Glaring red lights flash as a signal sounds. Stuck in an elevator, lovers tumble together against ricocheting fear. Her heart strums a staccato beat—a bid for freedom as her eyes skitter over an eject trigger on the wall. His fingers slip over her shoulder and her eyes close, allowing calm to shutter her senses as a recorded voice thunders through the space.

"Enemy Skinchanger detected--"

Suddenly the lights stop, the signal dies. Fear softens, and she slumps her head against his torso. His laughter vibrates against her cheek. 

"Maybe they'll fix those signals, eventually." Her lover's voice, gritty and playful. With a lilting dialect not quite his own. It reawakens fear, coating her in ice. She shifts toward the trigger, adrenaline pulsing in her blood as their lips meet.

The elevator whirrs to life, lifting them through the ship's cavernous belly.

Sharp and fast, a venomous spike pierces her tongue. She pulls back. Lingering memories of happiness burn her mind.

A smug, guttural voice curls against her ear. "Don't worry, he'll follow you soon."

Her fingers brush the trigger, and she smiles as a needle lodges into her skin. His face morphs as acid eats into her failing organs. The elevator stops. Metal groans as defense mechanisms whir to life and lock them in, propulsion flames roar. Their bodies slam against the ceiling. Dredges of life flicker behind her eyes...

The crumpled remains of an elevator spiral in space behind the tail of the Skyrender.

The ship is safe.