"Martin and Gabriel crouched in the VIP cargo bay. The most important cargo on this ship was stored-" Tom trailed off as he felt a tremor vibrate through the floors beneath his feet. The eyes of the woman on the bed flickered open and searched his face, seeking the reason he had stopped reading.

Tom fiddled with the cover of the book for a moment, then continued on. "Angel had arranged-" Another tremor, bigger this time shook the room. Little bits of dust worked loose from the ...