Chapter 7: Ransom Runner

“Truly no hiding now,” Jonica said as the floodlights of the bone yard turned on with a heavy thunk. Light poured into the area, illuminating the half-dozen rusty ships that Zas used as his “fleet.” She hissed in pain for a moment as her goggles struggled to adjust to the light.

A surge of panic hit Jonica the moment the floodlights snapped on. Blinking away the ugly flares of light, Jonica witnessed the forms of several groundlings loping towards her and Meph. They were armed with cobbled-together throwers or simple tools held as club-like weapons. Three scaly Ganymites were the first she picked out, squat, barrel chested, and covered in dark scales from their harsh planet. They were the closest. Then, a few lanky, milk-pale Ionians—so pale they almost glowed in the floodlights—ran towards Jonica as she charged forward, heedless of who came at her. All pulled up short when they recognized who it was that ran towards them. After that initial beat, those with armed with rifles still lif…