Chapter 42

There was a silence in the room that seemed to hold its breath. Selene reiterated with her eyes scanning the crew.

"That's assuming there is someone," Xara replied coolly, crossing her arms. "Everybody in this galaxy has a price, and the Syndicate can outbid anyone."

Selene's jaw clenched. She knew well how Xara could be skeptical. Trust was a dangerous gamble, particularly over something this powerful in their hands.

"We can't just sit on it," Wren said, shaking her head. "The Syndicate's already on our trail. The longer we wait, the harder it'll be to stay ahead of them."

Kade leaned against the table, rubbing his temples. "There's one option… but you're not gonna like it."

Selene narrowed her eyes. "Go on."

"The Regulators," Kade said, his tone reluctant.

The reaction was immediate. Xara snorted. Dante tensed. Even Wren looked uneasy.

They're no better than the Syndicate," Dante said. "They play at being peacekeepers, but they're mercenaries in a pretty name."

"Perhaps," Kade said. "But they despise the Syndicate fully as much as we do. If we offer them the fragment in exchange for protection, it may buy us time."

"Or it may get us killed," Xara said flatly.

Selene weighed the risks. The Regulators were unpredictable, but they were powerful enough to stand against the Syndicate.

"Do we have a contact?" she asked.

Kade hesitated before nodding. "Captain Rhys Callahan. We worked together once. He's not clean, but he's got a code. If anyone would consider dealing with us fairly, it's him."

Selene exhaled. It wasn't a perfect plan, but it was better than nothing.

Set course, she said, "Let's see if we can cut a deal before the Syndicate catches up to us."

\---

The journey to the Regulators' outpost was tight. The people were treading on eggshells; one wrong move would mean disaster.

Dante was in the cockpit with Selene as they approached the asteroid base. The outpost was carved into the rock, hidden within a dense nebula. It was the kind of place only those in the underworld knew how to find.

“Think he’ll even let us dock?” Dante asked.

Kade’s voice came over the comm. “We’ll find out soon enough.”

Selene opened a channel. "This is the Aquila, requesting docking clearance. We need to speak with Captain Callahan."

There was a long pause before a gruff voice responded.

"Aquila, state your business."

"Tell Callahan it's Kade Sinclair," Kade cut in. "He owes me a favor."

Another pause. Then—

"Proceed to Dock 7. And don't try anything stupid."

Dante exhaled. "That's about as welcoming as we're gonna get.

Selene flew the Aquila into the docking bay, the ship settling onto the platform with a soft hiss.

Xara adjusted her holster. "Let's hope this guy really does have a code."

\---

The crew disembarked, stepping into the dimly lit corridors of the outpost. Armed guards lined the walls, their eyes on them with unreadable expressions.

A man stepped forward—tall, broad-shouldered, with a scar running down his jaw. His sharp blue eyes flicked over them before landing on Kade.

"Well, well," Rhys Callahan said, a smirk tugging at his lips. "Didn't think I'd ever see you again."

"Didn't think I'd need to call in a favor," Kade replied.

Callahan's gaze shifted to Selene. "You must be the captain.

Selene nodded. "We have something the Syndicate wants. Something dangerous. We need to make sure it doesn't fall into their hands."

Callahan crossed his arms. "And you think I'm the right person for the job?"

"You're the only one who hates them enough to do the right thing," Kade said.

Callahan studied them, then gestured for them to follow. "Let's talk."

\---

Inside Callahan's private office, Wren placed the portable drive on the table.

This is all that's left of the prototype," she said. "It's incomplete, but even a fraction of it could be weaponized."

Callahan leaned back in his chair, weighing it. "You want me to take it off your hands?"

"We want you to keep it out of the Syndicate's reach," Selene said.

Callahan drummed his fingers on the desk. "I could. But that kind of responsibility comes with a price."

Selene's stomach coiled. "Name it.

Information," Callahan said. "The Syndicate's been moving aggressively lately. If I'm going to pick a fight with them, I need leverage. You've been on