Waves broke against the shore, licking the sand with greedy tongues. The sky was overcast and the sea agitated, though there was no rain... for now. The air was cool and carried pleasant scents.

Halden had gone back to that same beach where he had spoken with Rees—alone, this time—and sat on the same bench. He needed a place to think, to relax while he processed all that had happened. Sometimes he felt like his brain would burst. It was just too much for him. He was a scientist, not an adventurer—much less a hero!

He’d feel better once he was on Nad’irith. There, he could focus on his work. Far from the war and, hopefully, from Nuj and his goons.

With a sigh, he sat back and pressed two fingers against his temple. Blinking, he selected Vina’s name and initiated a call.

“Halden! Good grief, where have you been? I’ve been worried sick. Have you heard about the invasion?”

“I have. Are you still on Assalin?”

“I am, but—”

“Stay there.”

“What? I thought I’d come to you. It’s been too long...”

“No, Vina. You’ll be safer on Assalin. Besides, I’m about to leave.”

“Going back to the Fault?”

“It’s vital we pierce its secrets—more so now than ever.”

“Yes, I suppose that’s true. When will I see you again?”

He sighed. “I don’t know.”

“Maybe I can come with you—or join you there.”

“That’s probably not a good idea. Traveling won’t be safe until those invaders are dealt with.”

“It’d be easy enough to avoid them, you know, since they’re going in a straight line...”

“Still, I’d rather play it safe. Anyway. I just wanted to see you and to hear your voice.”

“I miss you.”

“So do I.” He paused, looking through her face at the sea. “Someday, when all this is over, we’ll get a house here, on the beach. Or on some other beach, on some other world. It doesn’t matter. So long as there is the sea.”

She smiled. “I’d like that.”

“I have to go. Take care of yourself, Vina.”

“You too, hon.”

He brought down his hand and her face faded.

Closing his eyes, he listened to the sound of the waves crashing against the shore. Tried to focus on that alone, pushing everything else out of his mind for a little while.

Until his wristpad beeped.

Looking at the small screen, he saw the visor had sent him an address with a brief note saying: “Go as soon as you can.”

Halden stood and walked back to his glider. Expecting to leave in a hurry, he had already prepared a bag with his things and it was on the seat next to him.

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As he transferred the address to the onboard AI, the familiar tug inside his brain told him someone was trying to call him. A blink revealed the caller’s identity. It was Marthus.

He clenched his teeth and shook his head.

No. He wouldn’t talk to that man. Not ever again.

He was done with Marthus.

The tug faded as the glider lifted and sped toward its destination.

It was in a part of town he had never been to. The wealthiest neighborhood. Likely, he would be sent through a private gateway.

He watched through the window as the small vehicle drifted high above crowded walkways and glistening buildings.

It finally slowed when it reached a group of villas, each with a large plot of land, and descended toward one. He saw multiple structures, an animal pen, and two swimming pools. There was also a paved rectangular area, which is where the glider landed.

Halden stepped out and looked around.

Two servants—a man and a woman—were walking in his direction.

“Prof. Roche?” asked the former when he was within earshot.

“It is I.”

“My name is Filix. This is Darela. Welcome to the home of Grekor Antolan.”

The woman bowed her head. “Is there some drink or food you would like us to prepare for you, sir?”

“I doubt there’ll be time for any of that, Darela. I’m on urgent business and expect to be leaving soon.”

“Then perhaps a quick collation. I will make preparations.”

Without waiting for a response, the woman turned, took a step, and disappeared

Seeing his surprise, the remaining servant smiled.

“Darela’s work requires speed. So our master, in his infinite wisdom and immense generosity, has made her the great honor to lend her a transpin.”

“Ah. Yes, I see.”

“Now if you’ll please follow me, Prof. Roche, my master is expecting you. I will take you to him directly.”

“Of course. Lead on.”

They took a cobbled path that snaked through the garden, all the way to the looming villa. It was a three-story affair made of stone, glass, and jade.

Inside, green walls welcomed him. A two-hundred-year-old carpet—still looking pristine—muffled the sound of their footsteps.

Filix took him down a hall, then through a door into a large library with warmer colors—all reds and purples and browns. Book-loaded shelves covered the walls. A dozen chairs were arranged across the room. A gray-haired man, in his sixties, sat in one of them. He looked up as they entered, put down the book he was reading on a nearby table, and rose.

The servant bowed. “Sir. This is Prof. Roche. Professor, this is my master, the honorable Grekor Antolan.”

The older man nodded. “Thank you, Filix. You may leave us now.”

Another door opened as he left, and Darela appeared, carrying a tray covered with snacks, a jug of water, and a bottle of zestri.

Antolan frowned when he saw her.

“A less elaborate serving would have been sufficient, Darela. Our guest will not be long with us.”

She glanced at Halden. “He looks dreadful, sir. I picked food that is high in energy.”

The lord of the house turned a quirked brow toward the scientist, looking him up and down.

“Indeed,” he muttered.

Halden shifted on his feet.

“I’m fine,” he said. “In fact, if it’s all the same to you, I would rather skip this entirely.” He motioned toward the tray as the servant set it down on a table. “As I’m sure you must be aware, my business is rather urgent.”

“Our common friend has hinted as much.”

The scientist cringed inside at being lumped into the ‘visor’s friend’ category, but was careful not to let it show.

“I thought you might say that,” said the woman as she pulled a bag out of a pocket and tossed chips and nuts into it. She walked up to Halden and handed it to him.

Antolan seemed amused as he watched this quietly.

Halden grimaced but took the bag with a nod.

The woman turned, took a step, and disappeared.

“Feel free to leave the bag if you don’t want it,” said the visor’s friend.

The scientist glanced down at it, considered, then shrugged. “I suppose it wouldn’t hurt to eat some of these.”

Antolan chuckled. “As you wish. So, Olan has asked me to send you as close as I can to the Tin’kisti Belt. I have a friend with some property on Obaron. It’s about a two-hour flight from there to Fad’anarth.”

“I’ve never heard of either.”

“Not surprising. They’re both small worlds. Fad’anarth is at the very edge of the Tin’kisti Belt. Olan will have a ship waiting there for you to take you to your final destination. Follow me.”

Antolan headed toward yet another door and stepped through, Halden following him closely. They walked through a narrow hall that led them into another, smaller room. The black oval on the wall glimmered as they arrived.

The visor’s friend stepped up to a panel next to the gateway and tapped on it for a moment. The dark surface shifted and an image formed. Of a similar room.

“My friend isn’t there at the moment, but one of his servants will take you to the landing pad.”

Halden nodded. “Thank you, sir. I appreciate your help.”

“Say nothing of it.”

Antolan gestured toward the gateway and Halden stepped through.