The three of them traded looks.

“We go in as a team, and come out as one,” Dex said.

“No one gets left behind,” Andi agreed. Dex could see the pain flickering in her eyes as she uttered those words and knew she was thinking of her crew. She swallowed and glanced away from him.

“We might be going into this blind, but we’ll try negotiations first,” Dex instructed them. “If that doesn’t work, we shoot. Getting captured is not on the agenda for today.” He pressed the button on the side of his neck, and a helmet engulfed his head. Andi and Lon did the same.

They lined up together on the edge of the loading dock. Andi pulled a lever, and the giant door yawned open. Solera greeted them with a rush of wind that Dex assumed would’ve frozen them in place if it weren’t for the protection of the suits.

“Let’s not keep them waiting.”

They left the cover of the Marauder and stepped onto the open ice field. The transport ship had landed a few paces away, and a group of six figures now emerged from its belly in black suits. There were no sigils on their uniforms, providing no indication of whether they were friends or enemies.

To be honest, Dex didn’t even know if they had any friends left in this galaxy anymore. Everyone he knew was compromised, or at least he assumed they were by now. He’d never forget the glazed expressions of the people who’d turned to Nor, and he was certain they’d do anything in her name.

Including killing Dex and the others in cold blood right now.

The group stopped a few paces away from them. Dex put a hand on his gun, noticing Andi’s body tense beside his as the leader of the group froze in place.

For a moment, Dex thought he saw the person reach for a weapon. But his eyes widened when they instead lifted a hand in greeting.

“Dextro Arez. It’s been a while.”

Dex’s eyes widened as the speaker’s face came into view behind a clear helmet.

“Klarisa?” Dex asked, utterly aghast.

“The one and only,” Klarisa said with a wicked grin.

Dex wanted to rush forward to greet his old comrade, but he held back, knowing he couldn’t allow his emotions to rule him. There was only one way to determine whether Klarisa was still herself, or if she was in Nor’s thrall.

“Who do you serve?” Dex said carefully, remembering the question that had been asked of the guests in that Arcardian ballroom, just after they’d been shot with the silver bullets and rose again.

Klarisa thudded her right fist against her heart. “I serve my galaxy, as do you. As do all Guardians. But I serve no queen.”