“Yeah, I remember. I was scared to shit—but I made it through. So will you.”

—Famed High Lancer Degra Moro, recalling her first solo mission

“Huh—what?” Zaina said, too shocked to fully process her mentor’s words.

Xyrthe put her helmet back on. “The more I think on it, the more I see we need someone here. This Dirzo sounds pretty trigger-happy—like he could attack at any moment. I’m guessing he’s not very forthcoming about his plans with you, Rymar.”

The Strato shook his head. “I’m afraid not.”

“So if we both go out there, we might get swamped out of nowhere if we aren’t sure what’s happening on the other side,” Xyrthe said. “And beside that—I don’t think showing up to a heretic enclave as a pair is a good idea. Most heretics coming to enclaves arrive by themselves.”

“You have a lot of experience with enclaves?” Zaina asked.

“As a matter of fact, I do. So trust me when I say us both showing up would probably arouse suspicion. It usually means one of two things—infiltration, or the destruction of another enclave.”

Zaina desperately wanted to hear about Xyrthe’s experiences in enclaves, but it wasn’t the right time—and even if it was, her mentor wasn’t exactly open about her past. Aside from that, there was the more pressing matter of her mentor more or less volunteering her for a suicide mission. Still, she didn’t want to seem afraid—if Xyrthe thought she was ready, maybe she really was. “Yeah, but—what will you do?”

“I’m going to earn Dirzo’s trust. Get in on his inner circle. Then I can keep you updated on his plans, give you a timeframe to work with.”

“I believe that would be a most wise measure,” Rymar said. “You may be able to hinder them from within as well. Perhaps a stoic, earnest presence will keep some of the bravado in check.”

“That’s the hope. Say, Rymar—”

“Yes?”

“Is there a closer hangar where I can move my ship in case shit goes south out there? I want to be able to run a rescue op without having to take that stupid fucking tubecar.”

“Yes,” he said. “Yes, of course. You can use my private hangar on the level above—I’ll have my shuttle moved immediately.”

“See?” Xyrthe said. “If something goes wrong I’ll be there in like, an hour at most. All you have to do is survive that long. That said, I really don’t see anything going too terribly wrong.”

Some of Zaina’s inner anxiety bubbled over. “Yeah, what could go wrong? I won’t have my armor, my spell-glove, I won’t be able to use my cipher—”

“Exactly,” Xyrthe said. “You’ll have the greatest weapon of all: that helpless, innocent charm of yours. Sivanya doesn’t stand a chance.”

Zaina rolled her eyes. It wasn’t exactly a vote of confidence, but it was the best she was going to get from Xyrthe.

“Now,” Xyrthe continued, “we need to think about how you’re going to approach.”

Zaina started to ask, “What—”

“Of course,” Rymar interrupted. “You wouldn’t be able to take the most direct path from Deonago—for one, you’d never make it through the patrols unspotted, and secondly, it may arouse Sivanya’s suspicions. You’ll need a ship.”

Xyrthe jumped in, “Not mine.”

Rymar nodded. “I prepared for this; after I contacted your Order I quickly arranged to purchase an unmarked, unregistered vehicle for the purposes of your infiltration.”

“Good,” Xyrthe said. “So Zaina, you’ll take Gizmo—he’ll pilot the ship. Keep all your lancer equipment hidden—is there any sort of hidden compartment?”

The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.

“Not that I’m aware of,” Rymar replied.

“We’ll figure something out. Anyway, you’ll want to cloak up as you leave the planet, then—”

“Leave the planet?” Zaina asked.

“Yes, temporarily,” Xyrthe curtly replied. “We don’t know what kind of scanning equipment this enclave has access to. If you fly directly out there and they have a way of knowing about it, the game’s over. It needs to seem like you stole a ship and are coming in from offworld.”

“We must take every precaution,” Rymar said. “The only way both peoples can be saved from bloodshed is if Sivanya trusts you—and I believe a good first impression will help in that regard.”

Zaina’s heart was starting to beat faster. Why was all this falling on her shoulders? It felt like a huge risk she wasn’t ready to take, but Rymar and Xyrthe were discussing it like it was the nightly news. Like it was already decided.

“Gizmo will take care of the flying for you,” Xyrthe said, seemingly oblivious to Zaina’s inner panic. “All you’ll have to do is convince them you’re in need of a place to stay. The more desperate, the better, but have a little pride, too—you want to seem desperate without seeming too desperate, if that makes sense.”

“Not really, no,” Zaina said.

