Chapter 10 · The Ghost Relay

The command deck went black.

For three seconds, the fleet existed only as breathing, machinery, and the small metallic click of Sera Vale’s pistol settling into a firing position.

Then emergency strips along the floor blinked awake, painting everyone’s boots in a thin red glow.

Evan’s hand tightened around the edge of the navigation console. Pain flared through his shoulder, hot and wet beneath the bandage. Across the deck, Sera stood with her weapon lowered by an inch, not enough to be safe, not enough to be mercy. Her face was pale from blood loss and exhaustion, but her eyes remained sharp.

On the dead central display, one line of text pulsed in amber.

NOT THE RIFT, EVAN.

THE DECISION.

Mara Quill swore under her breath. “That terminal had no external power.”

Oren Cade slammed a diagnostic slate against the side of the console. “Nothing on the local grid. Nothing on auxiliary. The whole system just pulled current from somewhere it shouldn’t exist.”

“Can you bring it back?” Sera asked.

“I can bring back the lights.” Oren’s fingers flew over the slate. “The ghost system is another problem.”

A low vibration passed through the deck.