We're in Space ... So What?

Chapter 19: Do We Keep Her or Do We Freeze Her?

The ship shuddered as they entered the icy atmosphere of the new planet. The exterior was battered, and they could feel the cold creeping in through the thin walls. Judah glanced at the control panel, noting the flickering lights. They needed repairs, and soon.

As they landed in a secluded area, Judah turned to Angelia. "Okay, let's talk. What was that call about? Your boss-what does he want from you?"

Angelia sighed, her expression tense. "He wanted me to deliver a shipment of parts for him. I was supposed to gather them from different contacts, but when I met you guys, I thought I could finally get away from that life. I didn't expect him to send goons after me."

Judah frowned. "And now we're stuck in this mess because of it. What do you need to fix this? We can help, but we need to know what we're up against."

"I need some specialized parts that are hard to find," Angelia explained, biting her lip. "There's a salvage yard nearby that might have what I need. But it's dangerous. If my boss's people are still looking for me, they could be waiting there."

The boys exchanged glances. Ryan leaned back in his seat, arms crossed. "So, what's the plan? We just leave you here and hope for the best?"

Jamie shook his head. "We can't just abandon her. We might have our differences, but she helped us out. Plus, we need her skills if we want to get this ship into a better condition."

Judah nodded. "Exactly. We're in this together now. But if we're going to help, we need to be smart about it. What do you think, Angelia? Can you handle this?"

Angelia took a deep breath, considering her options. "I can go, but I need someone to back me up. It's too risky alone, and if my boss has put out a bounty for me, we might run into trouble."

Judah's brow furrowed. "How about we scout the area first? We can see what we're dealing with. Jamie and I can go, and Ryan can keep an eye on the ship."

Ryan frowned. "That sounds like a plan, but I don't want to be left behind. I'm not just going to sit here while you two go running around."

Jamie smiled at Ryan's determination. "Alright, how about this: we'll all go together, but we'll split up into two teams. Judah and Angelia can scout ahead, and Ryan and I can check the perimeter. That way, we cover more ground."

Angelia looked at Judah, her eyes searching for reassurance. "Are you sure? I don't want to put you in danger."

Judah gave her a small smile. "We've already been in danger. What's one more time? Just let us know what you need to find in that salvage yard, and we'll make it work."

"Alright," she agreed, her tone softening. "I need some specific components for the engine-fuel lines, some wiring, and a few circuit boards. If they have those, we'll be in much better shape."

"Let's gear up and head out," Jamie said, his voice steady. "We'll find what you need and get this ship fixed up. Then we can figure out our next move together."