Chapter 4.3 Signals in the Wake

Virel turns to the others, considering Voss’s report for a moment before speaking.

"From Voss’s comments, the sooner we speak with Verik, the better, though we may need to speak to the rest before we are done. I suggest we send a short message requesting a secure conference at his earliest convenience. No urgency. We do not want to appear rushed."

He folds his hands behind his back.

"In the meantime, we should decide what we intend to ask and what we intend to reveal. I am open to suggestions. To me, our true priority is learning the location and condition of Dominicus and the others, without making that priority obvious. And once we know that, we should be prepared to quickly move forward. It would be optimistic to assume we can work entirely within the tribal system and secure their release through negotiation alone."

His expression hardens slightly.

"It would be prudent to plan for extraction options as well. Any other thoughts?"

"The only outstanding mission parameter is the recovery of Dominicus and the crew. While the Scout Service and Imperium in general may have different objectives here, they are all secondary to that and, frankly, I'm not going to lose sleep if we have to make life difficult for some other diplomat later on. They'll be much better off with Dominicus' report. Which of course means we need to locate them so that we have the option of extraction, albeit as a last resort. We need to identify who has them and why they are still being held, which means we need Verik, or someone else with access and good lines of communication with the tribes."

"My instinct is to avoid lying to Verik while trying to limit how much we give him to share with others. Maybe we make the contact in Ironhand uniform, not Scouts. We admit to Imperial ties and see if he lets us know that there are Imperials here. Of course if he's caught on that we've been talking to Voss, that ruse might not work."

The low hum of the Azure Voyager’s crew lounge is broken by a soft chime from the communications console. Bohdie’s display flickers, then stabilizes as an incoming signal resolves—strong, deliberate, and unmistakably directed. The system flags it as a tri-vid transmission request, encrypted at a commercial level but cleaner than the usual merchant traffic. The source identifier populates a moment later: Free Captain Jalen Verik — Star’s Mercy.

The feed does not immediately open. Instead, a short preamble packet arrives first—text and handshake protocol—polite, measured, and carefully worded.

"Unidentified vessel operating in the Marinagua system—this is Captain Jalen Verik of the Star’s Mercy. I assume you’ve had a moment to consider the local situation. It tends to become clearer the longer one observes… and more complicated at the same time."

A brief pause in the transmission, as if intentionally giving space before continuing.

"I also assume by now you’ve heard from at least one or two of my colleagues. They are… enthusiastic when something new appears in their operating area. As am I, though I prefer to keep my curiosity structured."

The message shifts slightly in tone—not more urgent, but more pointed.

"If your intentions involve trade, access, or discussions with the tribes, I would recommend we move this conversation to a more private channel. Not everything benefits from being discussed across the open bands, and I suspect you are already aware that Marinagua has a way of… listening."

Another small pause, then the hook, delivered as if it were simple courtesy.

"I am available for a secure tri-vid exchange at your convenience. No urgency required, but I would not delay overlong. Situations involving offworld visitors—past or present—have a tendency to evolve once multiple parties begin taking interest."

The final line is almost conversational.

"If you are still interested in speaking, I will hold this channel open."

The transmission ends without flourish, leaving behind a silent request for connection authorization.

For a moment, no one speaks. The implication is clear enough without being stated: Verik is not the only one watching, and whatever window exists to shape the conversation is not going to remain open indefinitely.


Edrin shifts his stance, eyes moving between Virel, Chaala, Bohdie, and Wilber. He lets the silence sit just long enough to matter, then exhales slightly.

"Well…" he says, tilting his head toward the console. "What do you want to do?"

"I doubt we can constrain who will know we're speaking with him, but we should be able to encrypt strong enough to delay anyone understanding what we're discussing. Acknowledge our existence and that we're from out of system. Let him know we're interested in understanding the situation on the ground, but not yet why. That we might be open to an arrangement for a local guide. Let him tell us what he might want in return." Chaala speaks quietly but directly. "Ultimately, your call Virel."

