Not for the first time, Clo was struck by just how vital that intel was to the Novantae. Clo had yet to be on a mission where she’d interacted with many high-up officials. She’d only met another member of the royal family once, by accident, and it hadn’t ended well. Eris had detailed, insider knowledge about so many aspects of the Empire. No wonder Sher and Kyla had insisted on keeping the Archon’s only Heir alive when she defected.

They made their way through the empty space toward the hulking craft at the far side of the hangar. Their footsteps echoed against the metal floor.

<Watch the guards while I’m in the ship,> Eris said. <One of the men at the door seemed less certain of me than the other. He’ll make a call once we’re inside, just for due diligence.>

<How do you know?> Clo asked.

<Because he’s hungry to prove himself.>

They reached the ships. These were smaller than the vast transport crafts that usually passed through. Clo’s attention was drawn to the stark, unmarked craft. It was all sharp angles, the front built like the point of a knife.

So, this was an S model? She hadn’t seen anything like it. By gods, it was beautiful. If they weren’t on a mission where she was meant to be a stiff, upright Tholosian, she might have whistled in admiration. Their target could slice through the atmosphere like a blade through skin. Clo itched to get her fingers around the controls of Zelus, to have a look at how it all worked.

“You start on the engine and I’ll inspect the interior,” Eris said aloud, keeping the strange accent and disinterested tone. <And turn off the comm hatch on that wall there,> she added, her gaze flicking to it. <Just in case.>

Clo nodded. She’d settle for laying her hands on that gorgeous engine.

The hangar was oddly beautiful, with high arched ceilings, the wall in front of them made of thick sheets of glass made to withstand Mors weaponry. Clo angled toward the comm hatch. There were no guards this close to the crafts when all entrances were covered. She switched off the comms to stall any outgoing messages. It wouldn’t help for long, but if things went south, a minute or two could save their lives.

Clo opened up the hatch. The engine was still warm. They couldn’t have timed this better. The inhabitants of Zelus should have just disembarked on a shuttle up to the floating buildings above. Not enough time to take out the cargo. A few minutes before or later, and this would have been much trickier. Clo thanked the gods for that flicker of luck.

<That’s strange,> Eris said. <We mapped our identities and the Oracle should have taken them no problem, but I haven’t heard any confirmation. It’s as if One is turned off. >