Planatae

Honesty

With the threat of the Purists addressed, there was no reason for Lukas to further damage the ship. So instead of breaking through the hull to board, the sub surfaced alongside the ship, next to the hole the fighter had punched.

Those who were able-bodied, or whose injuries were non-life threatening, boarded under the watchful supervision of Aurrum. The sub that Aquatime had offered the crew of the Andromeda was a small, cramped thing, but it was enough to ferry the fifty or so people that were to be taken to the resort.

Erin and Aurrum joined them, as well as Lukas and Ricardia. Jasper stayed behind with the critically injured, helping the Andromeda's tiny medical team do what they could. Eventually, they would have to abandon the ship as well, for the battered craft had too many breaches to stay afloat much longer. Still, they would do what they could, and bring those who would manage to stabilize to the resort as well. The first thing Jasper did was contact his own medical team, and request further support.

Since the sub was no longer whisking them away under fire, the craft stayed above the surface as it pulled away from the Andromeda. That meant that the sub's top deck was open for use; a wide, flat expanse with a protective guard that ringed it. Aurrum stood there now, watching as his ship grew smaller with distance. He heard the sounds of footsteps approaching, dull beats of noise against the metallic floor.

He sighed, keeping his attention on the view.

Erin sidled up to him, positioning herself against the protective guard as well. Aurrum spared her a glance, and was struck by the way the woman had her arms draped over the edge, hands dangling out above the water.

"There's something I still don't understand," he said, breaking the silence.

"And what would that be?" Erin's tone was uncharacteristically soft.

"The thing that started this all, Ito's S.O.S. message... how did you know? How were you the only one who intercepted it?

"The Communication Department was screening any kind of contact-"

"Don't give me that, Erin. It's an impossible scenario. You somehow involved yourself with the right department, uncovered a single message among the billions flying around space?"

Erin winced. "You know, I came to you for help because I thought you would ask less questions."

Aurrum felt himself smiling. "No, old friend. You came to be because you trust me, despite how much you hoard your little secrets. So for once, just tell me."

Aurrum's gaze was still trained towards the view, but he could imagine her expression. That stormy, considering glare she took on whenever she was faced with a puzzle.

"The truth is," she said finally, "I have no idea how Ito's call was kept classified. It was clear he was desperate enough to make it available to anyone. I suspect that the same force that alerted me to the message was the same one to blame for the censorship."

"Which was?" Aurrum prompted. When she didn't respond immediately, he added a little heat to his tone. Admittedly, much of that anger was genuine.

"Haven't I done enough to prove my commitment, Erin? For Ferrus' sake, I sacrificed my ship for you - my crew! You always do this-"

Erin suddenly surprised him with a laugh. He finally turned to look at her in full, incredulous, but she waved him off.

"You're right, of course," she said after taking a breath. "You're right. Sometime, during all these years, I've learned to keep things so close to my chest."