Virel turns to the others. "It appears one of the captains is somewhat more than curious about us. Let us hear what he has to say. I suggest the rest of you remain out of view. Chaala should join me on screen and in Ironhand uniforms. We need not speak of them. Let him draw his own conclusions."

Virel retrieves an Ironhand jacket, if he is not already wearing one, and settles into position beside Chaala. As soon as all is ready, he inclines his head toward Edrin. "Please open the channel."

When the screen comes alive and Verik appears, Virel offers only the faintest smile, his expression otherwise unreadable. "This is Virel Kilmire," he says, then gestures lightly toward the woman beside him. "And Captain Chaala Angushlii of the Azure Voyager."

A measured pause follows.

"We appreciate your reaching out. From what we have observed, the situation on the ground appears as delicate as you suggested."

His eyes remain steady on Verik.

"Any additional context would be of value. And if local guidance proves necessary, we would be interested in hearing your thoughts."

Chaala puts on her best "this is serious business" face and silently supports Virel.

The console emits a soft tone as Virel’s authorization is accepted. The outgoing signal compresses, encrypts, and tightens into a narrow-band beam. For a brief moment, the system displays a cascading handshake exchange—layered cipher negotiation, rotating keys, and protocol alignment. The encryption suite stabilizes at a level consistent with high-grade commercial traffic, the kind used by well-equipped independent operators. The final handshake resolves cleanly.

Bohdie’s screen confirms it quietly: secure channel established.

A half-second later, the tri-vid feed activates.

Captain Jalen Verik appears seated in a well-lit command space aboard the Star’s Mercy. The background suggests a working bridge rather than a showpiece—functional displays, active readouts, and a crew that knows its business. Verik himself is composed, attentive, and very clearly studying the two figures now on his screen.

His eyes take in Virel first, then shift—just briefly—to Chaala. There is the faintest flicker of recognition as he notes the uniforms. Not one of the standard offworld patterns he has seen move throughthe Verstand-Jugartha Colonies, and not the same as the Scout markings he observed on Voss. Something structured, something deliberate, but unfamiliar. The observation is filed away without comment, but it is not missed.

When he speaks, his tone is measured and professional, carrying the cadence of someone used to negotiating across uncertain ground.

"Captain Kilmire. Captain Angushlii. I appreciate you accepting the channel."

He inclines his head slightly, acknowledging them both.

"You are correct in your assessment. ‘Delicate’ is one way to describe the situation. ‘Layered’ might be another. There are multiple interests at work here, and not all of them align… even when they appear to."

Verik leans back just slightly, giving the impression of space rather than pressure.

"As for context—yes, I can provide some. General conditions, how the tribes interact with offworld traffic, what tends to be tolerated and what tends to… create friction."

A brief pause follows, not hesitation, but calculation.

"Guidance is also possible, if it becomes necessary. Though I find it is best to determine whether it is necessary before committing to it."

His gaze remains steady, but there is a subtle shift now—less introductory, more direct.

"That said, I prefer clarity when I can get it. You’ve positioned yourselves as professionals, and I will respond in kind."

Another small pause, just long enough to make the next question land with intent.

"What exactly are you looking for?"

He does not press further. No follow-up, no elaboration. The question is left open, deliberate and controlled, inviting an answer but not chasing one.

The channel remains stable, the encryption holding firm, the connection clean.

And Verik waits.

Bohdie scratches his head. If he had done this, he might have left all uniforms out. But now the fly is officially unzipped and he wonders how he can help. Then, "Tell him you are looking into new markets for a client who was formally well placed but has desired to relocate to newer trading grounds."

Wilbur shakes his head slightly. He leans toward Virel, voice low and level.
"Tell him the truth. He'll find out soon enough — men like Verik always do. Better to appear trusting than to be caught dancing around it. And if we keep beating around the bush, we get no answers and lose his respect in the same breath."

