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“Hey, ELVIS. You miss us?” Daisy said.

“I’m not capable of that sensation, but my helix processor has been operating at a reduced capacity, suggesting I was struggling in your absence.”

“We missed you, too,” she said.

Cleo appeared at the top of the ramp. Her tight expression suggested things weren’t good.

“Cleo.” Rexx nodded at her.

“It’s good to have you both back. No ill effects from the treatment you went through?” Cleo looked at Daisy.

“I feel great. We were fortunate to meet Atticus and Estelle.”

“Angel’s been talking about their work. It should help with what comes next. This way.” Cleo turned and walked up the ramp.

“Help with what?” Daisy muttered to Rexx.

“Help with us not getting kicked off this ship.”

Daisy’s sigh speared through him. “I don’t want to lose what we have. But we deserve to have our asses handed to us.”

“No, we don’t. You’re not losing your place here. Like you said, this is home.”

Striker jogged over and slapped Rexx on the back. “Hey, buddy. Glad to see you’re not dead.”

“He tried his best to die. Several times,” Daisy said.

Wren dashed over and engulfed her in a hug. “You’re such an idiot, running out on us like that.”

“Yeah, I wasn’t thinking so clearly. Getting rammed full of Inkral tech will do that to you.”

Blaze and Eden strolled over, and there was more hugging.

“That’s enough welcome homes,” Cleo said. “There are people who need to speak to you both. Follow me.”

The tension inside Rexx ramped up again as he walked with Daisy to the briefing room.

Cleo gestured for them to stand in front of the big screen. “High Command insisted on speaking to you the second you got back. And they want to speak to you separately. Daisy, you come with me.”

Rexx opened his mouth to protest, but Daisy touched his arm and shook her head. “It’s good. I won’t get in any trouble. We’re back with people we trust. Stay calm and speak the truth. Just remember what we talked about, no being the hero here. If we go down, we go down together.”

“Daisy, this way,” Cleo said. “Angel needs to see you.”

Rexx yanked Daisy in for a hard kiss.

“I’ll see you soon for more of that,” she said. The smile she gave him filled him with confidence as she left the room.

He’d be fine, so long as he had her.

Rexx turned to the screen as it flickered to life. In front of him were three members of High Command. Commander Saul Lewton, Lieutenant Genevieve Washington, and Jimar Reece, head of Public Relations.

Rexx straightened and placed his hands behind his back.

Commander Lewton’s dark eyes tightened as he studied Rexx. “What do you have to say for yourself, soldier?”

“I was keeping my partner safe, sir. She was vulnerable.”

“We issued an order to have her removed from the ship for study. What gives you the right to disobey that command?”