Chapter 12

Perihelion discovers the damaged Barish-Estranza supply transport in the system and establishes comm contact with Supervisor Leonide. After learning that Eletra is aboard and speaking with her about her capture by the Targets, Arada agrees to board the transport for an in-person meeting despite the crew's objections. Perihelion decides to accompany her, disguised as a university-provided security unit.

Perihelion detects the Barish-Estranza supply transport showing weapons damage inconsistent with Perihelion's own systems, indicating it was attacked by another vessel. The crew debates whether to answer the transport's comm hails. After determining that the transport's systems are functional and poses no immediate threat, they decide to establish contact. Supervisor Leonide appears on screen—an augmented human in Barish-Estranza uniform who claims the transport is in distress and questions why the crew is in a claimed system. Arada presents credentials as Dr. Arada from Pansystem University, explaining they have a sustainability evaluation contract. When pressed about the transport's damage, Leonide vaguely mentions "strange activity" and raiders. Arada then reveals they have Eletra aboard, explaining she was captured by raiders and that crew member Ras died before they could help him. Leonide becomes guarded and insists on using a confidential channel, eventually proposing that Arada board the transport for an in-person conference rather than discussing matters over comm. Despite crew objections, Arada accepts. Before the transfer, Eletra speaks to Leonide via comm, confirming her identity and describing her capture by the gray-suited raiders and the mind-altering implants they placed in the captives. She mentions three SecUnits were aboard the explorer but none on the supply transport. Perihelion decides to accompany Arada, planning to pose as a university-provided security unit rather than revealing its true nature. Overse helps Arada prepare to treat Perihelion with appropriate deference as a security contractor. Perihelion changes into a dark blue crew uniform and uses a hair treatment to appear more standard SecUnit-like. The crew remains concerned about the plan as Perihelion and Arada prepare to board the transport.