Altered timestamps.
Preloaded harmonic signatures.
Private server routing.
Valen’s network.
I lock the forensic files into triple redundancy and turn toward Kael.
“This doesn’t disappear,” I say firmly.
“It does not,” he agrees.
Outside, the sentry cruiser pivots slightly, scanning us before transmitting encrypted acknowledgment.
“We’re in your territory now,” I say quietly.
“Yes.”
“And once we dock, your rivals will know I’m here.”
“Yes.”
“And they won’t like it.”
“No.”
I let out a slow breath.
“I didn’t mean to become part of this,” I admit.
“You chose,” he says.
I hold his gaze.
“Yes,” I reply.
The cruiser glides forward, deeper into Reaper space, toward systems that look nothing like the polished order of the Alliance.
This started as a summit.
It became a bombing.
Then an extraction.
Now it’s a war clock ticking louder by the second.
And I’m done reacting to it.
Now I intend to break it open.
CHAPTER 10
KAEL
Reaper space does not announce itself.
It watches.
