“She’d be rich forever,” Malcolm said. His hand trailed over the monitor, touching her head where she sat, curled on the bed.

The end had come for Far Reacher Station, and while Captain Samworth may have preferred a glorious end, one in defense of the Coalition, that end eluded Far Reacher.

Mikael stood at the bottom of the auditorium with hundreds of eyes focused on him. He could practically hear their thoughts. What was he going to do now?

Supreme Ja’kal raised his head when the transit tube opened perfectly on time. His jubilation at the precision died as the four team members entered with despondent visages upon human faces. Tentacles slithering over each other, Ja’kal glided toward them. “What has transpired?” Their pause before responding confirmed the mission had not gone well.

The door whooshed open and closed, sending equally sterilized air into the chamber. Nevan gaped at Kessia. She stood stiffly before the chamber’s central console. Stiffly and awkwardly.

Examining the network of roadways, Andreena believed herself mad. The overpass went under the highway. Her mind couldn’t comprehend how. She felt like she stared at a twisted painting, looping on itself.

“Do you see her?” Vale nudge Tanth.

Tanth squinted through the club’s pulsing lights. “Where?”

Rookson paused before signing on the pad. One signature. One signature alone stood between himself and his dream. A ship, the Infinitum, would allow him to cruise the black unbeholden to a captain.

“What did he leave me.” The clipped words told Ger his sister Trina wouldn’t be stalled.