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Wrong.

She did too.

I corrected myself. “Veil contact.”

That made her straighten. “Here?”

“Not exactly.”

I touched the edge of the terminal.

The screen remained dark.

“It is attempting to open an isolated channel.”

Her gaze shifted toward the door. “Does that mean they found us again?”

“No.” I considered, then amended it. “Not necessarily.”

She gave me a flat look. “That was almost comforting.”

“I am improving.”

I turned back to the terminal.

“What happens if you answer?” she asked.

“If I accept the connection, they may be able to confirm this terminal is active,” I said. “They should not receive location data because the network is segmented and externally routed, but there is risk.”

“How much?”

“Low.” I continued before she could ask. “If I do not answer, we learn nothing.”

“And if you do?”

“They may try to trace us.”

“Can you cut the connection fast enough?”

“Yes.”

“You’re sure?”

“No.”

Talia looked at the terminal for several seconds.

Then at me.

“What do you want to do?”

The question landed oddly.

Not what should we do.

What did I want?

“I want to answer.”