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Admiral Lucian Rhye was not a man who indulged in pleasantries.

He was tall, broad, and severe, with silver fox energy.

His uniform, black with metallic detailing, was above par, and his cybernetic eyes scanned data even as he turned to regard them.

The expansive viewport behind him displayed the stunning, swirling blues and purples of Alloria Prime’s atmosphere, the planet’s endless jungles, and misty peaks stretching below.

A beautiful world. A dangerous one.

Rhye didn’t waste time.

He clasped his hands at his back and leveled them with a look that could melt dura-steel.

‘Sable, Elaris.’

His voice was throaty, grave, and clipped.

‘We have a problem.’

In that instant, Issa wondered if her secrets were about to catch up with her.

6

Glimmering Wraiths

ISSA

The admiral clipped in a taut tone. ‘We have a diplomatic row unfolding.’

Issa exhaled in relief.

Not her shit in the shitter, then.

She had no more time to muse on her chances at navigating Ki’Remi’s hunt for the truth because her boss’s boss cleared his throat, his face tight, lips pursed.

‘Look lively, you two. We’ve got an inquisition to get through.’

Admiral Rhye wasn’t prone to dramatics, which made his growled delivery even more unnerving.

He turned, motioning with a stiff nod and wave, as a live holo-stream flickered into existence before them.

A group of men and women crowded the projection, their distinct facial features marking them Allorians.

Issa recognized them from a briefing file on the tribes of the planet biome.

Cloaked in indigo, their robes were embroidered with silver and gold insignia, the patterns representing their place in the tribe, lineage, and unbreakable will.

This was now expressed in the faces of the group as if carved from stone, their glowing violet eyes filled with thinly veiled fury as they assessed the trio in front of them with cold hostility.

This was not starting well.

‘Greetings, Elders of Lothakin,’ the Admiral intoned with a short bow of respect.

He launched into introductions. ‘May I present Ki’Remi Sable, the ship’s Head Surgeon, and Issa Elaris, his second surgical assistant in charge? Both doctors operated on Zera.’

One of the seniors stepped forward, his heavy silver collar catching the glow of the transmission field.

His wrinkled face and hardened gaze encapsulated his displeasure.