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Inside, though, he was a mess. His heart pounded, and his mind raced, battling the squall in his soul that threatened to surge and detonate all over Neron N13.

Muttering a curse, he mulled on what he’d learned, fixating on the bartender’s revelation.

All thoughts of trailing Ankis had long flown out of Riv’s mind.

The only one that remained was that he was closer to his one pursuit for the first time in decades. It almost had him sinking to the ground.

Getting this far had been an agonizing, ne’er ending and winding journey.

One where his heart lurched for years in his chest, broken into pieces that would only heal when he found whom he sought.

He slipped into an alleyway and bent over at the knees, gulping deep breaths.

Riv, what’s wrong?Mirage said.I’m sensing an alarming elevation in your heart rate. Are you safe?

There was a short silence as the Rider fought for control.

Riv?

He managed to reply through a fog of deep, bitter pain. Naam, I just had a breakthrough.

With our inquiries on Ankis?

Nada. Élisa.

Mirage paused for a moment.Are you certain?

The AI sounded stunned.

Riv gave a laugh scrubbed of all humor. One mired in disbelief and agony.Sure as shootin’. The publican of The Righteous Pegasus knows of her. She reacted when I showed her Élisa’s holo. Please find out everything you can about that place, its owner Halima, and the Ccyth guard at the door, who is her lover or partner. Tap into their systems, and get me as much of their cam feeds as possible. That woman is an acquaintance of Élisa’s, and I plan to find out how.

I’ll get started now.

Sante. I’ll ask around more and return to the ship when I can.

Noted.

Riv stalked through Neron N13’s central marketplace.

He sidled between merchant stores and hawker stalls, making discreet inquiries.

None yielded the same response he’d had with Halima.

He took extra care not to stand out like he had at the bar, reminding himself that caution was his calling card, crafting his disguise to exude an air of complete inconspicuousness.

He knew it worked. Most people were unable to identify him minutes after he left their presence.

He tried several pawn shops and vendors. No leads, however, were forthcoming.

Until he eventually got a hit at a food stall.

Its owner, a burly, cheerful Rhesian grocer, stirred at the face on his holo display.

‘She looks familiar, like a woman who stops by every few months to refuel and stock up. I can’t be sure. She cloaks well, maintains a private Sys-ID, and keeps to herself.’

Riv’s heart rate picked up. ‘She a local?’

The man waggled his many chins. ‘Nada. She’s got some ship. I think she always gets my bots to deliver to her. She’s careful, though. She always adds extra to wipe its memory when it’s done. It’s a service I offer my customers, which pays in spades.’