I grimaced at the terrible plan. “We can’t fly a Hive ship. We won’t even be able to start the damn thing. They’ll have it locked down, and we don’t have their access codes.”
Var stood from his crouch, looming over us. “I can fly it.”
That stopped me cold. “How? You’re a fine pilot, but how are you going to get past the Hive security protocols?”
Var tapped the side of his head like that was an answer. When I stared, waiting, he shrugged. “Ask Helion. I can fly it. Trust me.”
I looked from Var to Sambor. Obviously being a diplomat didn’t mean I knew all the secrets. “You know about this?”
“Yes.”
His response made me numb. I knew Helion kept things confidential, but having a Coalition fighter able to hack the Hive security protocols and take over one of their ships? That was something I should have been told.
“Get me down there. I can help.” Bahre clenched both of his hands into fists as if summoning his beast for one last hurrah before dying.
“No. You’re not going anywhere.” I wasn’t in charge here, but it was clear Bahre could be of no help. That only made his injuries worse since he knew they hindered him and potentially put all of us in danger. He was a weak link, but I sure as fuck wasn’t leaving him behind. I had no doubt Sambor and Var thought the same. My gaze locked with Sambor’s. “I can help.”
Sambor climbed to his feet and handed me his long-range ion rifle. “You aren’t going anywhere near those Hive. But you can shoot.”
“Indeed.”
“The Hive have been cycling through every sixty-three minutes.”
“What?”
“Exactly every sixty-three minutes,” Var confirmed.
Sambor sorted his gear as the Prillon watched. He, apparently, was ready to go. Sambor checked the power setting on his ion blaster, a second blaster, a blade designed to cut through armor, and his air supply. We only had a few hours left before our suits ran dry. We hadn’t eaten anything in over a day. It was now or never.
When he was satisfied, he looked at me, then Bahre.
“I’m going down to the wreckage, lure them out and away from their ship. I’m going to come at them from the rock formation at the rear of the craft. Niklas, you wait until I give you the signal, then take down as many as you can from up here.”
“What about me?” Var asked.
Sambor’s focused gaze shifted. “You are going to locate the nearest ship and steal it. Then you’re going to get it up here, load up Niklas and Bahre.”
“And you?” I asked.
“If it’s clear, I’ll signal you to drop down and open the hatch. If not, you get the fuck off this rock and don’t look back. I’ll kill as many as I can.”
Fuck. No. “No, Sam.”
I purposely used Lucy’s nickname for him to remind him that he had to get off this rock as well. We had a mate to take care of. A life to live. Dying on this stupid asteroid was not part of the plan. “I’m not leaving you here. It’s my fault we’re here. My duty put us in danger.”
Sambor’s rage rushed through the collar until I nearly choked on the strength of his feelings.
Rage. Anguish. Determination. No fear. There was no fear.
“And it’s my duty that will get us out. Later you can evaluate your priorities.” He leaned in close, our helmets nearly touching. “You listen to me. We’re here because of the Hive. Sure, maybe you need to consider taking some days off, but you’re seeing what’s important now. Lucy. And she needs one of us to survive. You are her mate. You claimed her. You put the Lorvar collar around her neck and named me your second. You will survive. You will take care of her. That is your job, your duty. You will get off this rock.”
“And what of you, Sam? You are not going to sacrifice yourself to save me. I won’t allow it.”
“If we pull this off, we’ll all be going home. But if you need to leave to ensure Bahre gets to care and Var gets his ass out of here for another mission, you will.” Sambor checked the ion rifle and held it out to me. He pointed up. “There. Right where I was. Maybe three paces to the left. That should give you the best view of the wreckage. Don’t shoot until I give you the signal.” Sambor held out the rifle until I took it, but I wasn’t done with this fight.
“What about Lucy? You will break her heart. She can’t lose you.”
Sambor ignored me, began to walk away, Var on his heels. I tried to stand, but Bahre’s huge hand settled in the center of my chest and shoved me back to the ground. “Let him go.”