Chapter 540: Before the Passage

The alien prisoner studied the map of the transport vessel while the red lights continued flashing around them.

"The primary energy chamber is six levels above us, but the direct passage will be heavily guarded. If we use the maintenance corridors, we might avoid most of the soldiers."

Vanish looked at the narrow openings shown on the map before asking, "Are those corridors large enough for humans?"

"They were designed for repair units, not living creatures. You could fit, but you would have to crawl through some sections."

Sonny glanced at Lu Zhen’s injured back. "Crawling through a metal tunnel would reopen his wounds."

Lu Zhen did not appear concerned. "We will use the direct passage."

The prisoner stared at him in disbelief. "Did you miss the part where I said it would be heavily guarded?"

"No, I heard you clearly. If the soldiers are guarding the direct passage, we will know where they are instead of allowing them to surround us inside the maintenance system."

Leng Pan nodded as she examined the vessel’s layout. "It would also be difficult to use our abilities in those narrow corridors. We could become trapped if they released gas or sealed both ends."

The prisoner moved his gaze between them. "You both speak as if fighting an entire security force is the safer option."

"It might not be safer," Leng Pan replied, "but it gives us more control."

Lu Zhen looked at Vanish and Sonny before pointing at a route leading toward the rear of the vessel. "You will take the prisoner to the engine section. Damage the propulsion system enough to stop the ship before it reaches Tayi City, but do not destroy it completely while we are still in the air."

Vanish glanced at the map. "What happens if the guards notice us before we reach the engines?"

"Disappear."

"I cannot remain invisible while carrying two people."

Sonny placed one hand on the prisoner’s shoulder and smiled. "You only need to disappear with him. I can keep up."

The prisoner immediately shook his head. "You cannot expect me to run through a military transport vessel while the security system is trying to kill us."

Sonny’s smile widened. "You might be surprised by how quickly fear can make you run."

Little Vine lifted a tendril toward the prisoner as if offering additional motivation.

He looked at the plant and reluctantly agreed. "I will run."

Vanish opened the recovery chamber door slightly and checked the corridor. When no soldiers appeared, he pulled the prisoner outside while Sonny followed them.

Leng Pan waited until their footsteps disappeared before closing the door again.

She turned toward Lu Zhen and reached for the hem of his shirt.

He caught her wrist. "What are you doing?"

"I am checking whether your wounds opened while we were moving."

"You wrapped them well. They are fine."

"You also said they were minor before I found pieces of metal buried in your back, so your opinion is no longer reliable."

Lu Zhen released her wrist and allowed her to lift his shirt. "My wife has become very strict."

"My husband has become too comfortable with being injured."

Leng Pan checked the bandages and found a small patch of blood near his shoulder. Her brows pulled together as she placed her palm over it and used spiritual spring water to clean the wound.

Lu Zhen watched her face before saying, "If you continue looking at me like that, I might start believing I am seriously injured."

"You are seriously injured. You are simply too stubborn to admit it because you want to fight the aliens."

"I want to take you home. Fighting the aliens is only part of that."

Her movements slowed.

Lu Zhen brushed a loose strand of hair away from her cheek and continued, "When the anchor blocked your space and the countdown reached one, I thought I would lose you. If protecting you left a few wounds on my back, I would still consider that a good outcome."

Leng Pan finished adjusting the bandage before resting her hands against his chest. "Do you know what I thought when I saw the wounds?"

"What did you think?"

"I thought that if you had died while protecting me, I would never forgive you. Then I realized I would not have enough time to remain angry because I would probably follow you."

Lu Zhen’s expression changed. His arm circled her waist as he pulled her closer. "Do not say that. If something ever happens to me, you will survive and take care of our family."

"You are allowed to imagine sacrificing yourself, but I am not allowed to imagine living without you?"

"I do not imagine it. I prepare for every possibility."

"Then you should prepare for the possibility that your wife loves you too much to calmly accept your death."

Lu Zhen looked into her eyes for several seconds. "What would you like me to promise?"

"Promise that you will try as hard to protect your own life as you try to protect mine. Do not decide that your life is the easier one to sacrifice simply because I have the larger space."

He lowered his head and touched his forehead to hers. "I promise I will return with you, but you must make the same promise. No disappearing into your space alone to fight an alien gate while I wait outside wondering whether I will ever see you again."

Leng Pan’s lips curved into a faint smile. "I promise. However, if you keep holding me this closely, we might still be here when the vessel enters the Passage."

"I am considering whether destroying the ship is more important than collecting the kiss you promised earlier."

"You already collected one."

"That was before you treated my injuries. I believe the patient deserves another."

Leng Pan wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him slowly. Unlike the desperate kiss after the explosion, this one carried warmth and reassurance.

When she finally moved back, Lu Zhen followed her lips for a moment before reluctantly releasing her.