May 28, 2361 AIA

Rising’s Home Base

The stealth ship homed into the emergency messenger. It was Rising make, but there was no message attached, and it was kilometers away from the assault. The ship took a wide path away from the battle to get to the messenger’s coordinates.

There were two figures in the lee of a large overhang, right next to a passable landing spot.

Major Tennama ordered the pilot to take them down.

One of the figures was standing, waiting for him, as the ramp lowered.

Tennama drew his e-pistol. “I don’t know you.”

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“I know you, Major Tennama. Bray sent me.”

Tennama didn’t move.

“Right before he died.”

The major looked from the man to the figure laying behind him, then slowly lowered his weapon. “I see.”

“The circumstances made it unavoidable.”

“To what are you referring? You being here like this? Or the loss of Sergeant Reyer?”

“You know?”

“She’s certainly not here with you! A general message was sent out long before we got here, allegedly from Captain Vas, saying that he was taking her off planet. Is that true?”

“Yes.”

“That is…lamentable. Do you have any idea where she’s going?”

“No. All I know is that she’s being guarded. Probably by the man piloting that ship.”

The sound of a distant explosion drew their attention.

Tennama motioned with a flick of his hand. “Come. Let’s go. It’s unnecessarily dangerous to stay here, and there’s nothing on this planet that we want anymore.”

“What should I do with the body?”

“Leave it.”

“Wouldn’t that be dangerous?”

“If anyone finds it, they’ll likely attribute it to the battle. Besides, I don’t think you’ll be back with the Rising any time soon.”

Once they were on board, the ramp was raised, and the Supremacy ship took off. Gusts from the engines rippled the tarp wrapped around the body of Lance Corporal Ormond.