But I'd seen something else entirely.
"Vaelix," I said quietly. "Look at this."
He moved to my side, his sharp eyes scanning the data streaming across my screen. Through the bond, I felt the exact moment he understood what I was seeing.
"You've cracked the resonance pattern," he breathed. "Kira, this is—"
"A way to distribute the power safely," I finished, barely able to contain my excitement. " If we can create resonance nodes—small relay stations—we could provide clean, limitless energy to those who the corporations have exploited. Stations. Outposts. Settlements that can barely afford life support. The entire Reach."
His hand found mine and squeezed gently. Through the bond, I felt his fierce pride, his love, his absolute certainty that I was exactly where I was meant to be.
"Voss wanted to use this to control people," I said, looking up at him. "We're going to use it to free them."
Vaelix's smile was sharp and beautiful. "Our research," he said. "Together."
"Together," I agreed.
That evening, I found all four of them on the bridge.
Torvyn turned from the viewport as I entered, his golden eyes warm. "We've received word from one of our contacts. Voss has been removed from his position. The data we leaked has triggered multiple investigations."
"He's not done," Kaedren added, arms crossed. "Men like him never are."
"But he's weakened," Lyrin said, his hazel eyes soft. "And we're stronger."
Vaelix smirked. "Significantly stronger, given Kira's latest breakthrough."
I felt their curiosity ripple through the bond before I'd even opened my mouth.
"I found a way to help people," I said. "It's not perfect yet, but it's a start. If we can refine it, distribute it—"
"No one else will suffer what you did," Torvyn finished, understanding immediately.
Through the bond, I felt their collective pride. Their love. Their absolute certainty that this—all of this—was exactly right.
"The Corporation will come for us eventually," I said, looking at each of them in turn. "For me. For the research. For what we represent."
Kaedren's grin was all teeth. "Let them try."
"We'll be ready," Torvyn said firmly.
"We'll face it together," Lyrin added.
"All of us," Vaelix finished.
I moved to stand between them, looking out at the stars beyond the viewport. Infinite. Endless. Full of possibility.
A month ago, I'd been alone. Captive. Convinced I'd never be anything more than Director Voss's prize possession.
Now I stood on the bridge of the Starbreakerwith four men who saw me not as something to control, but as someone to stand beside.
The tether hummed between us, steady and sure.
Torvyn's hand found mine. Kaedren moved to my right. Lyrin stepped to my left. Vaelix stood close behind, his presence a constant comfort.
"Where to next?" I asked.
"Wherever we're needed," Torvyn said. "Together."
