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CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Hoshi ran along the hallway behind Trip and Malcolm, Delacruz and Myers following. Malcolm led them up one level, stopping outside another white door. He opened the door cautiously, waited, and stuck his head in. Apparently seeing nothing, he disappeared inside, returning seconds later with their missing phasers. He handed one to each of them.

"Now that's more like it," Trip said. Hoshi held the weapon gingerly; she had never been an expert with the things, and a good deal of time had passed since she touched one at all. She turned it over in her hand, testing the feel of it.

Malcolm laid a hand on her arm. "Are you going to be all right with this?" She nodded with more confidence than she felt. He looked at her intently and brushed his hand over her hair. She watched him, unsure of what to say.

"Ahem." Behind them, Trip cleared his throat, obviously trying not to glare. "Think we better get outta here?"

Instantly Malcolm was all business again. "Of course." He led them back to the stairs. As they climbed, the sounds of battle became so loud they were almost deafening. They went up one more level and approached wide glass doors. "This is the fastest way to the shuttlepod."

Through the glass, Hoshi could see the temple looming. The medical complex was located directly next to it, about halfway up the numerous stairs winding up from the road. Malcolm and Trip darted outside, glancing around carefully and motioning for the rest to follow.

Malcolm pointed to the west. "This way." He took the lead again.

When the shot hit him, spinning him around, Hoshi screamed. Before she could react, he was back on his feet, clutching his arm and shouting for them to follow. Trip reached back, grabbing her hand, and they all sprinted in the opposite direction from the weapon fire—towards the temple.

"Inside!" Trip yelled to Malcolm. The crewmates threw themselves through the enormous doors, slamming into the floor and far walls. The shots followed them, clearly getting closer.

"We have to move back!" Trip nodded in response to Malcolm's shout. Hoshi was curled tightly into his body; he grabbed her and forced her into the next room. Malcolm and his men fired several shots out the wide doors before following. From the doorway of the second room, Hoshi saw several Jafari try to enter. They were driven back by phaser shots, but seemed determined to pursue their prey.

Delacruz was standing closest to the door. A wild shot by a Jafari weapon caught him in the throat. His body flew back into Myers, who caught him. They could see he was dead before Myers had a chance to lower him to the ground.

Hoshi clapped a hand over her mouth. A grim Trip shoved her back. "Get into the next room, Hoshi." She shook her head and brandished her weapon. On the opposite side of the doorway, Malcolm swore.

"Hoshi, go, for Christ's sake!" She wheeled to look at him; he was leaning against the wall, sweat standing out on his pallid face. The left arm and shoulder of his jacket were drenched with blood. She took a step toward him.

"Get back!" he snapped. Trip yanked her back behind him.

She wanted to sob; she tamped down on it, but she couldn't manage to control the tears filling her eyes. She was frightened, for herself, but mostly for them.

The Jafari had made it into the first room of the temple. Malcolm looked like he was starting to fade; Trip took charge. "Myers, grab Malcolm. Let's move back." He gave Hoshi a gentle push while he shouted over the blasts.

She ran back, taking her place behind the door and providing cover fire for the three men to follow her. Myers deposited Malcolm next to her, then moved to the opposite side to help Trip close the enormous stone door. They all sighed with relief when the heavy door banged shut.

The relief was short-lived. "Shh!" Hoshi said, looking up and around. "What is that?"

They were completely silent. The Jafari were making a racket trying to open door. But over that, they could here a loud booming sound, almost like thunder. It was gradually growing closer. As it closed in, the ground started to vibrate in time with each sound.

"What the hell…?" Trip said what was on all of their minds. Focused on the sound, they failed to notice the door crack open. Until a shot blasted Myers in the back, knocking him forward. Hoshi cried out again; Trip threw himself into the door, slamming it shut.

They all looked at Myers. His back had been split open by the close proximity of the shot. Hoshi stared at his face; he looked surprised, but not frightened. She felt a silly urge to brush his strawberry-colored hair out of his eyes. Quiet tears ran down her face and she looked away.

The crashing sound, which they now recognized as huge explosions, was getting even closer. They could hear the destruction it was causing—buildings being destroyed, people crying out. At once, they realized they were directly in its path. "There's no way out," Hoshi whispered, looking between the two men.

Malcolm's gaze moved past her to the Sh'ron. He turned to look at Trip, glancing down at his own damaged body. An understanding passed between them; Hoshi could see it in the way Trip's face tightened.

"What…?" But she knew. She whirled on Malcolm.

"Malcolm, NO. Do you understand me? NO! We're not leaving you!"

The entire temple shook violently with the next blast; Trip barely kept on his feet.

Malcolm's eyes met Hoshi's. Suddenly, he locked his good hand behind her neck, pulling her forward full against his body. He planted a bruising, tender kiss on her mouth. She was swamped with the familiar taste and feel of Malcolm. She kissed him back just as fiercely.

He pushed her back. His eyes were fired with determination and desire. "I love you," he rasped.

"I love you too," she choked, running her hands over his face. The ground shook again; whatever was causing that sound would hit them any second.

Strong arms closed around her waist from behind. "NO!" she screamed, clawing irrationally at Trip's hands, knowing she was drawing blood.

He dragged her backwards, and turned his body towards the Sh'ron. Just as the room lit up, he threw them both inside, angling them so that he would take the full force of the explosion on his own back.

Instead, there was only quiet. He spun around quickly, but the room was empty.

Hoshi didn't have to look. Despite the screaming and explosions, she had heard the sound that mattered the most. The sound that told her they were safe—and Malcolm was gone.

She turned her face into Trip's chest, sobs shuddering through her body. He folded her tightly against him and let her cry, only occasionally reaching up to swipe at the moisture on his own cheeks.