maxim’s explanation did not make me happy, but I had Mikki in my arms and we were both alive and breathing. I wasn’t going to give up yet.
“Okay, mate. Any suggestions?” I asked Mikki, keeping my voice calm. I tried to slow my breathing. We weren’t exactly safe, but we could pause for a moment. Think.
She pointed to the sandy sea bottom. I couldn’t miss the pull of everything into the ground. I couldn’t see the machinery that was at work.
Picking up my foot, I stomped down, heard the sound of metal, felt it.
“The rock worked,” she said. “It messed with the gears or whatever it is. If there was something bigger to shove in there, it might stop the suction long enough for us to get away.”
We looked around us. No more rocks, nothing but small plants that leaned inward toward the suction, their roots too sturdy to be pulled in.
“My helmet,” I said. “I can take it off, jam it in there.”
“What? That’s crazy. You need air.”
“Not if it stops and we can swim to the surface.”
“The idea has merit,” Surnen said. “The helmet has a shield rating of nine point seven and can withstand direct fire from an ion cannon.”
“You’re saying jamming it into a Hive machine will not crush it,” I replied.
“Hopefully not. If their intention was to displace water, I doubt the machinery is built that strong.”
“But you won’t have air,” Mikki said. “We can use mine. I can hold my breath longer. I’m used to being caught underwater.”
I shook my head. “Mate. No. It must be my helmet.”
“What? Why?”
“Because I will not risk your life,” I said. I was calm now. My mission resolute. This was what I was meant to do, why I had gone through training, been captured by the Hive, integrated. Sent to The Colony. Became Surnen’s second.
My fate, my destiny had always been to be here and to save Mikki.