resolved itself into one of the female Cres. She slowed to a walk and approached Jalia.
âAre we set to go?â
âJust waiting on the final word. I was afraid you werenât going to get here in time.â
âWe had some complications,â the Cres admitted. âGorovan security forces and a group of mercenaries tried to ambush us on the bay ring, but they have been dealt with. Iâd prefer if we could leave before they try again. Weâre vulnerable here if they can pinpoint our location.â
âWeâre second in line to depart,â Jalia said, her mind flashing back to the Morrin transport exploding. She did not want that happening to her ship, especially with her onboard it. âWhoâs after you anyway?â
âWe have many enemies,â she said as another Cres came into view and took up a guard position next to the umbilical on the bay ring. Jalia saw him kneel outside, with only his right leg visible from her position. As he did, a large floating crate swallowed up nearly all the empty room in the umbilical, with a pair of Cres boots showing underneath.
âHow many crates?â Jalia asked as she and the female moved back out of the umbilical and into the ship to make way.
âJust the one.â
âThis way,â Jalia said, pointing down the corridor that led to the primary cargo bay. âWeâre packed pretty tight, but there should be some spots to squeeze it in.â
The Cres nodded and led the crate as Ivara pushed it. Jalia stayed at the umbilical and walked out to meet the crouched Cres whoâd slipped back inside now that the crate was past.
âWhere are the rest of your Âpeople?â she asked tentatively.
âEn route,â he said simply.
Jaliaâs earpiece activated again.
âThank you, control,â she answered. âIs the Priia clear yet?â
There was a slight pause as the bay control answered and Jalia circled her finger in a hurry-Âup motion to the Cres. If they delayed, it would draw immediate suspicion.
The male Cres didnât say anything, just kept staring out into the bay ring.
âGood,â she said, talking to the air in a voice that did not match her frustrated facial expressions. âAny lingering debris out there that I need to worry about? I saw the explosion from the promenade, looked like it sprayed junk everywhere.â
âForty dek,â the Cres whispered.
Jalia nodded. âIf you say so, but Iâd like to exit with shields active just to be on the safe side, with your permission?â
Another short pause.
âThank you, control. Iâm sure youâve had quite a day on your hands,â she said empathetically as another Cres ran into view, slipping past them and boarding the ship.
One down . . . one to go.
âBet youâre going to be hitting the bars tonight,â she said, mildly joking. âStand by to release docking clamps.â
Jalia smiled and uttered a short, clipped high-Âpitched laugh. âNo kidding,â she answered. âDonât worry, I wonât hold it against you. Gorovan has been good to me.â
Two barely audible footsteps later the last Cres sprung into view and darted into the ship. The male Cres gave the bay ring one last glance then backtracked down the umbilical with Jalia. As soon as they set foot on the Resolute again Jalia sealed the airlock and triggered the automated umbilical retraction.
There was a loud clicking repetition, followed by a short jerk and thud.
âGo ahead and retract,â Jalia said, relieved as she reached up to tap the OFF button on her comm. âWeâre good to go.â
Several loud thumps sounded as the magnetic clamps deactivated and retracted from the ship. Jalia cut the comm and jogged back into the cockpit, activating the autopilot stabilization program that instantly nulled out the list resulting from clamp release.
âHere we go,â she