595 remained silent, waiting until Vreta left before jumping out of the shower. Her suit closed and locked the cabin door as the Agent stalked back into her sleeping area with a towel around her middle. Her skin was pink from the hot water, which now dripped down her face and legs onto the floor.

She stared at the floor for a long time, just thinking to herself. A whirlwind of ideas and possibilities raged around her. Then, very deliberately, she looked back at the suit of armour that was standing to attention in front of her. “Show it to me again.” She ordered.

The suit held out a hand, palm up, and a small holo projector flipped out. It shone a 3D map of the galaxy into the air all around them, filling the room. Though incomplete and damaged, as if ripped straight from someone’s memory, it was still stunningly detailed in places. Hundreds of alien symbols danced above celestial bodies, including some that were larger and more urgent looking.

[hr]Early the following day, once everyone had had a chance to recuperate, an urgent meeting was called to discuss next steps. A large conference room near the bridge was made up to link the Barbarossa, Outremer and Rothia together.