13
The bottom fell out of Anna’s stomach. It took a moment for the words she had just heard to sink in, but once they did, she felt like someone had sucked all the air out of the room. “All right,” she rasped. “We need to get the Nassai out of here. The Ragnosians will start bringing more troops through the Gate.”
“No,” Palamo interjected.
“You said they captured the SlipGate,” Jack chimed in.
“Yes, but they can’t open it.” Palamo started fidgeting, nervously dry-washing his hands as he tried to explain. “The Gate can only be unlocked with a valid security code, and the Ragnosians don’t have one.”
Gripping the edge of the table with both hands, Anna closed her eyes and hung her head. “You’re sure about that?” she asked in a rasping voice. “Absolutely sure?”
He nodded vigorously. “Yes
