Joseph looked somewhat embarrassed. "This region's stellar coordinates are extremely chaotic. The contamination clouds interfered with all long-range scanning. We encountered several waves of space pirates en route, and got lost in a small gravitational turbulence zone. The navigation system failed temporarily. By the time we recalibrated coordinates and reached here, it was already..."
"Enough." Caelir cut him off. "Just glad you came. Arrange evacuation immediately. Wounded first."
"Yes, Your Highness."
Joseph turned to command his soldiers, and then the second escort ship's hatch opened too.
A figure Elena never expected stepped out.
Vivian Hart.
She wore that white military uniform with a silver-gray warming cloak over it. Her face showed worry and concern as she hu
