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Mara
stopped.  Only the sound of the air handler was audible at first. Then
came the distant wail of an alarm and muffled shouts.
    “Naomi, get those
bags on the Ship. Mara, spin up the engines. We’ve got to leave.”
    “Where are we
going?”
    I have no
idea.  

Chapter
7
    Justin grabbed a
long-handled wrench and ran back down the passageway where he had met Naomi
moments before. At the far end he slammed the hatch closed, locked it, and then
jammed the door with the tool. It wouldn’t stop whoever was coming, but it
would slow them down. 
    He dashed back up a
flight of stairs, and into the control room. Quickly he surveyed the bays
below. Police were already in the first one looking at the bodies. Glancing to
his right he noted the glow from the ship engines in bay three. Mara would soon
be ready to launch. His fingers flashed over the controls as he entered the
code to open the external doors. 
    Alarms
sounded. 
    Red lights
flashed. 
    The police looked up
and fired at Justin.
    Glass shattered.
    He dropped to his
knees.
    A computer voice
advised, “Warning! The external doors of bay three will open in 30 seconds.”
Pumps sucked air from the dock.
    Still crouching, a
thought came to him and he entered the codes to open the other external doors.
He smiled. That’ll keep them busy for a while.
    Red lights flashed
as the computer repeated the warning for the other docking bays, Justin ran
from the room.  Grabbing the railings at the top of the stairs, he flew
down them hardly touching a step.  The entrance to bay three had
automatically sealed, but he entered via the airlock.  As he dashed across
the hold he gasped for air and his ears popped painfully. Running up the ramp,
he stumbled, then lunged into the open airlock of the
ship.   
    *              
*              
*
    Justin’s head
throbbed with each beat of his heart.  He pushed the nightmare of red
lights and suffocation from his mind and forced open his eyes only to wince in
pain as subdued light hit his pupils.  It was several minutes before he
tried again to gradually open them.  Even the dim light was painful, and
he had trouble focusing the image. He lay on a bed in an unfamiliar
compartment.  The walls were an ivory white, the furnishings simple but
stylish.  The blanket over him was woven in shades of blue.  He
sighed. I’m not in jail. He tried to stand, but nausea swept over him
and he collapsed back on the bed.  I’ll stay here for awhile .
    Several minutes passed
before the door opened, but he couldn’t see who it was from his sprawled
position. He decided to let whoever it was believe he was still unconscious and
besides, his head hurt every time he moved.  Whoever it was stood silently
for a moment then stepped toward into his field of view.
    He smiled at the
sight of Naomi.
    She held a tray with
a pitcher, glass and other items. Sitting it on the dresser, she poured a glass
of water. Turning toward him, her eyes caught his and she smiled. “How are
you?”
    “Head hurts.”
    She nodded. “It will
pass.” She handed him the glass of water and a tablet from the tray. “This will
help.”  She waited while he swallowed, then said, “You are not a Nephilim .”
    “No. Just a man.” Talking hurt his head.  “How long have I
been out?”
    “Less than thirty
minutes.”
    “Are we safe?”
    She shook her head.
“Not yet.  The police and Ferren are in pursuit,
but Mara is staying ahead of them.”
    Started the day a
prosperous business man and ended it a fugitive. Slowly he sat
up.  Definitely not my best day. “Is Mara
hooked to the ship’s systems?”
    “Ah, yes. I…I helped
her connect.” Her face flushed. “I didn’t know she had an implant.”
    Justin nodded. “A present from our former owner.” He reached out his arm.
“Help me.”
    He put his arm
around Naomi’s shoulders and they walked out.
    Naomi helped onto
the ship’s bridge.  He’d been here several times while his