Page 98 of A World Enough

Camber was just starting to waken when a loud beeping noise interrupted them.

“Camber, how do I switch this off?”

“I need to answer. It’ll be Ziggy. Computer, answer.”

“Camber, Brogan, you need to get out of here. Davor’s men are here and about to dock. You have about twenty minutes.”

The loving, happy atmosphere was gone.

“Where do we go, Ziggy?” Brogan said.

“To the roof. I’ll message you exact instructions. I need to go and try to slow them down.”

“We need to go now,” Brogan said. “Do me a favour, can you put my clothes, the picture I was drawing of you, and my credit chip in your satchel?”

“Why don’t you need your clothes?” Camber asked.

“Because I’m going to shift to pelt to get you out. I’m at my most powerful as my wolf,” Brogan said, and she pulled Camber’s hand to her. And kissed it.

“Go quickly. Ziggy said we had twenty minutes to get out.”

“Yes.” Camber pulled on her clothes and ran to get everything they needed.

When Camber left the room, Brogan shifted to pelt and stretched out all of her limbs.

Brogan’s wolf hated being apart from her mate, because that’s who Camber was. Her mate. But Brogan didn’t want to say that and confuse Camber. She’d never been with anyone before, and they were from two very different worlds.

But she had a job for the moment. Protect Camber at all costs.

Camber put Brogan’s clothes and credit in her satchel and hurried back to the living area. She was taken aback when she saw Brogan. Brogan, her wolf.

Of course she’d seen her as her wolf in the RR, but that was a big landscape. Here in this smaller living room, she seemed so much bigger.

“Hi, Wolfy.” Camber just tried to get this new dynamic in her head.

Brogan gestured with her head to encourage Camber over to the door. She did and Brogan licked her hand.

Camber stroked her ears. It made her feel calmer to have this wolf by her side.

“Okay, Ziggy said that we were to go out towards the lift, but walk right instead of getting on, and walk around until we see a painting on the wall. I’ve to put my hand on the wall, which Ziggy has reprogrammed to respond to me, and when the wall disappears, take the staff entrance up to their break room. We can get access to the roof there, where Ziggy’s ship will be. Okay?”

Brogan scratched the door with her paw.

“That’s a yes, then. Let’s go.”

Camber opened the door, and Brogan took the lead as expected. Camber saw her look both ways and walk out. She sniffed the air and indicated for Camber to follow her. They arrived at the painting that seemed to change image periodically.

She pressed her hand against the wall, and the painting changed to a doorway. Brogan again sniffed the air. Giving the all clear, Brogan padded up the stairs.

The staff room was a big open room, with silver tables and many food and drinks machines.

“Brogan, there’s an emergency door up that steel staircase.”

Brogan’s demeanour changed. She started to growl and pushed in front of Camber.

Then through the door at the other side of the room, Ziggy walked in calmly and sat on the table at the back.

“Ziggy, what’s happening?” Camber asked.