Ryn took a moment to lose his Tavali gear and suit up like the rest of them. All of their planets and allies had declared war on The League, and they couldn’t afford to walk off the ship in enemy battlesuits. Only Drake wore his Kimmerian gear. The rest of them dressed in plain black battlesuits.

And since the Kimmerians were the only ones not currently at war with the Gondarion government, they let Drake take the lead. As soon as they reached the bottom of the ramp, they were greeted by Gondarion soldiers.

“Can I help you?” Drake asked the soldiers in a bored tone.

The guards pinned suspicious stares on them. “Why the armor? What’s the reason for your visit?”

Drake shrugged. “We’re here to plant petunias. Didn’t you get the paperwork?”

The guard was less than impressed with Drake’s imperious sarcasm. “Petunias don’t grow here.”

Bastien stepped forward. “We’re here to petition the Overseer. You’ll have to forgive my bodyguard, he’s a little irritable, but I can’t blame him. I’d be irritable, too, if I went a month without a bowel movement.”

Drake laughed.

The guard, not so much. He eyed Bastien with extreme animosity. “And you are?”

“Bastien Cabarro. Prince and heir to the Kirovarian throne. I’m here to demand justice for my family, and to get sanctions against the bastard who wrongfully usurped my father’s throne and slaughtered my entire family. And…” He looked down at the man’s nameplate. “Officer Garox, I can either tell the Mistress of Justice that you were helpful to my family’s quest or a major pain in my ass. Which I don’t think Lady Alia would approve of since she was a close personal friend of my parents.”

That totally reoriented the man’s attitude. “Forgive me, Your Highness. We didn’t mean to detain you. We just have to be careful these days.”

“Believe me, I understand caution. My father nurtured the snake that slew him. Now, if you’ll excuse me…” He swept past them with an arrogant royal saunter.

One that vanished as soon as Bastien walked outside the bay. He paused at the entrance and stayed at the door to watch the guards while Hauk and the rest filed out as if they were following and protecting Bastien. Once he and Nykyrian were sure they were cleared and not reported, they headed for the street.

Hauk paused by Bastien’s side as his words haunted him. “Is that the matter you need to take care of before you join us in The Sentella?”

“Yeah.” His eyes turned dark. Deadly. “They killed my brother and sister in front of me. And I want blood.”

“I’m sorry, Bastien.”

He pressed his lips together, but said nothing more about it. “Let’s get that baby of yours home where she belongs.”