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Savvine’s heart sank as guilt hit. ‘Stronzo!So I’ve accused Xander of sleeping with the enemy when I was way off base?’

‘Well, we were flailing and angry asfokkat the time. We had to start somewhere with our investigating.’

Savvine sighed. ‘Hell, this means I have to ask Xander’s forgiveness.SanteAbby, but let cool heads prevail next time before we make baseless accusations. That includes me.’

‘On it, my friend, my apologies, won’t happen again.’

The two women smiled at each other, having already forgiven any missteps.

Savvine mulled Abby’s information as she dressed fast in combat-cut slacks, a tucked-in black shirt, and boots.

She had some grovelling to do.

With her hair up, a quick, light makeup job, and bags slung over her shoulder, she exited the cabin and strode to the glade, stepping into the flyer.

The flight through the Signet mother-ship was nothing short of surreal.

The deck wasn’t just a warship but a floating city of natural wonder, green parks, and curving roads.

Tower blocks, commercial districts, and housing tiers bloomed along its internal struts. Flyers buzzed beneath and above her route, their routes woven into a choreography of function and freedom.

She passed decks dedicated to education zones, hydroponic terraces, even a small amphitheater where children’s laughter filtered through open sonic shields.

A uniformed female attendant was waiting when she arrived at a landing pad next to a set of enormous doors.

She was young, perhaps in her mid-twenties.

Her dark curls were pulled back, and she had warm brown eyes and a tablet held to her chest.

‘Chief Bianchi?’ she said. ‘Welcome. Please call me Enya, I’ll escort you to the Signet war room.’

Savvine smiled. ‘Sante. Beautiful name by the way.’

Enya beamed. ‘It was my grandmother’s. This way.’

They walked into a corridor where matte walls gleamed with holograms of Signet’s past battles, alliances, and rebuilding projects.

In the offices and rooms they swung by, staff members bustled, working with seamless efficiency.

‘You’ve worked here long?’ Savvine asked.

‘Three years,’ Enya replied. ‘Since I arrived on the Signet.’

Savvine glanced over. ‘Where from?’

‘I came from a D’Amato ship that I had to flee in the middle of the night due to an unfortunate circumstance.’

‘I’m sorry.’

The younger woman shrugged. ‘Don’t be, I left behind a violent situation I never want to see again. This place saved me. I have a good job now. Solid healthcare. Free schooling for my two kids. A crew that looks out for me. Commander Roman says that on theSombra,everyone gets a second chance, but only if they work for it.’

Enya’s smile warmed again. ‘You can sense it here, you know? The safety and security?’

Savvine’s throat tightened a little.

She nodded and glanced away at the small touches of humanity embedded in the ship’s design: child-safe wall panels, communal seating nooks, play and lounge areas, and fully equipped med pods at regular intervals.

In time, they walked towards an airy, well-designed, and sleek office area bustling with people at their desks and multiple screens. ‘Welcome to the Executive Wing, and the war room. Next to the ship’s bridge.’