Way of No Return (Champions of the Crystal Book 8)

Chapter 6.3

"It's almost like it's suspended in a fluid state," Ford mused, staring at the damaged matrix. "But why can't we free it?"

"I have never seen crystal do this," Tirqwin said. "And I am not sure it would be usable even if we could make it revert to a solid. I would certainly not risk it in Khediva."

"No, that would be for my ship," Ford said. "I wonder if being in a Way would affect it?"

"Perhaps. I do not know that I care to perform that experiment either," Tirqwin said. "At any rate, we have tried everything at hand, and it is time to return to Khediva and get her fit for travel. I propose that we—"

He broke off, and suddenly he, Ford, and Lien were standing on Khediva's control deck. "Distortion wave incoming!" Khediva cried. "Brace for impact!"

"Release docking clamps!" Tirqwin shouted.

"Too late!" Khediva replied.

Sabrina, get to the vault! Ford thought. Quick!

What's happening? she asked, but he could feel her moving, issuing orders.

Distortion wave, Ford barely had time to send before it hit. Khediva's deckplates vibrated violently, throwing Ford off his feet. Lien clung to a nearby console, and Tirqwin managed to stay upright, just barely. Ford grabbed in vain for a handhold, sliding across the deck as Khediva listed to one side. Sabrina!

The link filled with static, and he was forced to close his end to hear himself think. "Khediva, put me down at Bathir!"

"I cannot transport in these conditions," Khediva snapped. "We will be lucky if we are not torn in half. The docking cradle is shearing."

"Then I'll use a lifepod!" Ford shouted, trying to get to his feet as the vibration settled into a disturbing hum.

Lien helped Ford to his feet as Khediva said, "That would be unwise, Niavar."

"I don't care. I have to get down there!"

"Sir," Lien said, "they will be in the vault by now. They'll have closed the door. Even if we got down there, we couldn't get to them."

"Father," Ford pleaded. "My sick, pregnant wife is down there by herself! Help me!"

Tirqwin's fingers were flying over the console. "Sensors are down. Khediva, can you patch into the shipyard's system?"

"They have been affected as well," Khediva said.

"Sir," Lien said to Ford, "she isn't by herself. She's got an entire staff, any and all of whom would spend their lives to buy hers. Try not to panic."

"I can't reach her! She could be dead!" Ford cried.

"Your link has been affected by the distortion," Tirqwin said. "Mine has been disrupted since Avestar. Count yourself fortunate that you know Sabrina is safe."

Ford balled his fists in frustration, but he didn't protest further.

"Ah." Tirqwin said, pleased, as the sensor readouts came back online. "Oh," he said in an entirely different tone.

"Kyan?" Lien asked.

"Yes. One ship that we know of; it is on the other side of the planet. Major Lien, our communications are down. Please go and ask the shipyard staff to release the docking clamps."

Lien nodded and ran for the airlock.

"Receiving transmission," Khediva announced.

"I thought communications were down," Ford said, puzzled.