Outside, a pitched battle raged. Pinpricks of light from spacecraft engines glimmered like phosphenes, explosions created new short-lived stars. Sera had seen the Arion’s dark mode in action, and she knew there was little chance of being spotted, but the battle was still far too close for her comfort. Sera shifted uncomfortably in her seat.

“Now what?”

“Now we wait.” Sabian turned on the Arion’s passive scanners, stood up and took an iron ration pack from the storage locker. “And talk, about what we are going to do once my contract with you ends.”

Sera had been afraid of that.

“I don’t know what happened there.” Sera rubbed a nervous hand on her thigh. “Let’s get Xane Mori, and then we will talk. I promise.&rd...

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