Heard the servos behind me and knew I’d overplayed it. I grew up with Kelton, knew he wasn’t gonna let it go. It was just a matter of time before he tipped them off. Should’ve left when I had the chance. Hell… Should’ve stayed Sol-side in the first place, instead of listening to that voice inside my head—my bad angel. Definitely ain’t listening now. “Run!” it keeps screaming in my ear. But I ain’t never been that stupid. When a synth’s got a gun in your face, you’re out of options. There’s no reasoning with it, no bribes to offer. You ain’t finding any sympathy for your down-luck sob story, and you damn sure can’t run fast enough. Nah… Even the dumbest fool knows when a synth’s pointing a gun in your face, all you can do is be glad it was told to bring you in alive. Because if it hadn’t, you’d already be dead.

“Wilam Taine, by order of the Arcovan High Council, I am to deliver you to Starbase Kiva, where you will be charged and stand trial for treasons against the realm. Your peaceful cooperation is preferred. Will you comply?”

“Yeah,” I said, hands raised. “I’ll comply.” For now.

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