Page 123

“Orun.”

“I left intelligence because I enjoy waking up without someone attempting to interrogate me.”

“You left because you were medically discharged.”

“That is less dramatic.” A pause. I heard fabric shift over the line, as if he had turned away from the receiver. “Check it yourself.”

“I cannot access the routing logs anymore.”

“You gave up access when you died, yes. Tragic.” Another pause. “Ask your handlers.”

“I did. Twice.”

The shifting stopped. “You asked twice and got nothing?”

“Nothing.”

“That is not normal.” He went quiet for a moment. “What designation?”

“Check the designation.”

Another silence.

Then he said, “Send it.”

I transmitted only the external mission number.

Nothing tied directly to Talia. Nothing connected to the records.

I would not expose her identity unless necessary.

The response took longer this time. I heard Orun moving, then a door closing, followed by the faint activation of another system.

“What channel issued this?” he asked.

“I cannot tell you.”

“Then I cannot help.”

“You can.”

“I dislike when you decide what I can do.”

“Talia says the same thing.”

The words left my mouth before I considered them.

Silence. Longer this time.

Orun’s voice changed. “Who is Talia?”

I stared at the communicator.

Across the room, she looked at me. Her eyebrows rose.

“No one relevant,” I said.

Talia’s expression became offended.