“Captain?” Com Officer Cissi Butooro’s voice came through the speakers. “We’ve got a hail on the hyperlink.”

Abibi frowned. “Last time we were here, all communications were by radio. Put it through.”

“Attention, this is the Corporate explorer ship Vixen. Identification IS-SE-17. We’re reading your hyperlink beacon. Please identify. This is Captain Torgussen of the Vixen. If you are receiving, please reply.”

“Hello, Vixen. And greetings! This is Captain Margo Abibi, IS-C-26 Turalon. We’re receiving, Captain Torgussen. Our compliments to Vixen. We have just arrived in-system and are boosting for Capella III. What can we do for you?”

“Welcome to Donovan, Captain. Congratulations to Turalon on a successful transition. Let us be the first to tell you, your arrival is not only welcomed, but will be received with relief in a lot of quarters. Query: Do you have news regarding Ashanti? She shipped more than three years ago for Solar System with Vixen personnel aboard. We’d appreciate any word.”

“Roger that, Vixen. We are delighted to inform you that Ashanti arrived off Neptune orbit with all hands safe and sound. We’ve been advised of your history, and your people made quite a splash upon their arrival.”

Splash was an understatement. Hell, Ashanti’s arrival had been more like a detonation. Abibi was cognizant only of the initial impact. Turalon had upset enough people with the containers of minerals, metals, gemstones, and clays, let alone the stunning news of so many lost ships, tales of renegade colonists, and derring-do. Then the horror and tragedy that had befallen Freelander had sent shock waves through The Corporation’s uppermost management. That Board Supervisor Aguila had stayed behind after signing over ownership of Port Authority had caused its own consternation. Abibi had been debriefed in a closed session of the Board. And debriefed. And debriefed some more. All of Turalon’s records had been downloaded, studied, and promptly restricted.

Given the brouhaha that was consuming the Board, Abibi immediately requested reassignment to Turalon. She’d occupied herself with the turnaround, only mildly distracted by Ashanti’s arrival. Pus in a pocket, but better the uncertainties of space compared to the shenanigans of Corporate politics. And she’d hated being under the spotlight, not to mention having her decisions second-guessed by a bunch of soft-assed Boardmembers.

Torgussen asked, “Was our data downloaded? Vixen, since her arrival, has conducted a comprehensive initial mapping of the Capella system. A copy of our research, mapping, and survey was included in Ashanti’s manifest.”