As Tori and Gabe told them about the warning from the other ship, Lu had trouble believing it. How could the frail old man slurping noodles in front of her like he’d never seen food before be part of a plot to destroy their whole civilization?

Lu wasn’t even sure how to start asking about it, though she felt they should.

Brian didn’t seem to have any of the same problems. He filled up a water tumbler, brought it over to Mr. Gao, and plopped down into the seat next to him. “So, your ship’s telling us it’s rigged to explode the second it gets close enough to Hope to do fatal and permanent damage. Want to explain?”

Mr. Gao choked on his drink. Brian watched with a concerned expression but did nothing as the old man coughed and sputtered....

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