He leaves it there. Not his call to make.

Bohdie shoots a glance over to Wilbur instantly. Under his breath, he whispers dangerously, "That would have worked 10 minutes ago, before this charade. Now, it will be changing the story." Bohdie turns back to his panel, minding the feed.

To himself, he whispers,

While Verik speaks, Virel remains outwardly focused on the screen, his expression unreadable. Beneath the edge of the console, one hand taps quietly across a concealed datapad, opening a text channel for the others should they wish to offer guidance without interrupting the exchange.

With one hand Virel taps a brief note onto the datapad resting below the camera line: "Trading? No. Verik would know. Recovery, but not the reason why?"

When Verik finishes, Virel allows only the briefest pause. He glances casually at the datapad, as if pausing to gather his thoughts, giving the others a final moment to offer direction before he responds.

Bohdie types out, Hrut might really have set up trade here, but tell him whatever you want.

Chaala, being on screen, can't type out advice so keeps quiet and trusts her team.

Virel looks away for a moment, as if considering the question. In truth, his eyes flick briefly across the datapad and the words from the others. He makes a slight nod, as if having decided upon his words.

He looks back to Verik, a faint, controlled smile returning. "Just Virel Kilmire will do."

A small measured pause.

"We were sent to follow up on an earlier offworld arrival in this system. Before we take any action, we’re assessing the situation. From what we’ve observed, that situation is… layered. You appear to understand how it functions. That is why we’re speaking."

Verik studies Virel for a moment longer than before, as if weighing the answer against something unspoken. Then he nods slowly.

"That is… a clearer statement of intent."

"Yes, there were offworlders who arrived some months ago. They entered through the usual channels, engaged with local elements, and—whether through misunderstanding or miscalculation—found themselves in conflict with established customs. That tends to create situations that do not resolve quickly."

He pauses briefly, fingers tapping once against the arm of his chair.

"You are correct that the situation is layered. It involves more than one tribe, more than one set of interests, and more than one interpretation of what ‘resolution’ looks like."

His gaze sharpens slightly, more focused now.

"I can provide information. But I do not do so in a vacuum. Context matters. Intent matters. And how you intend to involve yourselves matters most of all."

A small pause follows, deliberate.

"So before we go any further, I would prefer to meet you in person."

He leans back slightly, tone still calm but now unmistakably firm.

"Once I understand your direction—what you are willing to do, and what you are not—I can give you a more accurate picture of the situation."

Another pause, then a shift to something more practical.

"When you come down, I recommend you land within the commercial pads adjacent to my vessel. The starport is… observed. Arrivals are noted, and patterns are interpreted. Landing near a known operator gives your presence a context that is easier for others to process—and less likely to attract the wrong kind of attention."

His expression remains composed.

"It also allows me to receive you directly, rather than having you navigate the initial layers of protocol without guidance."

A faint, almost conversational tone returns.

"So the immediate question is not which tribe you need to speak with."

A beat.

"It’s how you intend to arrive—and how visible you want to be when you do."

He lets that settle.

"I can have a berth prepared near the Star’s Mercy. When you are ready, signal your approach, and I will ensure you are received."

The channel remains steady, Verik waiting—not impatiently, but with the quiet expectation that the next move now belongs to them.

Virel turns to Chaala to see if she would like to respond, otherwise, he will continue.

Chaala favors the Captain with a smile. "Your offer is appreciated. With the situation as 'layered' as you say, it is best to get some pleasantries out of the way while before we announce ourselves to the world and make manifest what they already suspect. Clearly, misunderstanding the situation could lead to difficulty as others have already found, so saying somethings out loud that might otherwise be unsaid is worthwhile. We appreciate your offer and would love to know what we can arrange so that we don't become yet another layer and so that our imminent arrival can benefit all parties involved."

Her question is direct enough to be clear, but vague enough to be shaped by Verik's experience: 'What do you get out of this?'