It was her.

Bray’s breath caught in his chest. He tried to walk past them as they made their way down the hall without betraying his agitation. The shadows from the after-hour dimmed lights made it hard to make out who she was, but another glance was enough to make his fingers grow cold.

A few meters on, he turned to follow them. Since he didn’t have any excuse for why he would be going that way when he was supposed to be going back to his barracks, he made sure to keep a long distance between them and himself.

He noted the room they entered, then found a dark corner down a short hall. He needed some time to think.

If he didn’t get back to barracks, he’d have to explain himself.

But this was too important to wait. This was the only reason he’d been put on the planet.

He’d have to find a way to get the word out.

Bray made his way over to one of the communication centers. He chose one out on the peripherals of the base. It was a quiet night. With any luck, there wouldn’t be too many people there.

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There were only two—a man and a woman.

“Yes, Private?” she asked as he entered the room. “Do you need something?”

The man looked up at him.

“The general had a question.” Bray was glad his voice sounded so casual. He walked over to them.

“General Ito?” the man asked.

Bray drew his knife and stabbed him in the back of his neck. Before the woman could react, he yanked the knife out, stepped behind her, and with a hand over her mouth, he pushed the blade up into her ribs.

It took longer for her to die, but when she did, he let her fall away.

He cleaned his knife before putting it back, smiling as he remembered how much his sergeant had emphasized this habit in training. He moved the bodies out of the way and took the collar insignia from the woman to replace his own. It wasn’t much of a promotion, but at least it wouldn’t be obvious at first glance that he wasn’t meant to be there.

He went over to a com-station and woke up the machine. A few taps on the screen, then he ran into Ciro Vas’s security systems.

He cursed the young man soundly under his breath.

It was a long hour of work, with many nervous glances at the open doorway, before Bray was able to unlock a channel. He called up the emergency number he’d been given years ago and waited.

There were several clicks, then a voice said, “Report.”

“This is Private Bray on Home Base. I’ve found her. She’s here. Right now.”