Chapter 546: Limited Options

The communicator at Lu Zhen’s waist released a burst of static.

Vanish’s voice came through in broken pieces. "Engine...locked...cannot reverse..."

Lu Zhen lifted the device. "Vanish, can you hear me?"

Only static answered them.

The alien vessel’s announcement continued above them.

[Passage crossing: twenty-three percent.

Navigation control unavailable.

Automatic destination locked.]

Leng Pan looked toward the black crystal they had used to control the gate anchor. "The system registered us as emergency operators. We might be able to use the anchor to interrupt the crossing."

Lu Zhen examined the controls. Most of the symbols had disappeared, leaving only a warning that the anchor could not operate inside an active Passage.

"What if we activate it anyway?" Leng Pan asked.

"The vessel is already inside one spatial tunnel. Opening another could tear it apart."

"It might also push us out."

"On which side?"

Leng Pan was silent for a moment. "That part would be difficult to predict."

Lu Zhen turned toward her. "You were considering it seriously."

"We have limited options."

"We have not checked the control room."

"The alien soldiers will be waiting for us."

"I would rather fight them than allow a damaged gate to throw you into an unknown world."

Leng Pan studied his face before asking, "Would you feel better if I promised to keep opening another gate as our final option?"

"Much better."

"You know I could still do it if the control room plan fails."

"I know, but at least you agreed to wait."

She reached up and gently touched his cheek. "I do listen to you."

"Occasionally."

"More often than Little Vine listens to either of us."

The plant struck Lu Zhen’s arm with a leaf.

He looked down at it. "That does not prove your point."

Little Vine struck him again.

Leng Pan smiled and took his hand. "We should go before it decides to discipline you properly."

They left the energy chamber through the opening Little Vine had created in the transparent barrier.

The corridor outside had changed. Silver energy moved along the walls, and every door had been sealed for the crossing.

Little Vine entered the first control panel and forced it open, but the effort blackened the end of one tendril.

Leng Pan touched the damaged section. "Do not open every door this way. We need a route that avoids as many barriers as possible."

Lu Zhen used the translator to display the vessel’s internal map. "There is an emergency transport system connected to the control room."

The alien symbols directed them to a circular platform at the end of the corridor.

Leng Pan looked at it suspiciously. "That resembles the device that pulled the guardian units into the transport vessel."

"It might use the same technology."

"Which means it could separate us or send us somewhere else."

Lu Zhen pressed the translator against the platform. "It says the system transports authorized personnel between important sections."

"We are not authorized personnel."

"The gate anchor accepted us as emergency operators."

"That might only give us authority over the gate."

Lu Zhen stepped onto the platform and held out his hand. "Then we will test whether it recognizes us."

Leng Pan did not take his hand immediately. "If this sends you away without me, I will be extremely angry."

"I will return for you."

"You do not know where it might send you."

"I know my wife would find me eventually."

"That confidence will not save you from being scolded."

Lu Zhen smiled and extended his hand farther. "Then come with me and make sure I behave."

Leng Pan placed her hand in his.

The platform lit up beneath them.

[Emergency operators recognized.]

[Select destination.]

Lu Zhen chose the central control room.

Silver light surrounded them before the corridor disappeared.

They reappeared inside a large circular chamber filled with alien soldiers.

For a second, both sides stared at each other.

Leng Pan sighed. "It would have been helpful if the transport system warned us that the destination was occupied."

Lu Zhen’s flames spread around them. "We should suggest the improvement after taking control of the vessel."

The soldiers attacked.

Leng Pan released a wave of water that covered the floor while Lu Zhen sent fire above it. Thick steam filled the control room and blocked the aliens’ sight.

Several soldiers fired toward the platform, but Leng Pan had already pulled Lu Zhen away.

Little Vine moved through the steam and wrapped around the nearest weapons. It did not attempt to fight every soldier. Instead, it dragged their guns into Leng Pan’s space the moment her connection became available again.

One alien pulled the trigger just as his weapon disappeared.

An energy beam passed through the small spatial opening and struck a pile of empty metal containers inside.

Leng Pan immediately closed the connection. "Little Vine, stop storing active weapons."

The plant released an innocent movement with its leaves.

Lu Zhen burned through an alien’s armor before glancing at it. "It understood you. It simply does not agree."

A large soldier moved through the steam and struck Lu Zhen from the side.

Lu Zhen blocked the fist with one arm, but the force pushed him into a control station.

His face paled when his wounded back hit the metal surface.

Leng Pan’s water wrapped around the soldier’s neck and lifted him from the ground. She compressed it until his armor cracked, then threw him across the chamber.

She rushed to Lu Zhen. "Let me see your back."

"The soldiers are still attacking."

"Then answer me honestly. Did the wound open again?"

"It probably did."

Her eyes narrowed. "Probably?"

"It opened."

Leng Pan supported him as he stood. "After this, I am adding chains to my plan of tying you to the bed."

Lu Zhen released a stream of fire toward two approaching soldiers before replying, "I am discovering an unexpected interest in your medical arrangements."

"You will not find them enjoyable."

"You will be there. That improves any situation."

Leng Pan wanted to remain angry, but the warmth in his gaze weakened her resolve. "You are only flirting because you know it distracts me from scolding you."

"It appears to be working."

"It is postponing the scolding."

"I will accept that."

They fought their way toward the central controls.

The alien technicians attempted to override the emergency operator status, but Little Vine entered the system through one of the panels. Vines spread through the narrow spaces beneath the floor and destroyed the connections between several stations.

The soldiers’ armor lost power.

Without their protective fields, Lu Zhen and Leng Pan quickly forced them back.

The final technician reached for a red control symbol.

Leng Pan trapped his hand in ice before he could touch it.

Lu Zhen approached the station and used the translator.

[Emergency separation.]

[Warning: Activation will detach the vessel’s forward section.]

The technician had intended to abandon the rear of the ship, including the engines and energy chamber, inside the Passage.

Vanish, Sonny, and the prisoner were still in the engine section.

Leng Pan strengthened the ice around the alien’s arm. "He was going to sacrifice half the vessel and escape with the control room."

Lu Zhen looked at the crossing status.

[Passage crossing: sixty-one percent.]

The vessel had already moved beyond the midpoint. Reversing the engines alone might no longer pull it back to Earth.