“No, Admiral, the legend isn’t relevant in the reality of things,” he said finally, “but I needed to hear it anyway.”

Eric turned to look at Rael Tanner evenly. “And I need you to dig deeper. Find anything you can about these people, legendary or not, and get me that information.”

“I will see what I can turn up.”

“Good.” Eric blew out a breath, feeling tired. “About my ship . . .”

“I have already secured a repair slot.” Tanner smiled. “You will be fit for duty in all ways within the week.”

“Good. Thank you, Admiral.”

“It is a pleasure.”

“Next, I need access to your FTL relay,” Eric said. “I have a report to file.”

“Allow me to show you to system control,” Tanner said, gesturing. “I don’t believe you’ve visited yet, despite everything.”

►►►

► The Priminae system control facility was impressive, though certainly not quite on par with their Forge shipyard complex. The central room included a large hemisphere dome that projected regions of space as needed. The dome was focused on Ranquil’s orbit and the Odysseus when Tanner and Eric arrived.

“Holographic?” Eric asked, tilting his head slightly to change the angle of his perception.

“Not precisely,” Tanner answered, “at least not as I comprehend your definition of the word.”

Eric nodded absently but didn’t ask for more details, as they would be, without any doubt, over his head. He didn’t have time for a lecture at the moment. “Alright.”

Tanner smiled thinly, as though he knew precisely what Eric was thinking, and indicated a station just off-center in the room. “You may link to your government from that station, Captain.”

“Thank you,” Eric said, walking over and cautiously taking a seat.

The controls for the comm station weren’t much different than the Odysseus, thankfully. Eric activated the system and adjusted it over to the channels set aside for Terran communication before opening a signal.

A few seconds later, a young officer in Alliance dress was looking back at him through the display.

“Welcome to Alliance Command, Sol space. Where may I direct you?”

“Admiral Gracen’s officer, please. Weston, Eric S. Captain, AEV Odysseus, calling.”

The image flickered even before he finished speaking, and he very quickly found himself looking at a lieutenant commander instead.

“Captain, the admiral has been awaiting your check-in,” the lieutenant commander told him. “We didn’t expect you on the Priminae relay, however.”

“Priority report,” Eric said. “Secure records will follow. However, the Odysseus is in for emergency repairs at the Forge.”

“One moment.”

The screen flickered again, this time going black for almost a minute. When it came back, the admiral was glaring at him.

“What did you do?” growled Admiral Gracen. “That ship is one of the most powerful engines of destruction in the known universe, and it’s in for repairs? You’ve been in command less than two weeks!”