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“Lieutenant Tolvex said you would brief me on our mission.”

“There is at least one traitor onboard the Invictus working with a noble from the home world to sabotage the king’s efforts of a treaty with the humans.

Healer Rivezt needed to put Lady Talia into an induced coma when someone switched out one of the uploads for the females.

You know about Lady Talia and Lady Emmy being poisoned and Lady Emmy’s experience with the tripwire.

When they kidnapped Lady Talia on Theron, they injected her with a virus that kills human female and Svesti male fertility. ”

“So that’s why she and the Commander sequestered themselves on the Intrepid. Not PTSD like we were told.” Grulen’s jaw hardened.

“Yes. While they were there, the traitor attempted to port Lady Talia to the Invictus , then the other human females to the Intrepid , as well as used mind control on Mantoor to have him attack Commander Durek. We believe the traitor wanted to infect the other human females. Fortunately, Rivezt developed a vaccine with the aid of Ladies Natasha and Lin and inoculated everyone onboard.”

“The one we were told was for a flu virus.” Grulen’s forehead furrowed. “But why would the traitors work to kill Svesti male fertility?”

“We believe the traitors are unaware of that aspect of the virus. It seems the noble made some sort of deal with the Zuvgran for the virus.”

“Have there been other incidents?”

“Yes. Lady Lin almost fell from a sabotaged ladder in aquiponics and was also gassed in her lab. We suspect the oven explosion was meant for Lady Ava. Fortunately, she wasn’t in the kitchen at the time.”

“How can any Svesti try to harm females?” Grulen growled and his tail whipped furiously behind him. “Or work with the Zuvgran?”

“I don’t know, Jevax.” Wurvez sighed. “The engine signature is for a Frezzian freighter we believe has been visiting Zuvgran labs with supplies.”

“Do we think the Frezzians are working with the traitors?”

Wurvez’s ponytail brushed his shoulders as he shook his head.

“It’s possible, but I doubt it. It’s more likely the Frezzians are just dropping off food for the Zuvgran.”

“I’m not sure I see the connection between the freighter and the traitors.”

“We suspected these Frezzians supplied the lab on XB9428B before the Durelians delivered Lady Talia to the Zuvgran lab there. The scientists who injected her made comments about a Svesti noble working with them. The freighter may only lead us to other labs, but we can’t discount the possibility we may find additional information about the traitors. Either way, we increase our knowledge.”

“What are our orders when we find the Frezzians?”

“Follow them discreetly and attempt to get into their computers. If we aren’t able to gather sufficient intel that way, then we can always capture one of them and interrogate them.”

Grulen nodded, then tapped the console. “We’re automatically scanning for the engine signature, and I’ve set it to alert us throughout the ship if we find it before we reach its last known position.”

“How long until we get there?”

“Seven hours.”

Wurvez released his safety restraints and stood.

“Let’s go check where Devik stowed everything.”

“As you command.”

Grulen looked out into space from his cockpit seat during his twelve-hour shift. Wurvez should be showing up soon for our four-hour overlap. Speak of the irrepressible male. Here he is.

Wurvez dropped snacks and water pouches on the console. Grulen grabbed a water pouch and some green crackers.

“Thanks. I can always count on you to have food.” Grulen grinned.

“We’re growing males. Need to keep us fueled.” Wurvez waggled his eyebrows. “Anything new?”

“It’s taken us five days, but we are finally receiving a constant signal from the freighter’s engine signature.” Grulen tapped the console and a holographic image appeared above it. “See?”

Wurvez perused the map and the location of the freighter.

“It appears it’s going to Praxis. How long until we catch up?”

“I’d say less than a day and we’ll be in a good position to follow it cloaked.”

“Excellent. I was afraid I’d have an eternity with only you for company.”

“That would’ve been a fate worse than death.” Grulen leered.

“Not quite that bad.” Wurvez sat back and nibbled on a cracker. “Why have you never moved up in the ranks? You’re more than capable of leading your own team, Jevax.”

“I’m happy as I am.”

“Perhaps a change to security would suit you. You have an excellent cross-section of skills that would work to your advantage. Devik mentioned he may need to form additional teams to protect the females.”

“Why the interest in my career?”

“You’re a good male with a great deal of the competence and experience preferred in the higher ranks.” Wurvez laughed. “Besides, I’m bored and you’re the only one here to annoy.”

“Perhaps I should channel the Commander and spar with you to make my case.”

Wurvez slapped Grulen’s shoulder.

“See? That’s what I mean. If Durek can become commander of our flagship, you certainly can aspire higher.”

“Respectfully, sir, you are a naroon .” Grulen laughed and tossed a water pouch at Karid.

“Honesty—another admirable trait for an officer to have. You just keep proving me right.”