A possibility that wasn't completely out of the question, considering the Movement warship that had somehow found them. Aiden turned to Ali. “How fast can you get us a rift out of here?”
His companion was opening her mouth to answer when the lights in the bridge abruptly flickered. Then, as the result of an obviously successful hacking attempt, the main display shifted from a view of the system to show a plain, severe-looking woman staring at him with the intent curiosity of a bird looking at a worm.
Chapter Six
Too Good to Refuse
The Dormant had been mulling over her failure to slip away from the gunner, unable to report in or erase evidence of her past life from the spaceport.
Although to be fair, with them fleeing the station thanks to the Vindicator's sudden arrival, the latter hadn't really been necessary. And if the task force ship knew the Last Stand was here and was hunting them, the former wasn't quite as necessary, either.
Maybe it was a lapse of concentration, or maybe because she'd been in the midst of receding fully and letting the Blank Slate back in total control, probably for a while this time. Either way, she slipped up and showed a flash of recognition at the woman who'd apparently hacked the ship's computers and was now on the main display.
Recognition, and fear. Would the woman recognize her? But no, she was still in her disguise, and the woman's eyes were fixed intently on the captain. The bigger risk was that the cyber intruder would see something in Lana's expression that would make her take an interest, if she didn't control her reactions better.
Or one of her crew mates, for that matter. The gunner in particular.
Thankfully, nobody noticed because they were all staring at the unexpected caller as well. The Dormant quickly finished receding, although in the background she calculated how this unexpected event would present opportunities, or obstacles, to her mission in the future.
Lana jumped in surprise at the figure that suddenly loomed on the main display, and she wasn't the only one; was this the captain of the Vindicator, calling to gloat about discovering their presence all the way in Iglis galaxy? Except hadn't it been a man last time they'd run into this ship?
Even Aiden looked shocked for a moment, before recovering his composure and shooting Ali a disapproving look. The companion returned it with one of chagrin, then raised an eyebrow as if asking whether he wanted her to counter what was clearly a security breach. The captain shook his head slightly in response.
All that happened in a moment, and then the intruder on the display spoke. “Captain Thorne, it is you! Even under that convincing disguise, I'd recognize you anywhere. How delightful to see you again!”
In spite of her words, the stranger didn't appear delighted. She was slightly plain, made more so by stern, even severe features, with reddish-brown hair pulled back in a tight bun and a military cut to the ship's uniform she wore. Most odd of all, she appeared to be seated comfortably on nothing in what looked to be empty space, an endless expanse of stars all around her.
Lana glanced questioningly at Dax, who mouthed “full immersion” before turning wary eyes back to the main display. Did that mean the woman was talking to them from inside the allnet? It probably meant she didn't have anything to do with the Vindicator, or at least wasn't on the ship.
Aiden seemed to be thinking the same thing as he cautiously replied. “You're . . . not who I expected to be calling.”
The woman arched a cool eyebrow; she didn't seem like the type who appreciated banter. And even more concerning, she acted as if she was powerful or dangerous enough that people didn't attempt it with her often. “You were expecting someone else to hack into your ship's computer and greet you in a new galaxy, when you're infamous for never leaving the one you operate in and no one should be expecting you here?”
Before the captain could answer, the unexpected caller gave a thin, humorless smile and continued. “Unless you mean that other light cruiser, part of the task force assigned to hunt you, that just jumped into the system. I can see why you'd be skittish about them, hence your sudden departure in the other direction.”
Lana jumped again. How much did this woman know? And why did she know it? How?
Even Aiden appeared flustered by what the woman was capable of. In spite of that, he rallied and assumed his most charming smile. “Let's say I was skittish,” he said. “Would you say I have cause to be?”
“Of the Vindicator chasing you?” The plain woman snorted. “Believe it or not, them stumbling across you in Iglis galaxy is a complete coincidence. They were here for other purposes, first on a delivery mission and now being passed around for various minor tasks, so the leader of their task force can score some favors with other Fleet brass.”
Lana couldn't help but exhale sharply in relief, flushing when the woman glanced at her curiously before dismissing her, sharp eyes returning to the captain.
Aiden also looked relieved. “That's an unusual turn of good luck for us.” He abruptly clapped his hands, leaning forward warmly. “But my apologies, this is no way to begin a reunion with an old friend. What a pleasant surprise to see you, Elyssa!”
The woman, Elyssa apparently, laughed, and that at least seemed genuine. “A surprise at least, no doubt. But imagine how I feel, responding to expensive intel about the most ridiculous thing . . . a possible sighting of a ship notorious for never leaving its stomping grounds, suddenly appearing in my little galaxy.”
The captain tensed slightly. “Intel?”
“Yes.” The plain woman sighed. “A source I'm afraid I'm going to have to eliminate, before he blabs to anyone else about you. Although to be honest, he seemed like he barely believed
