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My spine stiffened as dread steeled it. "Report."

"The first rescue ship—" he paused, fighting to regulate his breathing. "It's gone down, sir. Damaged by some kind of mine field in Kronock territory. They've crash-landed on the planet's surface."

Noora's hand tightened around mine, a small sound escaping her lips. My mind raced through the implications. Vyk, my security chief. Ariana, one of our finest pilots. Cadets Morgan and Torq, both exceptional but untested in true combat scenarios.

And Tivek. My adjunct. My friend. A most valued Shadow operative.

"How long ago?" I demanded.

"The transmission came through moments ago, sir. Automatically routed through our secure channels."

Already too long. Every moment they remained stranded on a Kronock-controlled world decreased their chances of survival.

I turned to Noora, not bothering to mask the intent in my eyes. "The backup rescue ship has just become a second rescue mission," I told her, already unfastening the ceremonial cloak of my rank. "And I will be joining them."

She didn't protest and didn't waste time with useless arguments about my position or responsibilities. Instead, she pulled me into a fierce embrace, her lips close to my ear.

"Bring them home," she whispered, “and yourself, Admiral. That’s an order.”

I kissed her fiercely. “Understood.”

"Have my battle gear sent to the shipyard," I ordered Lieutenant Urex, who snapped to attention with renewed vigor. "And inform Lieutenant Volten that I will be assuming command of this mission."

I ran down the wide stone steps, each step taking me closer to treason but closer to my colleagues and friend. It was an exchange I would make any day.

Chapter

Eight

Morgan

Cold shock seized my body as I plunged into the frigid water, the murky liquid rising up to my waist in an instant. Only Tivek's firm grip on my hand kept me from sinking deeper into the marsh. He pulled steadily, his strength surprising as he guided me toward what passed for solid ground.

I crawled onto the bank, my breathing ragged in the thin atmosphere. The environmental suit had done its job by keeping me dry despite the full submersion. Its temperature regulation worked too, as my body returned to a normal temperature while my exposed face burned with cold. Each exhale created clouds of condensation that evaoporated into the icy air.

“Don’t exert yourself,” Tivek murmured beside me. "The air's thin here. Take short, measured breaths."

I nodded, focusing on controlling my breathing as I scanned our surroundings. The landscape was bleak with mist rising from the marsh and obscuring visibility.

“Where are the others?" I whispered, seeing no sign of our companions.

A disembodied head appeared through the mist, and I shrieked before I could stop myself. Ariana's face, suspended in midair, broke into laughter.

"Sorry. Forgot to warn you about the cloaking."

Understanding dawned as I glanced down at my own body, or where my body should have been. The environmental suit's camouflage function had activated, rendering me nearly invisible against the alien backdrop. Though I could feel Tivek's hand still holding mine, I couldn't see either of our arms.

"Over here," came Vyk's gruff voice from what appeared to be empty space to our left.

As my eyes adjusted, I could make out the subtle distortions that revealed his position and the ripples in the air where the suits' active camouflage didn't quite match the background.

Vyk and Tori’s floating heads weren't looking at us, though. Their attention was fixed on something behind me. I turned and watched in horrified fascination as our ship, and only means of escape, sank deeper into the murky water. The sleek black hull disappeared inch by inch until only the nose remained visible.

I tried not to panic, but we were now stranded on a hostile planet with no transport, limited supplies, potentially surrounded by enemies, and with no guarantee of rescue. It didn’t look good.

I shook my head and forced aside the spiral of doom projections. We were alive. That was step one. Now we needed solutions, not worst-case scenarios.

"Well, that settles it," Vyk muttered, his voice tight with controlled anger. “No one is staying behind with the ship now."