Ventus by Karl Schroeder

Karl Schroeder / Ventus / Page 405
"We may have to act quickly," Calandria said. "Where
would be a good spot?"
"Nowhere’s a good spot," he said. "So we might as well
flag her down right here. At least it’s level and open."
"Here goes," said Calandria. Then her voice spoke in his
mind. "This is Calandria May calling the Pan-Hellenia. Can
you hear me?"
They waited in tense silence. The brightening star had
begun to drift away over the lake, following Diadem.
"Hello! Yes, it’s me, Marya. Are you with Axel chan?"
"Yes."
"They’re behind me, so I’m coming down at your last
location--"
"No! Can you find us from this signal? We’re a couple
hundred kilometers south of where he last contacted you."
"Oh. I don’t know if I can... Yes, it says it can do that.
Do you have shelter?"
Axel and Calandria exchanged a glance. He squatted
down and began pulling stalks of grass out of the ground.
"Shit. Shit, shit shit."
"Why do you need shelter?" asked Calandria. "Are you
trying to pick us up, or--"
"Pick you up? I’m trying to stay alive! The Swans are
behind me, they’re closing in. They’ve picked off every ship
that’s tried to get past Diadem. I’ve stayed ahead of them this
far by skimming the top of the atmosphere, but they’re all over.
Everywhere! I-- hang on--"
Axel could see his shadow on the grass. He glanced up,
in time to see the star brighten again to brilliant whiteness, and
swerve quickly in their direction. Around and above it, a
coruscating glow had sprung up, like an aurora.
All over, thought Axel. Great.