Page 12 of Stars in Halo

Mirage’s stare swung to the table.

Where the mysterious Iccythrian woman’s gemstones were scattered.

By those jewels. I think.

He knifed upright and leaned in, eyes locked on the sparkling stones. How?

Having interacted with my hand, those gems are siphoning our systems’ side-band data, capturing it electromagnetically, regardless of my shielding. It’s a freakin’ potent hack, and I’m attempting to shut it down.

Is the data being transmitted elsewhere?

Naam. I can’t locate the destination; I’m trying to.

Isn’t our threat level one of the highest in Pegasi?

Tis. Whatever these gems are is beyond my purview, but I’m analysing them as fast as possible.

A beat later, Mirage continued, her voice sounding far off and cold. I see what we have here. The gems are a perfect delivery platform for specialised nanites programmed to form virtual networks and launch various penetration attempts against the system and its components. They’re also providing a wireless power source for the nanites and transmitting data like mad. I’ve got our Sable metanoids fighting them, and trust me, the battle is epic.

Xion leaned in. ‘I’ll go after her,’ he growled. ‘While you find out what the fokk is going on and shut down this physical and nanite revelry.’

Without hesitation, Xion pushed his remaining chips into the centre of the table. ‘Wish me luck.’

He nodded to Mirage and then stalked from the dim-lit room.

The landing outside the salon was empty.

However, his meta-gaze zoned in on a svelte figure in ebony black sashaying away in the distance.

She’d made it to the atrium at the ground level and was headed towards the exit.

Her unsteadiness caused her to almost slide and slip on her heels, but each time, she righted herself, averting a fall.

He moved down the ornate staircase in a high-velocity chase after the lush Iccythrian beauty.

She stepped onto the pavement on the busy night avenue, walking with stiff elegance and care to the kerb.

Raising a hand to hail a fly cab, settling with some grace into the first one that hovered to a stop.

But not before Xion, moving at meta speed like a whisper of wind, ghosted to her side, undetected.

He flung a cloud of unseen cybernetic markers over her sleek crown and moved back into the shadows in milliseconds.

The hire flyer pulled out and disappeared into the bustling city with its labyrinthine streets.

Fortuna’s Grace

Eden II’s space terminal was clean and bright, with expansive steel and ultra-performance architecture that set it off like a jewel on the edge of the metropolis’ dome.

The gateway was high-tech and futuristic, designed to create a seamless and efficient travel experience.

It offered many amenities and services, from fine dining and luxury shopping to charging stations, oxygenated detox sleep cabins, cafes, and small goods shops.

Delivering endless relaxation and entertainment while travellers waited for or disembarked from their flights.

Xion’s flyer manoeuvred past the terminus packed with full berths, where Allorian and Dunian merchant ships were moored alongside elegant Rhesian pinnaces.

A myriad of flyers milled about.

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