“Oh, we can assure you,” Abibi said with a smile. “Every qubit of data, the ship’s records, even the daily logs have been downloaded from Ashanti. Honestly, Captain, we inverted symmetry before the proverbial shit hit the thrusters, but there was no way The Corporation could have kept the lid on. A cult of cannibals? Lost in space for seven years? And then the wealth? You ask me, nothing’s going to be the same from here on out. We had applications in the tens of thousands seeking a berth on Turalon. As the Ashanti news broke, Corporate Interstellar Operations were inundated with requests for transit. Whatever data and discoveries you sent back, Captain, I can guarantee you that it’s being scoured for information, right down to the placement of decimal points.”

Abibi could hear cheers in the background.

“Thank you, Captain.” Torgussen’s voice was laced with emotion. “You just made a lot of people on Vixen very happy. Back slaps and high fives are the order of the day here. When opportunity presents, Vixen would like to do you and your officers the honor of a fine supper in our galley. And we’ll have our latest survey data to send back with you.”

She grinned. “Invitation accepted, Captain. It will be our pleasure.”

“We’ve just had radio confirmation. Two Spot, down in Port Authority, has received your beacon. They know you’re here.”

Abibi settled back in her chair. Well, the die was cast. She crossed her legs and considered. The last time she’d arrived in Donovan’s orbit, it had almost ended in a bloodbath. To stem it, Kalico Aguila had granted deeds and titles to the Donovanians. News of that had set off a firestorm among the Boardmembers. In the end, it might have burned out. Might not have meant a thing to The Corporation if Ashanti hadn’t arrived in Turalon’s wake dripping with even more unimaginable wealth. The Board had been so unsettled it had appointed Inspector General Suto Soukup. Given him Board authority and even delayed Turalon’s departure in the rush to get him aboard. Not to mention the few families who had scrambled the fastest to ensure their agents made the trip.

Agents? More like venomous reptiles.

And then there were thirty marines under the command of Colonel Stanley Creamer. All with tech.

And Abibi had no idea whose orders they were to follow.

She’d ensured that throughout the transit, she and her crew kept their distance.

And when they’d popped back into the universe, in those few moments of uncertainty, Margo Abibi had had one finger poised over the button that would have locked and sealed the Transportee Deck and vented its atmosphere into space.