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Fiona nudged me. “Then tell us.”

There were parts of the rescue I wasn't ready to share, like the kiss in the darkness, the way Tivek had shielded me during our escape, or how his hand had found mine again and again. But there was a lot I could share.

I told them how Tivek and I had been split from the group, how we'd discovered the others had been captured, finding that Sasha and Deklyn had already escaped, evading the Kronock they’d knocked out, and finally the arduous trek to Deklyn’s ship after losing the group again.

"And then you and Tivek got separated again?" Fiona asked, one eyebrow raised.

"It was just for a little while," I said, trying to sound casual even as heat crept into my face. “Then we fell into a pit.”

“A pit?” Jess gaped at me. “How are you still here?”

I shrugged. “Luck?”

But it hadn’t been luck. Again and again, Tivek had saved me. I stole another glance at him, standing tall and composed as he spoke to the admiral. My pulse quickened, and I forced myself to return my attention to my friends, more specifically Britta.

“Tell me more about you and Kann and what happened in that holosimulation.”

Chapter

Thirty-One

Tivek

Admiral Zoran’s face was set in the mask of concentration I'd seen countless times during intelligence briefings. We stood in the cockpit of the rescue ship, the nebula's strange light filtering through the viewports and casting pastel shadows across the consoles.

Volten checked the ship’s readings, then glanced toward the door. "If you'll excuse me, Admiral. I should check on Ariana and the, um, ship's status."

Zoran waved his half-brother off with a quirked smile. “Check on your mate, Lieutenant.”

As Volten slipped out, I found myself studying my brother. The bruises on his face were already fading, testament to his Drexian healing, but there was a new wariness in his eyes that spoke of his time in Kronock hands.

"How many guards were stationed at the facility?" Zoran asked, bringing my attention back to the debriefing.

"Fewer than expected," Deklyn replied. "I counted perhaps sixty of the creatures total, with only fifteen dedicated to prisoner control. The rest were technicians, communications officers, and what appeared to be scientists."

I arched an eyebrow. "Scientists?"

Deklyn nodded grimly. "They took blood from both me and Sas…the human female.”

The temperature in the room seemed to drop several degrees. This would not be the first time our enemies had studied us or humans. I was abundantly aware that they’d kidnapped a tribute bride in an attempt to extract genetic material. Not to mention the Drexian they’d abducted and implanted with Kronock DNA. I cringed as I remembered the reports I’d studied.

“Did you observe where they were keeping their research?" Zoran asked.

“Upper levels. Guarded, but not impenetrable." Deklyn's eyes gleamed with the challenge. "With a team of Inferno Force operatives, we could extract the data and destroy the facility."

“It looks like you took steps to damage it already.”

Deklyn’s eyes flashed. “Not enough.”

I cleared my throat. "There's more, Admiral." Both Drexians turned to me. "While Morgan and I were hiding from patrols, we overheard two Kronock discussing their fleet strength. They’re more damaged than we thought.”

A satisfied smile spread across Zoran's face. "This confirms what our operatives have suggested." He turned to Deklyn. "And explains why you were able to break out with relative ease. They're stretched thin."

Deklyn snorted. "I wouldn't call it 'ease,' but yes, their security protocols were lax.”

The admiral's gaze shifted between us, a calculating look I knew well. "This information could shift the balance of power significantly. Well done, both of you."

Deklyn suddenly turned to me, curiosity evident in his expression. "I still don't understand why you were on this mission, brother. Not that I’m not glad to see you.”