Star Nomad (Fallen Empire, Book 1) by Lindsay Buroker

Author:Lindsay Buroker
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: space opera, science fiction, science fiction romance, space adventure, fallen empire
Publisher: Lindsay Buroker

Chapter 12

Alisa had the impression of fur, fangs, and at least four hundred pounds of muscled bulk before the creature was in the air, springing toward her, and all she could see was her death in its yellow eyes. She fired, shooting it in the chest, and dropped to the floor at the same time, doubting that even Beck’s powerful blazer pistol would slow its momentum.

She meant to roll, to scramble out of the way as fast as she could, but she was too slow. The massive creature slammed into her, smashing her against the shelves.

Its bulk crushed her, and pain exploded from both sides of her body. Shelves and implants tumbled down as fur filled her eyes. She sensed it raising a paw to strike with deadly claws. She shot again, point blank this time, then tried to fling herself to the side. Half-pinned against the broken shelves, she could not go far. She glimpsed light and pushed toward it, trying to escape, but it only spun to follow her. It raised its paw again, as if those blasts had not hurt it at all. She tried to fire again, but the heavy paw smashed against her wrist, thwarting her aim. The blast of energy flew harmlessly wide, slamming into the ceiling.

She dove away, not caring which direction she went, just needing space between her and the monster so she could think, figure out something. Before she could think of anything, the ground disappeared beneath her. The stupid broken grid. She had been too busy fleeing to notice it.

A bar gouged her ribs as she tumbled down, flailing, unable to find anything to grab onto. She splashed into two feet of water.

Afraid the creature would be right behind her, she yanked out her Etcher, ignoring the fresh wounds that shouted out for attention. She’d dropped Beck’s blazer somewhere, so this would have to do.

Shouts came from above. With water rushing past around her legs and blood roaring in her ears, she couldn’t understand them, but she couldn’t see the creature, and that was a good thing. A dark furry paw flopped down onto the grid. She flinched but aimed her gun at it. She almost shot, but it wasn’t moving. The shouts had died down too.

A crimson suit of armor came into view. Leonidas knelt next to the hole and peered into her oubliette.

“You all right, Marchenko?” he asked.

Alisa lowered her Etcher. “I’m alive. Things hurt. I hope our semi-retired doctor doesn’t have cold hands. I hate being worked on by doctors with cold hands.” She clamped down on the stream of words, barely conscious of what she was babbling.

Worrying about cold hands was ridiculous right now, but being hurt and thinking of medics made her flash back to those months in the hospital, those first weeks she had been awake and when she hadn’t been sure if she would live or die. Too many bad memories flooded her brain, threatening to take her over the edge.

She took several deep breaths, struggling to calm herself.

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