The Geometric Bubble was holding, but the Syndicate ship, the Cinder, was closing in with a low boom. The ship looked like a workhorse, built for hauling stuff and staying hidden to save on power—perfect for smuggling, so it looked shady.
ETA TO CONTACT: 45 SECONDS. It's going to stop and check our Arc signature. Elara sounded worried. The Bubble's blue glow faded as she cut power to hide their energy.
Veridian strapped the Manifest to her chest under her coat; the metal was cold. She looked at Garth, who was pale and sweating.
Garth, you're the bait, Veridian said quietly and fast. You messed up big time, fried from pushing the Arc too hard. You're in shock, hurt, and you do what I say. Keep your good arm where they can see it. Don't move your fingers unless I tell you to. Got it?
Garth nodded, looking like it hurt. Got it.
Elara, you're the wild card. You got away. You're stunned by the pressure, just react to my voice, Veridian told her.
ALL GOOD. NEED TO GET ON THE BRIDGE FOR MAP DATA. MY ARC SIGNATURE IS TOO STRONG, Elara said.
I. The Set-Up
Veridian grabbed Garth by the collar.
NOW! Elara yelled.
The Geometric Bubble vanished. Freezing seawater hit them hard. Veridian tensed up from the shock, but she fought it, pulling Garth up as the Cinder's dark shape showed up above.
A light shone on them. They'd been spotted.
Veridian got yanked up as a magnetic cable grabbed her pack. They were pulled towards a hatch.
The hatch opened, and they were hauled into a small, loud room, the water draining away. Veridian shoved Elara against the wall, acting tough, while dragging Garth's limp body across the wet floor.
Three people in Syndicate uniforms were waiting. The leader was Captain Lyra.
Lyra was a smart, serious Syndicate officer who used to be Veridian's biggest rival in training. Veridian was all about chaos, Lyra was about order. She wore her uniform well, and her eyes were cold when she looked at Veridian.
Lyra didn't say hi. She just looked at them, first at Elara, who was glowing, then at Garth.
Captain Veridian, Lyra said, her voice sharp. Making an entrance, as usual. Your distress call was missing. You were found near the Silver Reef's shields. Explain why you were kicked out.
II. The Talk: Order Vs. Chaos
Veridian let go of Garth, who slumped against a wall, looking shocked.
Didn't need a distress call, Captain Lyra, Veridian said, standing up straight. Was following protocol. The mission failed. I came back with the operative—the Anti-Abacus—and the Manifest.
She pointed at Elara. We were found out near the Reef. The Operator freaked out and pulled too much power trying to cloak us. I had to knock her out and get out of there to stop the ship from blowing up.
Veridian was bending the truth: Elara had pulled a lot of power, and they did get out. But the knock out part wasn't real.
Lyra got closer, walking around Veridian. Knock out the sector's most valuable thing? Then 'compromised approach' where you happen to be floating near the Reef's back door? Lyra looked at Elara. The Operator is standing. She looks fine. And she's glowing.
She's an Arc Engine running on backup power, Veridian shot back. The fight messed up her core. I hit the emergency release to shock her and keep the Manifest data safe. My engineer— she pointed to Garth —took most of the blast. Needs the medbay now.
Lyra knelt by Garth, moving fast. She felt his pulse, like a pro.
Garth's pulse was all over the place thanks to the shock and being worn out. He looked like he'd been through a lot.
Lyra stood up. The engineer is hurt, yeah. But I don't see any Arc burn on the Operator, Veridian. Just controlled energy and geometric blah blah.
Lyra looked Elara in the eye. Operator. You have top clearance. Tell me why you left the Sea Serpent.
III. The Machine's Cold Obedience
You could feel the tension. The Cinder's crew raised their guns. Veridian was ready to fight. This was the moment they were caught, or they pulled it off.
Elara didn't look at Lyra. She only looked at Veridian, like she was waiting for orders.
CAPTAIN VERIDIAN IS IN CHARGE, Elara said, sounding flat and logical. CAPTAIN VERIDIAN'S ORDERS: STOP. SHOCK. CONTAIN. COMPLETE. DONE. THE ENGINEER'S INJURY WAS EXPECTED.
Lyra's face got tight. Elara had told the truth, but making Veridian look like a cold Syndicate commander who'd do anything.
And where's the Directorate? Lyra asked Elara.
THE DIRECTORATE IS AT SILVER REEF. NEARLY 100% CHANCE OF GETTING CAUGHT. CAPTAIN VERIDIAN SAID GET OUT NOW TO PROTECT MANIFEST DATA.
Lyra turned back to Veridian, her eyes with respect for her—and concern. Veridian hadn't just got away, she'd outsmarted the Directorate.
The Directorate sent a message ten minutes ago: The Manifest is bad, and Captain Veridian is now a bad guy, Lyra said, her voice low. They want you captured and taken to the mainland for questioning.
Veridian felt scared. It had worked—the Directorate thinks the data's useless.
Lyra got closer, whispering. I can kill you right now. But the Cinder has parts for the mainland grid—parts the Directorate needs. If I bring you back alive, I get credit for catching a 'bad guy.' If I kill you, I get the Manifest.
She looked at Garth. You're worth something, Veridian. But you're a pain. I have stuff to deliver.
Lyra paused, thinking hard. I won't kill you. I'll take you to the mainland, under guard. The Directorate can deal with the Anti-Abacus. Crew: Tie up the Captain and the Operator. Get the engineer to the medbay. He is hurt but an asset.
The trap had closed. They were saved, but now prisoners on a Syndicate ship with a smart, suspicious new captain.