“I can see that,” Nyx said. The soldier discarded her servitor coat onto the floor like she couldn’t wait to get rid of it. “You both look shitty. Why are your faces painted up like a couple of husks?”

“Hey.” Ariadne sounded offended as she swiped the markings off her cheeks. “Don’t be mean.”

“We were out of options,” Clo said shortly. She gave Eris an assessing look. “All okay with Damocles?”

Eris understood Clo’s unasked question: how was it seeing your brother again, after all this time? A part of her warmed at the concern, but she tried not to overthink Clo’s intentions. If Eris botched this mission, they’d all be dead.

“He’s still alive, unfortunately,” she said, removing the shifter from the roof of her mouth. She relaxed as her face settled into its natural shape. Eris sighed. Gods, it felt good. “I’m going to my quarters. Don’t bother me for three hours.”

“What if there’s a fire?” Ariadne asked. “Or another emergency?”

“Either handle it or let me die. I’m tired.” Her bones were as heavy as her heart as she started for the doors. They opened before Eris reached for the button.

Rhea stood there. Her eyes were wide and panicked, her usual grace replaced by agitated jerking movements. Eris didn’t know her well, but the other woman had kept a calm facade since she and Clo had first come aboard the ship.

“You all need to get to the bridge,” Rhea told them, almost breathless. She must have run all the way from the command center.

“What is it?” Nyx asked.

Rhea just gestured with her hand. “With me. Now.”

She led them to the command center. They all froze when they saw who was sitting in the oversized chair.

“Son of a bitch,” Eris hissed.

The pilot was unconscious, his head lolling to the side. The women recoiled from the scent of him, a combination of body odor, chemicals, and things Eris didn’t even want to contemplate since he’d been hiding somewhere on the ship for the better part of a godsdamn week.

“How the flark is he here?” Clo demanded. “He took my ship! There’s no way he—” She stopped, coming to some realization. “He sent that ship out there unmanned. So we wouldn’t look for him. That bastard.”

Rhea nodded. “He said he stayed behind for intel. Hoping for glory from the Empire for his trouble.”

“So, he sent my ship down a wormhole for nothing? That bastard!”

“Clever asshole.” Eris stepped closer to him. “Where was he hiding?”