“What will you do?” Alitma repeated, in a frothing anger. ...

“I am truly sorry, Alitma,” Daniel said. ...

“I repeat—and you know how much I hate to repeat myself—you have my word that you will go free,” Alitma said. ...

“Daniel, once you activate this weapon, there will be a brief delay before it explodes,” Trak said with effortless nonchalance. ...

“Interesting,” said Alitma, watching the floating bread shards. ...

The rumble of the cannon shook the Afterthought and knocked Daniel to the ground. ...

“You …” Alitma said, his eyes focusing on Trak. “You used to be quite the killer.” ...

“Can you detach us from the cannon before it blows?” Daniel said. ...

“Whoop, whoop, cough, whoop,” blared the Afterthought’s older-than-dirt emergency alarm. ...

“Yes, excellent work Rachel-7,” Trak said. “In both your piloting maneuvers and your defensive strategy." ...