Chapter 52

***This article contains spoilers.***

## Highlights

* The team arrives in Port Megara to meet Calara's brother, Dylan. They find out about Trankarans firing on each other, and head to Trankaran Space.
* Rachel and Dana name Irillith's AI Faye.
* John starts acting cold to Alyssa, and arrogant and dominating to Irillith. He convinces Chancellor Niskera the best course of action is for them to have him assassinate the Glowing Queen, in return for military-grade engine schematics.

## Summary

They arrive in Port Megara, the biggest outpost along the border with Trankaran Space. They met Calara's brother, Dylan, in the docking bay. They had an huge audience of people hoping get a glimpse of the Lion of the Federation. As Dylan led them across the plaza to go somewhere for a private chat, they were met with rippling cheer and clapping. Apparently their defeat of the Armored Cobras had just been mentioned on the news [50].

They arrived at the Port Megara’s Officers’ Lounge on Deck 27. Dylan notes that Calara's changed from her old self, who would've been frightened by the large crowd; instead, she was playing the crowds. Calara tells Dylan the real story behind their defeat of the Armored Cobras [49], as opposed to the spun story [51].

John asks Dylan about the stories of Trankarans firing on each other, and shooting at merchant ships. Dylan told him about a merchant who died in the ER after telling them he was interdicted by a Trankaran frigate before they were even in Trankaran Space.

In the Engineering Bay with Rachel, Dana grows frustrated trying to get Onyxium to create a permanent lattice with Maliri crystals. When Rachel and Dana kiss, a purple, four-inch-tall female sprite appears and asks them what they're doing.

John, Alyssa, and Calara talk to Base Commander Mary Tavistock and ask about the Trankaran situation. She says things seem to be escalating, and it's really atypical of the laid-back species. After the attack in Terran Space, she received a call from Ambassador Gamrik, begging not to retaliate and to talk to Chancellor Niskera, the head of their government. Niskera said that it was a rebel group committing acts of terrorism.

Alyssa and Calara do not think the recent odd behavior of the Trankarans is a coincidence.

The bald Trankaran ambassador came by and John asked him about the ambassador to the Maliri (Chapter 47). Ambassador Khemmerlun's "spark has been extinguished" when he was killed in a rebel ambush, but Gamrik told him to see Niskera.

Tavistock asked John how he won the Siege of Galon Prime, outnumbered three to one: They were ambushed on the way to Galon Prime, and had to repulse a brutal boarding action. They captured one of their cruisers in a counter-attack, and used that ship to sneak close to the battleship leading the siege. John led over 200 men in that boarding action, and only 17 of them survived, but they killed the leaders, and the besieging forces routed.

Rachel and Dana try to explain the kiss to the AI. She doesn't have a name so they name her Faye.

John, Alyssa, and Calara return to the Invictus and meet Faye, who tells him Irillith liked to watch them having sex.

After having sex, John’s thoughts drifted to the upcoming meeting with the Trankarans, and Alyssa was abruptly blocked from his mind.

They arrive in the Beta Cephei system in Trankaran Space to meet with Niskera. Warden Dalomherlig hails them and directed them to a massive battleship, Kerhom's Anvil.

When Alyssa asked why Irillith was coming to the meeting, John's eyes narrowed and said he doesn't want her causing trouble, and Alyssa was blocked from his mind again, as had become the norm. John starts acting cold to Alyssa, and arrogant and dominating to Irillith.

Associate Bhaken meets them and takes them to Niskera and her senators. John introduced Irillith as a Maliri, shocking everyone. "*Such secrets aren’t necessary any more. I have a feeling the Maliri will soon be well known around the galaxy.*"

Niskera introduces John to the Naval Commander, Fleet Warden Thandrun, and Vamred, Senator of Internal Affairs.

Niskera tells John about the rebel faction united under the Glowing Queen, who set up residence in the old Senate building in their capital city, The Radiant Palace. John asked why she doesn't just crush the rebellion, and execute the ringleaders. Niskera doesn't want to cause any death. John convinces them the best course of action is for them to have John assassinate the Glowing Queen, in return for military-grade engine schematics.

A brooding figure, frustrated at not being able to catch John, received a video of John in the crowd at Port Megara. “*You’re mine now*,” he gloated with an evil grin.