“Who took you in?” Thorne asked, mind reeling with questions and struggling to keep up with everything she’d missed in the last few days.
“Some ass named Werner,” Ellenton said with a shrug.
“Things are changing, and very much not for the better,” Dawson grunted.
“How deep does this sentiment run?” Thorne asked, mind filling with more questions by the minute. She’d expected Moran would have labeled her a traitor and figured some wardens would find that suspicious, but it seemed like things were considerably farther along than that. Not to mention the Party acting against their own laws, taking in anyone even suspected of something illegal. Since learning Werner and Moran’s true nature she knew such things were possible, but even then, they’d been subtle. Kept quiet.
And what was the deal with these jumped-up officers? The whole thing sounded like a takeover of the Corps. No doubt these new ‘officers’ were people like Werner, loyal to Moran and actively serving the interests of his shadow government.
“I couldn’t say for certain how many others share our point of view,” Dawson said. “Few are willing to speak out of turn, what with the purges and all.”
Purges? What?
“Oh yeah, that,” Ellenton said. “Speak out against Tarsin or the goons like him and you’ll find yourself reassigned. Or that’s what they’re calling it. Far as we can see, anyone that steps out of line logs off and doesn’t log back on.” The implication hung in the air, all the more worrying for its ambiguity.
“Moran caused this divide,” Dawson said. “He made it clear. You’re with him or you’re against him. When given the choice between him or you, well.” Dawson stood up a bit straighter. “That was hardly a choice at all.”
“I’m... honored,” Thorne said, the words catching a bit in her throat. “And seriously concerned. Don’t get me wrong, I couldn’t be happier to have you two with me, but do you understand how bad this could be for you? This goes beyond Nova. Beyond the Warden Corps. You need to protect yourselves. Need to hide. Moran is powerful in the Party. More powerful than I thought possible. He will send people after you. He will—”
“Yeah, yeah. We’re aware of that,” Ellenton said with a dismissive wave, her tone of voice entirely too unconcerned. “But this isn’t just about Nova. Word on the street is that whatever Kaiden, Zelda, and Titus stole, it was big. Big enough to cause a bit of a scene if it got out.”
Thorne found herself nodding at that.
“That’s, uh, putting it gently.”
“So you’ve seen them, then? The files they took?” Dawson stepped forward. “Is it as bad as the rumors say it is?”
Thorne nodded. “Worse. What they’re trying to expose would change everything. And, as far as I can tell, for the better. I hadn’t realized how bad things were. Hadn’t realized Moran and those working with him had deceived all of us.”
Dawson sighed at that. Ellenton gave a sad sort of laugh.
“Dawson,” she said. “I told you, didn’t I? Way back when. I said I thought something was wrong. Said too many things weren’t adding up.”
He nodded at that, a sad, slow sort of nod. “I didn’t want to believe it then. Hell, I don’t want to believe it now.” He looked up at Thorne. “But if you’re saying this is real, this is the point we’re at? Then I believe you. And I’m ready to do what I can to make it right.”
“We’re ready,” Ellenton corrected him. “As evidenced by the fact that we just sent a superior officer and a bunch of fellow wardens to respawn,” she said with a disbelieving chuckle. “Whoo, boy. We’re in a heap of trouble.”
“You really are,” Thorne said. “Look, if you’re with me on this, I am eternally grateful. But you’re no use to anyone if Moran’s goons find you. You have to get somewhere safe. Somewhere hidden.”
“We didn’t exactly wing this, you know,” Ellenton said, too casual as always. Sounded more like she was talking about having planned a party than attacking her own government.
“We have a plan to get hidden,” Dawson explained. “Everything’s ready for us to disappear. We just needed confirmation what we were doing was right. And you’re telling us it is?”
“I am,” Thorne said, praying she wasn’t ruining their lives. She’d chosen to walk this path herself, but she hadn’t expected anyone else to follow. Definitely hadn’t expected to lead them into it.
“Then that’s that.” Ellenton stood up from the pilot's seat. “You’re working with Kaiden and the others, yeah?”
Thorne nodded.
“Take the shuttle, then. Group up with them.” She left the cockpit and slapped Dawson on the shoulder. “Sarge and I will take care of ourselves in the real world. Once we’re settled, we’ll be in contact, yeah?”
Dawson gave a firm nod, then logged off.
Ellenton watched him disappear, then looked back at Thorne.
“Oh, and Captain? Be gentle with my baby. She’s a good shuttle.” With that, she logged out.
Thorne was left alone in the Borrelly, thoughts spinning to make sense of everything that had just happened.
“I hope you know what you’re doing,” she said to herself. “Because your life isn’t the only one on the line now.”
Chapter Ten
A burst of light exploded from Kaiden’s shield as he used Flash Bang.
Ability: Flash Bang
Discharge an intense light from your shield that blinds opponents within 10 feet for 5 seconds. Has a 3-second cast time.
Cost: 25 charge
Cooldown: 5 minutes
The pirates closest to him stumbled backwards, hands over their now burning eyes.
No time to waste.
Kaiden darted in and brought his hammer down on the first of them. His first attack missed the headshot he was aiming for, but the aim
