“I want that ship found, Lieutenant. I don’t care if it takes every fighter, gunship and corvette we have. I want the Dunkerque located within the hour. Doverly out.”

Annora waited impatiently for the magneto-lift doors to open. There was one man aboard who could shed light on the events of the last thirty minutes, and he just happened to be locked in the Argent’s brig. When the lift doors opened, a detachment of marines was waiting.

“I’ll put my hands around his neck and leave him just enough air to explain himself,” Commander Doverly muttered. She marched towards the detention deck with the four heavily armed marines from Second Paladins trailing her path. She rounded the corner into the detention section. “Sergeant, open Brig A.”

“Yes ma’am.” The duty sergeant keyed his identifier and the heavy security door released its vapor seal and silently pivoted on its balanced magnetic hinges. The Argent’s Executive Officer strode into the bay where the total prisoner population of one waited.

“Alright colonel, it’s time for answer–”

Atwell’s cell was empty.