“You are welcome.” She strode away, shoulders straight, hands clasped firmly behind her back as she rounded the corner.
Cavalon finished the rest of his water, and, feeling particularly energetic, strode out into the hallway to look for Puck. Warner and the two circitors still kept watch at the end of the corridor. The older, male circitor with wild red hair elbowed the blond female circitor as Cavalon approached.
Warner nodded in greeting. “Hey there, princeps. You met Circitors Erandus and Murillo?”
“I have not,” he said, giving the pair a courteous nod.
The stocky, red-haired Erandus quirked a brow at Warner. “This the guy? The royal?”
“Aw, come on.” Cavalon glared at Warner. “I thought we were buddies.”
Warner narrowed his eyes. “Buddies?”
“You know, like comrades in arms. We survive battle together, then we don’t share secrets about each other?”
Warner stared placidly at him.
Cavalon frowned. “That meant nothing to you, did it?”
“Are those tats like Rake and Bach’s?” Erandus asked.
“Uh, I’m not sure, actually,” Cavalon said. “Wait, who’s Bach?”
“He flies the Tempus.”
Oh, right. The “hunky” centurion. The other Titan.
“Which family are you from?” Murillo asked. “My cousin once dated a Saxton—said they’re all total narcissists.”
“That’s true.” Cavalon gave a sharp nod.
“Oh, what about Watts?” Erandus asked. “A guy I dated at basic had an uncle who worked for Watts Automation. Said they were obsessed with ‘keeping the bloodlines clean.’ All kinds of incest.”
“Uh, yeah. Also, true.” Cavalon diverted his gaze. They were narrowing down the families pretty quick. It might be best to get out before the process of elimination prevailed.
To his surprise, Warner gave reprieve. “Come on, guys, we don’t need to grill the guy. What’dya need, princeps?”
“I’m looking for Circitor Puck.”
Warner pointed down the hallway behind him. “Control room’s ’bout fifty meters down, on the left.”
“Thanks, big guy.” Cavalon gave Warner a pat on the back, then headed into the hall. Fifty meters down on the left, he peeked his head through the doorway.
Rake stood with her arms crossed beside Jackin, who leaned over a terminal, swiping away at the holographic display.
Puck sat at a terminal on the opposite side of the triangular platform, leaned back in his chair, resting both hands atop his head, eyes heavy and bloodshot. “We should have a plan B,” he said.
“I had them stockpile warp cores,” Jackin replied. “We’ll need quite a collection if we end up having to warp to Eris Gate.”
“Will there be enough?” Rake asked.
“Enough acium, yes. Enough cores? I don’t know. There’s a starboard fuel depot as well, we might find more empty cores there.”
“Let’s wait until we can coordinate a full team to head that far into the station,” Rake said. “Everyone needs to get some rest first. For now, let’s stay focused on getting a hold of the Legion.”
“Rake…” Jackin began.
“What?”
Jackin continued carefully. “They abandoned this gate and didn’t even tell us.”