Vera's communication crystal pulsed with familiar frequency, the encrypted channel she'd maintained with Association Intelligence Division through fifteen years of service, a connection she hadn't severed despite officially joining coalition forces.
'Should've destroyed this months ago. Kept it for emergencies. Now it's just a reminder of divided loyalties.'
She activated the crystal in her private quarters, late enough that coalition patrols wouldn't notice the mana signature, the face that materialized was Commander Reyes, her former handler and one of the few Association officers she'd genuinely respected.
"Captain Stormwind," Reyes used her old title deliberately, "you've been silent for six weeks, that's concerning given your current assignment."
"Assignment ended when Kaelen terminated my contract," Vera said, "I'm no longer Association asset, this channel should've been deactivated."