“Be yourself and I think you’ll be okay. Now—time’s not on our side on this one, so we’d better get moving quickly. Where’s Zaina’s ship?”

“It’s in the navport. You’ll need the lot key—here it is.” He produced a small, square polysynth data-chip. Zaina stared at his outstretched hand. Taking the key was tantamount to agreeing to go the rest of this mission alone. The room swirled around the key atop Rymar’s palm. Was she ready? Did it really matter?

I’m a lancer now. Come on.

Slowly she reached out and grabbed the lot key. Once she’d taken it, her trance-like state ended, and she swiftly pocketed it. That was it—this was going to be her first solo mission.

“All right, kid,” Xyrthe said, “let’s get going. We’ll talk more on the way. Good luck, Rymar.”

“Thank you—and both of you as well. And please be careful.”

“We will,” Xyrthe said, walking out. Zaina took a deep breath and followed, still feeling overwhelmed and unsure.

“Young Zaina,” Rymar called after her.

She stopped and turned around. “Yes?”

He smiled warmly. “You’re going to do great.”

“Why do you think that?” she asked, wincing.

“Call it a feeling,” he replied. “I’m sure of it.”

She lingered for another moment, then said, “Thanks.”

Without waiting for his response, she turned and followed her mentor back onto the round stairwell.

Never thought I’d be happy to see a set of stairs again, but anything beats that awkwardness.

Xyrthe was standing by the edge, looking out over the city of Deonago. Zaina wondered what she was thinking about.

“Everything okay?” she asked.

“Huh? Yeah,” Xyrthe said. “I’m having Chimara fly over here. Fuck stairs.”

Zaina chuckled. “I guess I can agree with that.”

They waited in silence for a minute before Zaina had to ask a question. “So—you really think I’m ready?”

Xyrthe sighed. “We’re not having this conversation.”

Zaina got the hint, but she needed to know. “I’m not sure I am, if I’m being honest.”

“That’s great, kid. Have you thought about what you’re going to tell them?”

Zaina wasn’t sure what she meant. “Tell who?”

“Sivanya and the others. You gotta have a good story if you want them to trust you—but it can’t be obvious you’re lying.”

Zaina winced. She wasn’t the best liar. “I honestly have no idea.”

“I honestly can’t see you being very convincing, so don’t get too creative with it. Maybe stick as close to the truth as you can. You need to seem authentic, so be yourself. The only thing you can’t mention is anything related to being a lancer.”

“Yeah, I think that could work.”

“Good. And make sure you don’t use your cipher, whatever you do. It’s a last resort only—the second you use it your cover’s blown, and then it’s a game of hide and seek until I get there.”

“Right.”

“And whatever you do,” Xyrthe said, “don’t try to fuck with Sivanya if shit goes south. She’s a lancer-killer, and she’s bested better lancers than you.”

“Gee, thanks,” Zaina said, feeling what little enthusiasm she started with draining.

“That’s really all you need to know. Do you have any normal clothes to wear?”

“Uh, yeah, I should have a pair back on the ship.”

“All right. That’s what you’ll wear. You’ll want to bring your lancer gear with you, but leave it on the ship with Gizmo. If shit sours you should be able to make a break for your gear, which should help even the odds for a time.”

“If shit goes sour,” Zaina said. “How likely do you think that is on this one?”

“Honestly? Couldn’t tell you, kid,” Xyrthe said. “By Rymar’s accounts of her, I don’t think you’ll have too much of a problem with Sivanya. I think the wild card is Rymar’s idiot son, which is why I’m going to keep an eye on him personally.”

“That’s not very comforting.”

Xyrthe groaned. “If you’re looking for comfort in this line of work, you’re not going to survive very long. Look—I don’t know if you’re ready or not, kid. I didn’t know if I was ready, either. But sometimes you have to go on and do something without knowing if you’re ready. Have a little faith in yourself. And if it all goes sideways, I’ll do whatever I can to get you out of there. All right? Is that comforting enough?”

Surprisingly, it was better advice than Zaina expected from her mentor. “Yeah, I guess it’ll do.”

Xyrthe shook her head. “Sometimes I wonder if you’re cut out for this.”

“Riiva seems to think so.”

“Riiva doesn’t know or decide shit. It’s made plenty of lancers that couldn’t handle the work. Take it from someone who’s been there and done that: you need to be more resilient if you’re going to make it.”

Zaina didn’t bother responding. Her mentor was clearly in a bad mood. They waited in silence for Xyrthe’s ship.