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She helped with diagnostics on the water purification system and recalibrated it with Miral’s assistance.

She also purged the ship of all crat tech and repaired comms.

Santi, Boaz, and Kaal worked with Leiko, the security team, and the engineering crew to mend the battered dreadnought.

Savvine spent hours with Abby rewiring the network arrays and catching up with her best friend.

She visited Julia and her new niece, Nina, and hung out with Tati to give her sister and her husband some downtime.

Helena Bianchi was MIA throughout the sector until Miral found her and her entourage in a cruiser streaking toward Pegasi.

At Savvine’s request, Mak and Zev flew a Signet gunship to intercept them and reported their apprehension soon after.

The Syndicate Commission, with the blessing of the Bianchi Elders, sentenced her via a virtual courtroom to a minimum of 10 years in prison for her crimes in racketeering, kidnapping her son, drug manufacturing, conspiracy, and the illicit trade ofkoko.

Miral showed the news holo clip of the sentencing to Savvine one morning. ‘Helena’s going to love spending the rest of her days living among metas and shifters inSombra’sprison wing.’

‘Goodfokkin’riddance,’ Savvine murmured. ‘The fact that she kidnapped her son and stashed him in herkokodrug farm so she could take over the flotilla as freakin’ empress is unbelievable. Delusional.’

Later that day, Savvine also sat on a hastily assembled committee, including her father and the general, thatdetermined Eugene was not of sound mind and needed special care.

She reached out to Xander, and he offered a solution.

A day later, Eugene was shipped away in a hush to a Signet medical ship where a team of detox and rehab specialists waited to treat him.

With Eugene gone,Eterna’sresidents got a fireworks show, one in which Miral sent a missile from theÚltima Xinto the heart of theVeleno di Sogni.

The pleasure yacht exploded in spectacular fashion, lighting up the void to the cheers and claps of the Bianchi clan, watching through the observation dome on the ark ship.

Savvine lay on a cot that night and messaged Xander from her comm tab.

Savvine: Sante, baby, for your help with Eugene.

Xander: My fokkin’ pleasure. Still in bed. Santi tried to make me consume more regen paste. Twas a chewy, oily, gamey tangle of awful.

Savvine: You must eat whatever it takes to save your ass.

Xander: It insults my Spanish culinary lineage.

Savvine: You need to unlearn getting so offended.

Xander: FU, my love. How’s your mother?

Savvine: She is one stubborn woman. She attempted to help my sister, Julia, give birth with one good arm.

Xander: Now I know where you get your grit, mi cielo. How’s your new niece?

Savvine: She’s the cutest little cherub ever. I want one.

Xander: I’m ready to go. Tell me when and where.

She smiled at the small glowing screen in the dark.

Savvine: I miss you, handsome.

Xander: I miss you more. Come back soon. The bed’s colder than usual. It’s scented with you, and it’s driving me wild.

Savvine: Always so savage.