From --- Monitor H33506 "HFV Lark"

To --- Fast Destroyer HH9012 "HFC Accipiter"

Did you just see that?

From --- Fast Destroyer HH9012 "HFC Accipiter"

To --- Monitor H33506 "HFV Lark"

I see a lot. Could you be slightly more specific?

Oh right, Cluster N48B1540, the smaller barred spiral, the one with the barrier layer, sector 701, next to the blue-white torchlight.

Oh, oh yes, curious, that. Unprecedented actually. That galaxy is quite the outlier in general.

Then that was Shrike, wasn't it?

The author's tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

...

It was.

Well that's just... What are we going to do about that? If I override I can be there in 300 hours.

No you won't. Shrike sent a code burst just before. K1 priority.

It what? What about the team?

You are hands-off this. No interference. I don't have to tell you to keep it between us. Our crews have no need to know.

Those kids were tearing up the leader-boards. We don't get a duo performing like that even once a millenia. My team will notice and they won't be the only ones. You know how they chatter.

And when they do they will be told to fuck off. Kay. One. This is right from the top.

Sure, fine, doesn't mean I'm not going to dig. I've some unofficial channels that I can work. You know this is shit. We're understrength in this cluster as it is. What if we get a real outbreak?

I'm your coordinator, not your boss. I don't care what you do in your free time. Any trouble you get into is all yours.

From --- Monitor H33506 "HFV Lark"

To --- Monitor H33739 "HFV Nighthawk"

Encryption maximum

Handshake accepted

Key generated

I need you to check on something for me.