Chapter 14
Dash lay slumped in his seat, only the straps keeping him in place. He was dazed, possibly concussed. Every part of his body seemed to be bruised. The metallic taste of blood and sharp pain told him he’d bitten his cheek despite his best efforts. It felt like several of his ribs were broken.
Everything considered, he’d got off quite lightly. The shuttle’s seat and safety webbing were designed to cope with rough landings, but the forces he’d been subjected to would rip the small craft apart during touchdown. As the acrobatics got steadily worse Dash had just closed his eyes and tried to relax, certain something would give way any second and he’d be crushed.
It hadn’t happened. Somehow everything had stayed in place, despite some ominous creaking. Even when the Wanderer
