EVE’S TRIAL, LORIAN
The encrypted connectionto Alba takes longer than usual to establish. When Father's face finally materializes in the holographic display, he looks older than I remember. "Lorian, I heard about your human problem."
"News travels fast."
"When the IGC arrests a human for terrorism who is also rumored to be your and Rafe’s lover at the Grand Championships, the entire galaxy is watching." He leans back, Autumn is visible at his feet as always. "What do you need?"
"Connections. Anyone in the Empire who might have influence with the IGC tribunals."
Father laughs. "You think Imperial contacts will help you save a human terrorist? The Empire celebrates such arrests. It serves as proof that humans can't be trusted."
"She's not a terrorist. She's?—"
"Yours?" He studies me with those eyes that see too much. "I warned you about humans, Lorian. They're meant to be owned completely ornot at all. This half-measure employment was always going to end badly."
"Father, do you have any contacts or not?"
He's quiet for a moment, stroking Autumn's hair absently. "Admiral Kai owes me a favor. He sits on the Imperial Advisory Council to the IGC. But Lorian... the price will be steep. And he won't lift a finger out of sentimentality. You'll need to offer him something substantial."
"Ialmosthave the coordinates to Haven."
Father's hand stills. "The mythical human colony Terra Ka has been hiding?"
"I've been tracking their ship movements for months. Triangulating possible locations. I'm close, thanks to Eve." I look at my father’s shocked face. “We set her up from the beginning as a honey trap.”
"That changes things. And that information would be worth... considerable influence." He smiles now, cold and calculating. "Many trainers lost valuable property during these liberation efforts. They'd pay handsomely for the chance to retrieve their investments."
"Then make the call."
"I will. But, Lorian—” His expression turns serious. "If this human means so much to you, perhaps it's time to stop pretending she's an employee. Don't let love make you weak. Your mother did that to me, and look where it led us—exiled from the Empire, living as rich refugees on a planet that barely tolerates us."
The connection ends, leaving me alone with that warning. I pour myself a drink, considering all of our options.
Rafe enters without knocking, his face drawn with exhaustion. "My ship isready," he says.
"Father's reaching out to Admiral Kai for help."
"Good. I've liquidated several assets for bribes. Jin Kol's assistantseems particularly susceptible." He pauses. "Are you prepared for this?"
"To see her on trial? No." I drain my glass. "But I'll do what's necessary, what I have to.”
The IGC Judicial Complex orbits in neutral space, a massive structure designed to intimidate. As our ship docks, media drones swarm, broadcasting our arrival across the galaxy. The Sovereign Directors of the Celestial Spire have come to witness their human employee's trial for terrorism.
Inside, the corridors echo with a thousand species' footsteps. We're escorted to a viewing gallery reserved for "interested parties." Through the transparent aluminium, I can see the courtroom below.
Within minutes, the gallery is already filling with familiar faces. Aefre sits three rows below us, his usually perfect composure shattered, and his green eyes burn with fury when he sees us.
"Sovereigns," he spits. "Come to watch your pet-terrorist face justice? She cost me everything."
"Your losses are noted," Rafe replies. "And you will be compensated.”
“How? You can’t simply replace a human like Ember. He was with me for over a decade.” Aefre stands, trembling with rage. "When this is over, when she's sentenced, I'll be filing civil suits against the Ascendant Alliance for negligence."
Other trainers murmur agreement. Marath coils in her seat, scales flushed with anger. The Aria-7 delegation whispers among themselves, shooting us venomous looks.
Above us all, in the supreme viewing box, Jin Kol surveys the scene with satisfaction. He orchestrated this perfectly—not just Eve's arrest, but this public humiliation of the Ascendant Alliance's policies. He catches my eye and raises an invisibleglass in mock salute.
"Sovereigns." A Reima Two woman approaches, her press credentials glowing. "Mira Voss, Reima Two Daily. Might I ask a few questions?"
