Alexander straightened, slipping back into the composed grace of a seasoned officer without losing an ounce of tenderness.
"We're not on a civilian vessel right now," he said. "This is a military ship. The Fourth Stellar Fleet."
She blinked. "Military…? Why am I..."
"It wasn't safe to leave you on Zed 088," he explained gently. "There were too many eyes. Too many political parties who would've used you before you even knew your own name."
His gaze hardened just slightly. Protection. Anger. Oath.
"Uncle Lyr handles command of the Fourth Fleet," he continued. "We left as soon as we secured you. We're already en route to the capital star, Agartha."
Agartha...
Huh?
Isn't that the mysterious inner dimension back on Earth?
Was it a coincidence?
"The capital is an S-ranked planet," Alexander said. "Our home. Where the Qin Clan resides."
