Her name tag identified her as Ayana Salomi, Guest Representative.
‘Gentlemen, welcome to Sable HQ,’ she said, her voice a smooth, melodic alto.
‘Sante. Where’s Mirage?’ Molan rumbled, stepping into the lift.
‘She’s occupied by a prickly delegation of Synth AIs from Galicia,’ Ayana explained with a polite smile. ‘She asked me to step in today as your liaison, so please follow me. Commander Sable is expecting you.’
The elevator descended, opening into the sprawling glass and obsidian lobby of the Sable Corporation’s executive tier.
Ayana guided them into a stunning office where the walls gave way to panoramic views of Eden II’s hyper-modern skyline.
Kainan and Zane’s looming muscled silhouettes already crowded the room, as they prowled forward to hug and welcome the Sacran brothers.
‘Look at you, all dolled up,’ Zane joked, gripping Idan’s shoulder. ‘The style suits you, even if you look like you’re plotting a mafioso murder in that shirt.’
‘Blame my woman,’ Idan muttered, though he was grinning. ‘She insisted I change from my leather togs, saying they made me look like a provincial yokel.’
‘Not that there’s anything wrong with that, time and place, brother,’ Kainan chuckled, pouring thick, fragrantkahawainto heavy ceramic mugs and handing them out.
For a while, the air was dense with the scent of coffee and easy talk. From updates on their wives and women, to the chaos of domestic life, all the rare moments of bliss they all fought so hard to preserve.
In time, their levity gave way to solemnity as Kainan set his mug down and leaned forward, elbows to his knees, clasping his hands together.
His face sobered into the mask of a leader burdened by the responsibility of entire systems.
‘I’ve got a proposition for you two,’ Kainan stated, his gaze locking on the brothers. ‘With Sulfiqar out of the picture, the royal seat of the Highest Heaven is in contention. Sacra has always been a secretive empire; they sneer at the rest of thePegasi, but I need its borders to stay stable. The last thing I want is warring gods stirring shit that might overflow onto us mortals. I’m after allies I can trust, eyes and ears I can lean on. To give me and the Pegasi Galactic Alliance some insight and act as intermediaries between Sacra’s rulers and us.’
He gave the brothers pointed looks.
Idan let out a short, dry laugh, shaking his head. ‘Mediators? Kainan, I’m a man of the soil. I find serenity in dirt, leather working, and animal wrangling, not in high courts and posturing.’
‘And I’m pure muscle,’ Molan growled. ‘I went from a merc to your security head, and let’s be honest, at heart I’m a gunrunner when the credits are right. I don’t charm people into peace; I talk them into staying down. We aren’t diplomats, we’re the guys you call when diplomacy fails.’
‘That’s exactly why it has to be you,’ Kainan rasped, with a quirk to his lips. ‘The galaxy is full of silver-tongued politicians who’ll say whatever it takes to keep their seats warm. I don’t need more of those fakekinais. I demand men who know the cost of a bullet and the value of a hard day’s work. I require locked-in, badass operators.’
His eyes flashed with purposeful intensity.
‘You’re not just a farmer and a merc anymore. You’re Riders now. That means we don’t get the luxury of staying in our lanes. We roll up our sleeves, we step into the mud, and we do whatever is necessary for the peace of this galaxy. If that entails having to put on some big boy diplomatic pants and staring down some arrogant Sacran lords, then that’s the mission.’
‘Besides, Idan is showing us today he canfokkin’ switch it up. He even appears halfway decent when his woman says he has to,’ Zane added with a glint in his eye.
Idan raised a middle finger to the smirking Rider, then traded a glance with Molan.
They exchanged a quick sub-vox conversation; their protests fading as they considered Kainan’s words.
‘The logic holds,’ Idan rumbled out loud after a few moments, leaning back in his chair with a sigh of resignation. ‘Sacra is a powder keg. If it blows, the fallout hits everyone, even our women. And freakin’ hell, we know they’ll all be charging in to help with any war or rescue efforts given their roles.’
‘Sawa,’ Molan added, his expression hardening into one of professional resolve. ‘We’ll do it. We’ll act as the go-between for the Alliance and the Sacran Council. We’ll build your bridge to Sivania and the High Heavens,boss-Khan.Just don’t be surprised if we have to crack a few skulls to keep thefokkin’ foundations steady.’
Kainan grinned, leaning in to shake their hands. ‘Needs must,kaka.’
The deal was barely finalized when the air in the center of the room fractured.
Mirage materialized, her holographic form shimmering with a frantic energy.
Kainan furrowed his forehead; Mirage was notoriously unflappable, and her agitation was an immediate red flag.
‘Ko’Sawa?’ Kainan demanded.
