Chapter 17

While Brynn was still working toward the bottom of the mug she had been nursing, something flickered in Ophelia's image. The projection turned to her.

"Miss Phytrelia, Avenger is reaching out to you."

Brynn blinked, surprised. "Me? Who is it?"

"They are from Commander Darren's staff. They said he is on his way here."

Brynn sat up straighter. "Oh." She blinked again and looked down at the bottom of her mug, as if she might find an answer there. "Okay. Well... what should I do?"

"Shall I signal back that you will be expecting him?"

Brynn hesitated, caught off guard. "What? I mean... yes, I guess so. Sure."

Ophelia tilted her head slightly, as if puzzled by Brynn's hesitance. "He is on his way. Shall I lower the ramp for him when he arrives?"

Brynn stood abruptly, her legs bumping the table as she trapped herself between it and the seat. She took a few steps away before stopping, her mind spinning as if asked to solve a puzzle. "Yes... that sounds fine."

"Very well. Shall I let him know that you will be there to meet him?"

Brynn blinked rapidly, feeling scattered. "I... I don't know. Yes? I'll head over there now."

"Of course. Do you remember the way?"

Brynn shot Ophelia a brief look, her brow furrowed. "Of course I do." A pause. Then, more softly, "But can you show me anyway?"

"Of course, Miss Phytrelia."

Ophelia's image dissolved into soft drops of light and reappeared at the galley's threshold. "This way," she said gently.

Brynn followed her into the corridor, watching as Ophelia appeared and disappeared in short bursts along the way, each time guiding her further.

By the time Brynn rounded the final corner, the ramp was already lowering. Darren was halfway up, accompanied by another man she'd seen with him before, realizing he must have been the one who reached out.

As Darren reached the top, he took Brynn's hand and brushed his lips lightly over her knuckles, as he had done before.

Brynn raised an eyebrow, giving him a look of mild exasperation. "Thanks for that. At least I showered recently."

He chuckled, giving her a warm smile. "Well, you definitely look like your spirits are lifted. You seem to be handling Idris' abduction with more grace than anyone could ask."

Her smile faded a little at the mention of Idris, hitting deeper than she let on. She gave a small, polite nod but said nothing. "Thank you. I just wish I knew what to do with myself now."

Darren studied her for a moment, then perked up as if remembering something. "Actually, that's partly why I'm here. I think I may have an idea of what's next."

Brynn blinked, confused. "What do you mean?"

Darren grinned. "We've had some visitors show up."

Her eyes widened slightly in alarm. "Visitors?"

He raised both hands quickly, laughing a little. "Good ones. The kind we like--well, most of us. Not all." He gave a look as though to imply Johansen, but Brynn missed the reference.

"What do you mean?" she asked again, suspicion lingering.

Darren shrugged, smirking. "Let's just say Captain Johansen isn't thrilled. If she ever figures out who reached out to them, she'll probably have them shot."

Brynn snorted a soft laugh. "Oh? Did they hurt her feelings?"

Darren grinned, scratching the back of his neck. "Something like that. They tried to kill her--with kindness. She's furious. Thankfully, I don't think she'll figure out who called them."

Brynn tilted her head, curious. "Do you know who it was?"

He waved a hand dismissively. "Never mind. Anyway, have you ever met an Ulratian warrior?"

She pursed her lips. He knew who it was. Then her eyes squinted slightly, processing his question a little slower. "A what?"

"Ulratian," he repeated. "Never mind that now. They're here to rescue you."

Brynn blinked. "What do you mean? Rescue me?"

Darren chuckled. "Well, that's probably not the right word. But they're here to offer you something better than sitting here gathering dust."

Brynn hesitated, unsure. "Oh? Like what?"

He smiled at her knowingly, but just shrugged. "If you go with them, you'll probably find out."

She made a face like going anywhere was the last thing she wanted, then shook her head. "But... what about the ship?"

Darren wavered. "Not sure. Maybe they'll let you take it. Maybe not. But wherever you go, it'll be better than this."

Brynn frowned, her fingers fidgeting. "What if I don't want to go?"

He looked at her, genuinely surprised. "Why wouldn't you? You'd rather stay here, waiting?"

She paused, realizing she didn't like either option. "I... I just hadn't thought about it. I've been too busy thinking about what I should do. And... coming up empty."

Darren's smile softened. "Look, I'm telling you--go with them. You won't regret it. Trust me."

Brynn still looked uneasy. Trust him? She barely knew him, but... Idris seemed to trust him, and he'd had their back up until now. "Okay, but who exactly are they? I've never heard of them."

Darren gestured toward the ramp. "You'll see. They're on their way here now."

Her eyes widened. "Now? You couldn't give me more notice?"

He laughed. "Trust me, I didn't get much more notice than you. Captain Johansen's been stalling them--probably trying to make sure you don't get a say in any of this."

Brynn's mouth twisted into a grimace. "Typical."

Darren conveniently avoided agreeing with her. "Anyway, if you want to make a good first impression, now's the time to pull yourself together. They'll be here any second."

Brynn let out a slow breath, nodding. "Fine. What should I do, then?"

Darren shrugged. "Be yourself. You'll be fine."

Brynn gave him a look, then rolled her eyes. "Wow, thank you. That's very helpful. Thank you."

He winked at her and then backed away, down the ramp while still facing her. She half expected him to blow a kiss at her, but he just bowed a little, then turned to walk down the rest of the ramp.

He laughed. "Anytime."

As Darren disappeared down the ramp, Brynn took a steadying breath, bracing herself for whatever -- or whoever -- was about to show up at the bottom of the ramp.

She stood there long after Darren had left, her mind racing.

This was happening. Really happening. Up until now, her entire life had been about survival -- just staying alive. Now... someone, something, was coming for her. Before, that had always meant something bad. But this time... maybe not.

She had no idea what they wanted, but the reassurance Darren left her with wrestled quietly against the gnawing unease in her chest.

Brynn let out a shaky breath and folded her arms tightly across her body, glancing around the ship as though it might offer some clue, some comfort.

Whatever's next, it doesn't seem like something I can run away from.

Her gaze drifted toward the ramp, already bracing for the sound of heavy footfalls -- or whatever these Ulratians sounded like.

Alright. Here we go.