FABIA STEPPED THROUGH the open door onto the bridge of Aurelia’s ship just as Aurelia returned. Knowing her Mistress as well as she did, Fabia also knew this was a time to wait silently until given permission to speak. She watched Aurelia, knowing from her posture that much was running through the operative’s clever mind.
Fabia waited while Aurelia finished adding her thoughts to a parchment. The operative would enter information, pause as if rethinking what she had just written, enter more, and pause again. This pattern of writing and pausing continued for nearly an hour before Aurelia looked up and motioned Fabia to proceed onto the bridge. Fabia spoke first.
“These Hans – they trouble you.” It was more a statement than a question.
Aurelia placed the parchment down on the arm of her c
