"Syndicate, how long until we reach our destination?"

I am on another new ship provided by Armada. If I was the conspiracy type, I would find it rather odd that Armada was able to keep providing such high-end technology and space crafts, for this "secret" mission.

However, sometimes, the less you know, the better. Regardless of the how or why of it, I have decided to enjoy the conveniences that come with a nice ship along with some good food again.

"Two days, six universal hours, thirty-eight minutes and two-point six seconds."

Right.

Bloody A.I. Does she have to be so specific?

I would have been satisfied with a mere two days. Rolling my eyes I stretch out a long feeling my joints crack before standing up out of my co-pilot chair.

Britt is the better pilot, so even though I am the senior officer, he gets the driver's seat. He's around somewhere. Last I had seen him he had said something about double-checking security settings and reprogramming our automatic defence systems.

After my last little visit to the planet of death, and leaving at gunpoint, I am OK with this idea.

"Thank you Syndicate. How have you been anyways? Want to tell me your rescue story?"

"Umm... Not sure that is appropriate Marshal Zea." Whoa, is the A.I. embarrassed? That's weird.

"It's ok Syndicate. If you are ever bored and feel like sharing, let me know." I can't help the smile.

Technology from Quantum 4 is incredible. I am honestly starting to wonder if Syndicate is a real sentient entity.

Stretching one more time as I stand I look around the ship again.

One thing I still wasn't filled in on yet, and has been driving me crazy, is what had happened to the survivors we had saved from Earth?

No one had bothered to let me know if they had been successfully integrated into new colonies or given a new planet, or what? I feel the need to know. After all, I had invested years of my life trying to save the damnable species. It would be nice to know it hadn't been in vain.

Too long had I been on the damnable planet waiting for Armada to decide the time had been right to come and get us. Many men had died at the hands of Zu'Lar and we had buried far more casualties than I wanted to remember.

Looking around I am reminded how happy I am to be off Mr. Talki'ser's ship.

I keep seeing the image from Ufrik's mind of the insignia on the side of the ship. It isn't quite clear in my mind's eye but something about it nags at me.

I will figure it out soon. I have a gut feeling it will help me find Ufrik later. For now, I need to find out what had happened to all of my men and the humans we had hopefully saved.

I head down the short corridor to the common room finding Britt bent over a plate of food. It smells good. Maybe I will take a quick pit stop before I satisfy my curiosity.

"Hey, Britt. How's the grub?" Ismile at his full cheeks as he tries to swallow far more food than is polite.

"How the stars do they make it taste so good?"

I have the same question. Smiling a little more I walk over to the hydrating station. What do I pick? Screw supper do they have dessert?

"Zea?" Britt's voice holds a cautious warning, "You know you'll regret just eating dessert. You will wake up starving in the middle of the night, grumpier than my grandma on her birthday."

Damn. He is right. How had he known?

My finger hovers over the button. The last time I had indulged in sweets and skipped supper we had been on our way to Norkeeny, a small little planet in need of food supplies due to its severely cold dry winter months.

We had been carrying some fancy Octnarr desserts for the political leaders. Another corrupted planet if you asked me but none of my business either way. However, the desserts were something else. No idea what is in them but they melt in your mouth like air and tastes like warm spiced honey. It is heaven.

Unfortunately I had woken up that night so hungry and ornery that I had scared half the crew to death and left Britt laughing at me for weeks. It hadn't been that funny.

My body is used to burning a lot of calories in a day and feeding it empty calories before bed had been a huge mistake.

"How did you know? Your back is to me?"

"I can still hear some of your thoughts."

Seriously? Shit.

"Seriously."

I feel more that hear his mental chuckle at my startled squeak upon hearing him answer my private thought.

For some reason, I can't seem to control what thoughts Britt hears or didn't hear. It is the weirdest thing. Before my meltdown and waking up on Mr. Talki'ser's ship, I had never sent my thoughts out to anyone. Well, at least not without concentrating and intentionally forcing them on the person.

Somehow Britt now had a direct line to my inner monologue. Thankfully, he appears to be the only one.

I had tested it with some of the locals at the Arnis Space station. We had stopped there to pick up a package sent by Armada.

Equipment Britt had requested specifically to beef up our security on the ship after he had done his own inspection. Sica had "regretted" informing us she did not have any extra supplies or equipment on hand at that time. So she had promised to have the items sent to the nearest space station, for pick up on our way to Earth.

Turning around in his chair Britt wore his trademark smirk at my frustration. With both the desire to eat food I shouldn't and not being able to stop him from knowing my every thought.

Cheeky bastard. Letting out a heavy sigh I turn back to the food-hydrator. I hit the button for a traditional Dukri supper. We all deal with greif different. Personally food has never let me down.

It's a spiced meat, a root vegetable of some kind and delicious bread with a spicy honey spread. It's a compromise.

"What were you on your way to do anyway?" Britt catches my eye and I know he is onto me.

"What are you talking about?" I shrug. But I know there is no point in trying to pretend it was nothing. He knows me too well.

"When you were coming down the hall you had your determined look on your face. I know that look. It's your 'on a mission' face."

His eyebrows are raised, and he gives me a challenging look. Daring me to lie. Having no control over what thoughts Britt hears means trying to hide my true intentions would be just ridiculous.

I may never want to have deep dark secrets between us ever again, but did he really need to know my every waking thought? I have to force myself not to groan.

I let out an exasperated sigh instead. Stars.

"I want to read Armada's official report on the Humans rescue mission."

Britt had avoided talking about it the entire time we had been on this ship so far.

Sica had also avoided it when we had been shipping out. I had tried to ask but she had brushed me off claiming to be extremely busy and late for a meeting in Sector three.

My instincts were telling me they were delaying telling me something. Britt trying to protect me until I was fully recovered and Sica just not wanting to deal with me.

Britt gives me a funny look.

"Britt, you never told me what happened after Armada rescued everyone from Earth? Was the mission a success? Where the Human's given a new life?" Nadia's worried face flashes in my mind. Not sure why but that woman still haunts my memory just like my sister does.

The air in the room instantly gets thin. He doesn't like that question for some reason. I feel my face scrunching in confusion.

Clearing his throat Britt stands up taking his dishes to the recycler. Letting out a heavy breath he turns to face me. Britt likes to face things he doesn't want to do but has to, head-on.

"I cannot tell you everything. Sorry, Zea. Most of the humans have been successfully relocated and are slowly adapting to their new lives. Some chose to have their memories wiped. Not being able to handle the concept of space travel they didn't want to remember even leaving Earth mind you being moved. Others took the opportunity given to them by Armada to further their education and join Armada, either in the military or one of the other factions."

"So what is it you cannot tell me, Britt?" It comes out quietly on a shallow breath as I feel my heart rate increase slightly.

What the hell could he be leaving out? My jaw muscles flex.

"All I can say is there was an incident with one of the groups rescued last minute. They had not been brought into the compounds yet. But the rest is classified. I don't even know the details. You will have to ask Sica if you need to know."

Nadia! Shit!