Lost Planet 01 - The Lost Planet by Rachel Searles Page B

“Aren’t you afraid that maybe what happened to you is so horrible, once you find out, you’ll wish you never knew?”
    Chase froze. Of course he’d thought something like that, a possibility he shoved in some dark corner of his mind, but he’d never let himself believe it could be true. “Just leave me alone,” he said, pushing Parker aside to speed ahead.
    Behind him, Parker muttered something.
    â€œWhat did you say?” Chase asked.
    â€œI said I forgot that badge on the table when Mina dragged us out of the pub.”
    â€œWell, you stole it anyway. Serves you right.”
    Parker didn’t respond, and Chase stomped ahead on the path, fuming. They’d nearly been arrested, and Parker cared more about the stupid badge than about what was happening to Mina. After a few more minutes, they reached a point where the creek ran into a concrete tunnel on a sheer slope and the path curved up over a hill. Parker jogged up beside Chase as they climbed.
    â€œWe’re home free,” Parker said when they reached the top. Before them lay a wide park, and far on the other side was the small brick building where they had exited the first transway. Only a few more minutes and they’d be safely in the cruiser and on their way back home. Chase felt a strong urge to run the whole way to the cruiser, but restrained himself to avoid attracting attention.
    â€œSee, I told you everything would be fine,” Parker said.
    Chase turned to tell him that he could take his fine and shove it, but before he could get a word out, Parker dashed away. Maybe he thought Chase was going to take a swing at him. Chase shook his head, scoffing, and from the other side of the field, a flash of movement caught his eye.
    The two soldiers raced toward them, blasters drawn. Without a second thought, Chase took off after Parker, sprinting toward the entrance of the transway. The relief he felt when Mina emerged from the tunnel in front of them evaporated as a flash of bright light exploded on the ground.
    â€œThey’re shooting at us?” Parker shouted in surprise.
    Even Mina looked confused. Summoning an extra burst of speed, the boys caught up to her and raced inside the transway.
    â€œIs this because I hacked the cruiser?” asked Parker as they dodged around a young couple.
    â€œThis isn’t about the cruiser,” said Mina. “This is bad.”
    â€œIs it about me?” gasped Chase, but his question was drowned out by shouting that echoed behind them as the soldiers entered the tunnel.
    Parker led the way toward a side passage, and they ran into the narrow corridor toward their docking compartment. When they reached the door, Mina stood in back to shield them while Parker fumbled with the lock screen. The door slid open, and Chase dashed inside.
    â€œGet in, Parker!” Mina ordered.
    Parker stayed in the hall, fingers flying over the screen. “I’m making sure they can’t get through.”
    â€œDon’t bother, just get in the—”
    Chase turned around as another explosion of light filled the corridor. The beam hit Mina directly in the chest. Without making a noise, she flew violently against the door frame and crumpled to the floor. “Mina!” Chase ran to her side.
    Parker stepped over her body and ran to the cruiser. “Clear her out of the door!”
    Chase grabbed Mina by the feet and pulled, but it felt like he was trying to pull the cruiser, or possibly a small house. Was she made of solid lead? Straining every muscle in his back, he dragged her slender frame into the docking compartment.
    The door barely slid closed in time. A second later someone pounded on it from the outside, and a burst of explosions erupted as the soldiers tried to blast their way through.
    â€œGet in!” shouted Parker, once he had situated himself in the front seat of the cruiser.
    Chase paused to get a better grip on Mina’s feet. “Help