Matt sighed, rubbing the back of his neck and shuffling his feet. For a moment I almost thought he might say something to Priya, but instead he muttered, “Come on, Rune.”

She glared at him, utter fury and hatred transforming her face into something twisted. “Make me.” I’d never heard so much rage and betrayal in her voice, not even when she’d yelled at me and Cage for lying to her.

Priya shoved her from behind. “If she resists, toss her over your shoulder and carry her. Just get those two locked up with the others.”

With the others. Tension I hadn’t realized I was holding relaxed. They must have returned our friends to the ship after Rune spotted them, which meant they hadn’t been slaughtered and devoured.

“And me?” I demanded, my chest sinking.

“You’re wanted elsewhere.”

Rune, Cage, and I looked at one another. I desperately hoped one of them had a brilliant idea, and they probably prayed for the same from me. But nothing was forthcoming, and a moment later Finn and Matt led the twins away. Rune opted against physical force, instead spewing an onslaught of vitriol like I’d never heard in Matt’s direction. He pretended impassivity, but the tension in his shoulders stood out in sharp relief beneath his armor, and I derived at least a little satisfaction from the sight.

But not much, because Priya dragged me down another corridor and shoved me into a conference room of sorts. “What am I—?” I began, but she closed the door in my face.

I yanked on the handle and found that, of course, she’d locked it. I examined my surroundings: a small office with a table and five chairs. A tray of glasses and a pitcher of water rested on a shelf on the far wall, and a recessed holoscreen sat above it. That was it, no windows, no interactive screens, nothing, only a man staring out the window, his hands clasped behind his back. I took a shaky step in his direction and his shoulders tightened before he turned.

“Oh my God,” I whispered. “Dad?”

He smiled uncertainly. “Hi, Kenzie.”

“Dad!” I repeated, and launched myself into his arms. It was really him. I hadn’t believed, not for one second, that Omnistellar would let him come to me, but here he was, flesh and muscle and the rough half beard he always grew in space. He clasped me tightly against his chest, my hands sandwiched between us, and rocked me, almost like a child. We pulled apart, his eyes large and bright with unshed tears. “Oh, my baby girl,” he murmured, cupping my face in his hands. “I was so scared. I thought I’d never see you again.”

“Dad,” I whispered. It seemed to be the only thing I could say. I stared into his dark eyes. He was as neat and tidy as ever, his uniform pristine, but he looked a bit thinner, a bit paler. Had it really only been a few weeks since I’d seen him?