Becca stopped dead as darkness engulfed her, her breath trapped in her throat. Interminable seconds ticked by. Where the hell is the emergency lighting? A gentle hand pressed to the small of her back, firing sparks up her back. Ethan. She’d know his touch anywhere. This close to him, his scent enveloped her.

“Becca, you okay?” Ethan’s voice was solid and comforting in the darkness. Even though she didn’t want it to be. Couldn’t let it be.

Warmth from his palm soaked into her skin. Her stomach flipped, and a low heat ignited deep in her belly.

She folded her arms, trying to block him out, to keep her defenses up. Keep herself safely locked away. “I’m fine.” Her voice was cool and controlled and sounded unnaturally loud in the darkness. The lights still weren’t happening. Damn it. “Aimee, activate emergency lighting. Shaw? Betts?”

“Crap.” A clatter. “I’m okay.” Shaw.

“Betts?”

Shaw’s voice was gruff. “Yeah, I’ve got her. Betts, you’re crushing my arm.”

At last, Ethan stepped back and her ribs relaxed. Stars danced in the back of her eyes and a faint redness pulsed across her retinas.

Concern laced Ethan’s voice. “This happen before?”

Becca shook her head before she remembered what a waste of time that was. “No. But the glitches seem to be coming pretty thick and fast right now. Aimee. Lights back on, now.”

What was up with Aimee? Her responses should be instantaneous.

A high-pitched whine filled the thick, dark air around them, making the hairs on Becca’s arms prick to attention.

“Emergency auxiliary lighting commencing.” Aimee’s tone was as unruffled as ever.

“Nothing ever freaks her out,” Becca said, aware of how irrational she sounded.

She took a deep breath. She’d trained for this. One problem at a time. Methodical. They would work their way out of this. Back into the sunshine and the green grass and trees. Tall, rustling trees. She held the image in her head, forcing her breathing to slow. At last, red emergency lighting flickered into life above her head. Betts was sitting on Redd’s bed, clutching Shaw with pale knuckles.

“Aimee, report,” Becca instructed as she waited for her vision to adjust.

“Mainframe power is disabled, Dr. Johnson. All systems within Ceto habitat now running on temporary auxiliary power with limited lifespan.”

What? “All systems? Including life support?”

“That is correct, Dr. Johnson.”

Becca turned to Ethan, resisting the gnaw of anxiety in her belly. Em. “Mainframe power and life support are in Engineering. Em’s there with two of your men.”

Ethan shot her a reassuring smile that washed over her but did nothing to undo the knot in her belly. “I’m sure there’s a simple explanation.” He depressed the comms button on his shoulder. “Nik? What the hell are you doing down there? You were sent to fix stuff not make the situation worse.” He waited. “Luca down there with you?”

Loud static filled the space between them, and Becca’s pulse cranked up several notches.

“Luca. Nik. Respond.”

More crackles and spits.

Betts and Shaw climbed off the bed and came and stood beside Becca. “Aimee, what’s the situation in engineering?” Shaw asked.

“All mainframe and life support systems are now running on auxiliary power.”

“We know that. What about Luca and Nik?” Ethan interrupted.

“And Dr. Vincent?” Shaw added.

“Dr. Vincent is not responding to communications, neither are your men, Ethan Carter.”

Ethan was already heading for the door. “No shit.”

Becca jogged after him, her elbows pressed painfully tight to her sides. The muscles in her jaw creaked as she quizzed Aimee again. “Have you located Dr. Redd, Aimee?”

“I’m sorry, Dr. Johnson, I do not have that information.”

Ethan shook his head in disgust. He clicked his comms button once more. “Chief, Luca and Nik aren’t responding. I’m on my way down to engineering. “

“I’m coming with you.” Becca insisted.

Ethan took a step away from her, his cobalt eyes darkening. “No, you’re not.”

“Ethan, I’m not going to sit here while you go find out what’s happening. Life support is down and Redd’s out there and he’s dangerously sick. Besides, someone might be hurt. And then you’ll need a doctor.”

She wasn’t taking no for an answer. She pulled open a drawer near the office and removing a small key on a chain, she unlocked a white cabinet secured to the wall. From inside the cabinet she unhooked three Tasers before grabbing a flashlight from the shelf above.

She turned to Shaw and Betts, and tossed them each a Taser. “I want you both here in case Redd returns.”

Shaw nodded in agreement and checked the charge on his Taser. Betts looked like she was going to puke but Becca couldn’t deal with that right now. Restoring power and life support was their priority.

“I can handle myself. I won’t get in your way. But I’m coming.” Becca strode past Ethan, her head high. “This way.”

Becca guided him along the rear corridor, an outer link which connected the spokes of the research labs with engineering. She tightened the grip on her Taser, mentally steeling herself for what they might find.

“How can a computer that runs an entire habitat and monitors the vital signs of everyone on board not be able to find one of your scientists or inform me what’s happened to my men?”

Becca hit the door lock for engineering. The light flashed to green. “I have no idea.”

“Have there been other operational problems with Aimee?”

“Until today, none.” But now I barely recognize her. Something was different in Aimee’s tone. An undercurrent of belligerence that she’d never heard before. Ethan’s note came back to her. She’d dismissed it instantly at the time, but now? What if he was correct? Was Aimee capable of actions that could jeopardize the safety of her team? Becca rubbed her upper arms as if the friction was capable of dispelling the doubts worrying her.

The door swung open and inside was as shadowy as the corridor she was in now.

“Ready?” Ethan asked.

Becca didn't allow herself the luxury of hesitation. Her team was depending on her. “Yes. I’m right behind you.”

Ethan took the lead, and Becca followed, her heart crashing against her ribs like a trapped bird. The room was silent when it should’ve been filled with the hum of the CO₂ scrubbers. Her fingers flexed on the handgrip of her Taser. She’d never fired one of these things in a real-life situation.

“Luca? Nik?” Ethan’s voice was strong and deep in the cool, recycled air but there was no response.

Becca raised her flashlight. Swept it over the silent banks of machinery that loomed, tall and incomprehensible with all their dials and displays. The guts of the base. This was Em’s stronghold. Anytime Becca was down here, she felt overwhelmed. She stepped forward and placed her flashlight on the desk in front of the main computer bank that controlled life support in the habitat. All the screens were blank.

Becca hit a few keys while Ethan provided cover, his back bumping gently against hers. Her skin tingled where he brushed against her, causing the breath to catch in her throat. She shook her head. Concentrate. Fear and adrenaline were playing tricks on her.

The room was disturbingly quiet.

“Where the hell is everyone?” Ethan muttered.

“The CO₂ scrubbers have been disengaged, Ethan. I don’t think they’re damaged,” Becca whispered. “They’ve been switched off.” She raised her head. “We need to switch the systems back on manually, over there.”

She pointed her flashlight to illuminate the far side of the room and spoke quietly. “Scrubbers are on the left, oxygen electrolysis equipment is further back.”

Ethan cupped her elbow. "Stay close behind me."