The landing zone buzzed with activity as the landers settled into their assigned pads.
White and gold ships loomed overhead. Patrol crews moved with purpose.
And waiting for her—
A plump Longblood noble paced impatiently.
Fay stepped off the lander, Lyraen at her side.
"My beautiful Lady Bladefield, how I've missed you!" he sang, hurrying forward. "You really shouldn't trouble yourself with border defense."
He reached for her gloved hand, leaning in to kiss it.
"Please, join my household."
She withdrew immediately.
"Burnland," she said coldly. "I have work to do."
She moved past him.
The landing zone grew louder as another vessel crossed the membrane threshold.
A shadow cut across the deck.
Pale bone wings. Sickle-shaped.
A predator washed in sickly violet light.
Workers slowed. Some stopped entirely.
Burnland let out a sharp, panicked sound. "It's back— that thing—"
Heathen's landing shocks hit the deck with a solid, final thud.
The hatch hissed open.
Elias stepped out.
"Lady Bladefield," Burnland snapped, voice breaking, "what is the meaning of this?"
"He's an ally," Fay said, turning to face him.
"This is unacceptable! A Raven is bad enough, but a Pale Raven? You've brought a demon to our doorstep!"
"Enough."
Fay didn't raise her voice.
It still cut him off.
"We had an incident last cycle," Burnland pushed on. "A Pale Raven targeted one of my patrols—"
"I remember that," Elias said.
He didn't look at him.
"Speaking of which… where's the captain of the Wayfarer?"
Burnland turned, irritation flashing. "This doesn't concern you, Imperial dog—"
Elias looked at him.
Locked in.
"It does," he said quietly. "Especially if something's happened to him."
The air shifted.
Lyraen felt it immediately.
She'd seen it before—
In the station.
In the white room.
Three men down before they could scream.
That same stillness.
She adjusted her stance without thinking. Not drawing. Not yet.
Just ready.
Fay didn't look at Elias.
"Who are you holding?" she asked.
"The captain of a transport. Standard procedure—"
"Release him."
Burnland blinked. "Lady Bladefield, I must insist—"
Fay turned.
"Elias has my trust and respect," she said, voice level. "More than you, frankly."
A beat.
"Release the captain of the Wayfarer. Now."
Burnland hesitated—
Then folded.
"As you wish, my lady."
He turned and hurried off.
"Thanks, Fay."
Burnland stopped mid-step, head snapping around.
"What did he call you—?"
"Go."
Fay didn't raise her voice.
He went.
Elias watched him scurry off, issuing orders.
"Sorry about that," Fay said.
"No worries."
Elias and Fay sat in silence for a few uncomfortable seconds.
"Do you want your Spider rifle back? It's in the interceptor."
"Keep it."
"…Thanks."
Elias turned toward the metal outcroping at the end of the landing field.
Something felt off.
Like he'd stepped somewhere he wasn't supposed to.
"I'm going to find Mike."
"Wait."
Her voice stopped him.
"Give me your terminal contact."
Elias lifted his wrist.
Fay pulled her own from her belt and stepped closer.
A ping. A contact added.
"I'll see you around." Elias began walking.
"Don't die before then." Fay said giving a small wave.
"I'll try."
—
Elias found himself in the center of one of the colony's cities, at the office where he'd been told Mike was being held.
He neared the entrance just as a tired Mike stepped out.
"Thought I'd be the one looking for you," Mike said.
"Same here. You hurt?" Elias asked.
"I'm fine. Are you?"
"Nothing fatal. Got shot."
"The hell? I leave you alone for one day cycle—" Mike stopped, eyeing him. "What are you wearing? Do they sell that here?"
"I'm fine. It's armor. No, they don't sell it here. Let's go."
Elias gestured toward the bustling street, filled with banners, greenery, and commerce.
Mike followed without hesitation. He was ready to leave.
"So why were you in time out?" Elias asked as they walked along the tan stone street.
Sandstone buildings arched overhead, connecting across the road. Thorned flora draped between them, vibrant red petals cutting through the green and tan.
"My escort was a 'Pale Raven,' whatever that means," Mike said. "They asked a hundred questions. Didn't like my story about the grave field route."
"I can imagine. Sorry about the trouble."
Elias stopped at a food stall.
"Hey, that looks good," Mike said, already stepping closer.
"How much for two?" Elias asked.
The young woman behind the stall looked at him—then at the crest on his armor. Her pointed ears darkened slightly.
"It's already covered for you, sir," she said quietly.
"Let me pay."
"But you're a soldier of House Bladefield."
"I'm a mercenary they hired. Armor came with the job."
She shook her head, handing over the skewers anyway. "If Lady Bladefield gave you that armor, you're covered."
"If you say so. Thank you."
Elias took the skewers and handed one to Mike.
"So…" Mike said through a mouthful, "what was that?"
"I met a Longblood captain. Fay Bladefield. Worked a contract. Got the armor as a bonus."
Elias took a bite.
"And a spider rifle."
Mike choked.
"Fay Bladefield?"
"Yes."
"She governs this colony. And a few others, from what I heard." Mike said in disbielf.
"That explains the deep pockets," Elias said, finishing the skewer.
Mike smirked. "You found yourself a sugar mommy. Is she cute?"
"Shut up."
"C'mon. Details. This is the most you've talked about a woman."
Elias turned into a shop selling packed and dried broth.
"Two," he said.
"Thank you, sir," the shopkeeper replied warmly as Elias held out his teminal for payment.
"These people are a lot nicer to you than they are to me," Mike muttered.
"Don't haggle so much," Elias said as they stepped back out toward the street.
"I'm a merchant. It's my job." Mike nudged him. "And I'm pretty sure it's the stolen valor."
"Not stolen."
"Right. Hey—you didn't answer the question. What's she like?"
Elias kept walking toward where his interceptor waited.
"She's a little scary."