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‘I jest not. It’s either my way or the highway.’

In the end, Riv capitulated. He had no choice.

Élisa was adamant, and he was desperate for the truth and dead set on never letting her out of his sight again.

He gave Mirage a breakdown of Élisa’s demands. ‘Do as she says,’ he stated into his wrist comm while his alluring captor watched on.

He switched to the Riders’ neural network.

Be careful. Watch her with care and only give her basic-level access to the piloting chair and controls.

Of course,the A.I. intoned.

She can’t know who we are, let alone my real identity.

Sawa.

She also can’t know about yours, so change your name and voice.

This is fun,the Sable AI returned.Will any moniker do?

Naam. Could you pick one and tell me? Now, please, as she’s waiting for an answer.

Mirage chuckled.I know. Sasha. It’s my alter ego.

Fokk, you have an alter ego?

Sure do. I use it when going incognito around other A.I.s.

Riv suppressed the sudden desire to suck his teeth and shake his head.Fine by me.

He looked up at the woman he’d yearned for over two decades. ‘My A.I. is called Sasha, and they’re now across what you require. Wait for them to fly my craft to us and enact your plan.’

Élisa inclined her head once more. ‘I appreciate your cooperation. I’ll be back soon.’

She nodded and tracked out of the storage area.

Not before slapping a magnetized camera to the wall, flicking it on as she aimed it at him, and vanishing from sight.

He slumped onto the pallet, closed his eyes, and focused on his intent to reacquaint himself with this new version of his silver angel.

Riv flew off his feet and fell to the cell floor.

‘Freakin’ hell!’

Their flight was getting bumpy.

The turbulence threw Riv across his tiny prison, and he cursed at being unable to tap into his noids to stabilize himself.

His disguised boots had the best-inbuilt sensors in all of Pegasi, but he couldn’t use them, as they’d give him away.

His bounty hunter persona wouldn’t have access to Sable-level tech. So, he had to make do with downplaying his prowess.

Aware she was watching him on camera, Riv played the part of a nervous bondsman to a T, flailing with the chaos and pasting an outraged expression on his now-weathered face.

Further confirmation of her surveillance came when Élisa’s voice emanated through the ship’s intercom. ‘Hold on, Galician. I see you’re struggling. It’s going to improve after we traverse this storm-filled nebula.’

He grimaced as his noids sensed the release of massive amounts of energy. Bracing himself against one of the cell’s walls, he reached out to his unseen companion.