𝐀𝐄𝐑𝐈𝐋𝐘𝐍 𝐏𝐔𝐑𝐒𝐄𝐃 𝐇𝐄𝐑 𝐋𝐈𝐏𝐒. They remained sealed, but the way her face twisted revealed everything she was thinking. Yon-Rogg frowned. "If you have something to say—"

"You genuinely believe she'll stay put?" Arilyn asked. The question was rhetorical as they both knew the true answer, but that didn't stop Yon-Rogg from defending his protégée.

"She's rash, but she knows when to follow orders—"

"Like on Torfa?" Arilyn countered. "I like the kid too, but despite her talents there are several flaws that you overlook. Primarily the fact that Vers paves her own path."

"She's a bit obstinate—"

"That's not what I'm saying," Arilyn interrupted. "Yes, that's true, but it's more than just stubbornness. It's a trait hardwired into her personality that she doesn't give up. Ever... And as much as I admire that about her, it often drags her into deeper trouble."

Yon-Rogg opened his mouth to speak; however, the holographic unit to their right beeped. The ship had finally reached the jump-point which meant their fearless leader was to make contact with the accuser.

Yon-Rogg looked equally displeased but did a decent job at hiding it as he answered the call. "Ronan."

"The Accusers have completed their operation," Ronan informed, pausing just long enough for the second half of his mission to dig with intent to injure, "but the greater mission was a failure thanks to your team."

"It was a trap," Yon-Rogg replied. His answer was short yet hostile. "To lure our operative Vers to Torfa and kidnap her."

"Give us the location," Ronan instructed. "We'll take care of the terrorist threat."

"By bombing them out of the galaxy?" Yon-Rogg asked with a skeptical chuckle. "No. We'll handle this."

"A cell of Skrulls anywhere is a threat to Kree everywhere," Ronan countered then asked, "Where are they?"

Korath began to answer his question, "They are..."

"Lost," Yon-Rogg quickly interrupted. "They are lost, for now. But we will find them."

"Do so, or we will." Ronan threatened.

The holograph ended. Yon-Rogg's frown remained but an audible sigh escaped under his breath. He straightened his posture, turning toward Korath with one last instruction before leaving the room. "Maintain the course for C-53."

Arilyn's lips pursed once more. It wasn't unusual for the accuser to make all he faced uncomfortable; however, it was unusual for her to catch Yon-Rogg in the act of lying—especially to a supposed ally. She stood from her seat at the navigation panel and left the room, seeking her cousin.

He wasn't that difficult to find. Especially since Minn-Erva had already done the hard part for her. She assumed that the Kree warrior had grown tired of her cousin's fruitless attempts at flirtatious humor since he was currently bound and gagged yet left in the center of the room.

"I swear if you crack one comment," Arilyn warned as she bent down to untie him. "No matter what you protest, I can say with complete confidence that she is not interested in you."

Ekon pursed his lips. "You're no fun."

"Now, keep quiet," Arilyn instructed. "I want the following conversation to remain between us."

Ekon rolled his eyes, dusting himself off as he stood once untied. "And why is that?"

"Because we're the only two non-Kree beings on this vessel," Aerilyn reminded him before whispering in a hushed tone, "and if we were Kree, the topic treads dangerously close to treason."

Ekon's eyes brightened. "One of my favorite topics."

"Yes, so you've mentioned." Aerilyn rolled her eyes.

A skeptical look crossed Ekon's facial features. "But you've never indulged my thoughts on that topic. Why start now?"

"I've never stopped to think about the information we knew," Aerilyn replied, then with hesitation added, "or more importantly, what we didn't."

"You're speaking in riddles again, cousin," Ekon huffed. "If this is about the Kree war—and I think it is—we've been fighting this war for years now. Why the change of heart?"

Arilyn's eyes shifted back and forth as if she might be overheard. "Have you ever stopped to wonder whether we were fighting on the right side?"

Ekon shook his head. "There are no 'right' or 'wrong' sides in a war, cousin. There are only champions and those who vanquished."

"You've spent too much time around your father," Arilyn muttered under her breath. "And the elders for that matter."

"Which is why we ran off," Ekon reminded her pointedly.

A flip switched in Arilyn's mind as if the topic were sore. Her face slacked then hardened as her eyes flashed with a burning anger. Her fingers trembled until they were clenched into fists. Finally, she shook her head, speaking in a low tone. "We didn't leave or run away. Don't act like it was our decision. We were cast out! The elders believed we were far too naive to properly wield the gifts bestowed upon us—"

"—And once we gain this experience, they said we would be welcomed back with open arms," Ekon interrupted. His flagrant disregard for the consequences should they failed annoyed her to no end. "And what better way to gain experience than by fighting and winning a war? They'll be begging to invite us back to rejoin their little elitist club."

Arilyn slowly nodded her head, allowing that fire to dim as she regained control over her output of emotion. Ekon offered her a sympathetic look—somewhat mockingly as his lips briefly jutted into a pout—then he patted her on the shoulder and strutted toward his post as the ship prepared to exit the jump-point. However, Arilyn's original concerns hadn't left the forefront of her mind. There were too many unknown variables at play: Vers's rash and unpredictable nature currently being the most prominent issue. Should they fail to win the war—or worse, if they were wrong about which side they joined—it was easy to assume they'd never regain their place among the elders of the universe, nor would their practically limitless power be restored.

It was exhausting carrying the secrets of the universe without the power to match, yet she seemed to be the only one really affected. True, her cousin was annoyed every once in a while; however, she'd also heard her him say on multiple occasions that he'd adopted a new outlook on their predicament: fake it 'til you make it. She didn't fully understand the verbiage, but she believed it to be a Terran phrase that implied she only need act like she was her complete, empowered self until that day actually arrived. And therein laid another problem, she'd never been good at lying... not even to herself. Perhaps that's why that sour, sickly feeling remained in her gut as the Helion approached C-53.