Chapter 9 · Recovered Asset

"Cyrus Vale."

The intercom crackled before he could touch the door. Not the automated voice from before. Human. Calm. The kind of calm that means you've already lost.

"Former combat medic, third platoon. Discharged without leave six years ago. Current occupation—ink forger. Black market specialty."

Cyrus froze. His hand was still on the door handle. The bolts had slammed home ten seconds ago. Heavy. Final. The kind of sound that means you're not getting out unless someone on the other side wants you out.

"Who the hell is this?"

"Captain Rhys Tarrow." A pause. "I believe we've spoken."

The blood drained from Cyrus's face.

Rhys. His old CO. The man he'd left bleeding on a transport dock six years ago when he ran.

"You're dead," Cyrus said.

Rhys laughed. It wasn't a warm sound. "No. Just transferred. You, on the other hand, are very much in my jurisdiction now."

Cyrus spun back toward the holding room. Kael was still in there. Still locked in. The suppression field hummed through the walls.

"You've been traveling with a recovered military asset," Rhys continued. "Blood ink war-bound. Designation Kael Thorne. Flagged AWOL. Marked for retrieval."

"She came to me like that," Cyrus said.