Free Star Alliance by Ken Lozito

knowledge that area was quarantined,” Gaarokk said.
    This is taking too long, Kaylan thought. The countdown timer was running out.
    “Gaarokk, please, this is the only chance we have of finding Zack,” Kaylan pleaded.
    “You must choose, Boxan,” Ezerah said. “The Cherubian drive is charging, and we’re moments away from being pulled into the wormhole that follows. Can you break the tether that holds the ship in place?”
    The silence that followed drained away any hope Kaylan clung to. Her hands balled into fists.
    “Gaarokk,” Hicks said, “we just need more time. Kladomaor said he can’t protect us and face the Xiiginn warships. If we leave and head for the Nershal home world, then Kladomaor will be free to distract the Xiiginns for a while.”
    Gaarokk cleared his throat. “That . . . could work.”
    “Where are you going?” They heard Efren ask over comms. Gaarokk was in Engineering.
    “Kaylan,” Hicks said, “open a channel to Kladomaor. Let’s tell him what we intend.”
    Kaylan nodded and opened a comms channel to the Boxan ship. “Kladomaor, we’ve found another option,” she said. There was a sharp power spike showing on the main holodisplay. The lighting on the bridge dimmed. Kaylan felt the artificial gravity on the Athena increase, pressing her into her seat. Those who were standing on the bridge were driven to their knees. Kaylan grunted with the effort just to stay awake. Then the pressure was gone.
    “We’re free. Go!” Gaarokk’s shout came through comms.
    Kaylan engaged the Athena’s engines, and they sped away from the Boxan ship.  
    “Warning,” the AI said. “Fusion reactor power levels will be detected if we maintain this speed.”
    Kaylan’s eyes were fixed on the console that showed their current position in the Nershal star system.
    “Kaylan,” Hicks said quietly. “Stealth is our best defense now.”
    Kaylan glanced at Hicks. He smiled, and his clear blue eyes conveyed his earnest intentions. She nodded and reduced the engines to ten percent. “Athena,” Kaylan said, “will this speed keep us from being detected?”
    “Affirmative, Commander.”
    Kaylan blew out a breath and rechecked their coordinates. She climbed out of the pilot’s seat and turned to face the others on the bridge.
    “We’re with you, Commander,” Hicks said.
    “Thank you,” Kaylan said.
    The door to the bridge opened, and Gaarokk’s hunched form came through. Kaylan walked over to the Boxan.
    “Thank you for helping us. I know it couldn’t have been easy,” Kaylan said.
    Gaarokk’s large golden eyes held a shocked expression, as if the Boxan couldn’t quite believe what he’d done.
    “How did you free us?” Hicks asked.
    Gaarokk blinked a few times as he came to grips with the moment. “Kladomaor used a gravity tether that kept this ship attached. The basis for the tether relies on maintaining a strong magnetic field. I increased the artificial gravity as much as I dared here and momentarily reversed the field. The disruption was enough to get us free. Kladomaor is smart. He will not be fooled a second time.”
    “Let’s hope there won’t be a need to do this again,” Kaylan said.
    Gaarokk glanced at Ezerah. “I just checked our records, and there is no reference of a Mardoxian chamber ever being built on Nerva.”
    “I’ve never seen it,” Ezerah said, “but Ma’jasalax assures us it’s there. She said it was built in secret to test for the Mardoxian potential in my species.”
    “You were a child when we were forced from this system, so I wouldn’t expect you to have seen it, but how are we supposed to find it?” Gaarokk asked.
    “We have the coordinates,” Kaylan said. “And Ezerah should be able to get us through any security that’s still in place. Given the state of unrest between the Xiiginns and the Nershals, I’m hoping we can sneak down there and use the chamber without anyone being the wiser. The trip there will take longer than it normally would,