Free Justice by S.J. Bryant Page B

air supply is safe so yes,
theoretically you would still be able to breathe. But
Nova—”
    “ Thank you, Cal.”
    “ Nova, you won’t be able to walk!” Cal said before Nova cut
the intercom. The last thing she needed was distractions. They
would still be able to breathe. That was all she needed to
know.
    The hole in
the side of the plant had grown to the size of her arm. She plunged
her clenched fist through, tearing the gap wider. Her arm protruded
out the other side and waved in the air. She managed to thrust all
the way to her shoulder, creating a sizable hole.
    The plant
stopped moving. Through the hole Nova could see vines waving back
and forth through the air. The lid on top of the plant remained
closed.
    “ Rip it,” Nova said.
    She grabbed
one side of the hole with both hands and pulled. The flesh clung to
itself and she had to strain with all her might to create a tear,
but once it started it was much easier. Jack grabbed hold of the
other side and together they pulled the orange flesh apart. The
small hole grew until it was below the level of the pool.
    The corrosive
liquid poured out of the gaping hole, exposing more of Nova’s suit
to the air. She frowned at the paper thin layer that was left of
the suit but didn’t dare comment.
    “ Nova, it frickin’ burns!” Jack howled, bending over
double.
    She looked at
him, but couldn’t see his expression through the helmet. Without
hesitating, she grabbed hold of his shoulder and pushed him towards
the light. He stumbled in the liquid and flew head first through
the opening. His pumping arms and legs sent acid flying through the
air.
    The pool
drained to the level of Nova’s knees, but it was still too much.
Her legs burned like she was covered in hot coals. Without checking
to see if he was okay, she pushed after Jack, tears stinging her
eyes.
    She forced her
way out from between the orange flaps, stumbling as her legs came
free of the sticky pool. Her helmet smacked onto the ground and her
face collided with the glass. Stars flashed in her vision as her
head exploded with pain. She winced and pushed herself up.
    Jack lay a few
metres away, but he wasn’t moving. They lay in a shallow puddle
which had collected around the base of the plant, acid still
burning through their suits.
    The plant sat
still; even the tentacle vines had stopped waving, and lay around
them like dead snakes.
    Nova ran over
to Jack and hooked her elbows under his shoulders. She stepped
backwards, dragging his body away from the puddle. He didn’t
struggle against her; didn’t make a single sound. She pulled him
well away from the orange plant and looked around. There was
nothing except leaves.
    “ Cal, we need to get this stuff off,” she said.
    “ Arial surveys reveal no water sources near your location,”
Cal replied.
    “ Are any of these plants safe?” Nova asked.
    “ The ones with big heart-shaped leaves are safe, but be
careful of the red leaves, they’re deadly. The plants with the
really big leaves are also safe.”
    “ Okay.”
    She rushed
towards the nearest plant with heart shaped leaves. She tugged one
free, careful to avoid the red leaves, and furiously wiped the acid
off of her suit. Where the material was worn too thin it tore under
the pressure, leaving her skin exposed.
    A single drop
of acid fell from the torn edge of her suit and onto her shin. She
wailed in agony. The tiny drip sizzled as it hit her and a black
ring of burnt flesh formed. She rubbed at the drop with the leaf
but it was too late. Pain pulsed through her leg, up her back and
into her head before shooting down to her other leg.
    “ Cal, is it poisonous?” she said through clenched
teeth.
    “ Not with that amount, but you’ll have a scar.”
    She clenched
her eyes shut. Tears of pain dropped out and traced down her
cheeks. She took a deep breath and forced her eyes open. They fell
onto Jack’s body. She had to get to him, had to get the acid off or
it would eat through his suit