116 C: Declaration

Rafaela didn't know which part of the Queen's message to worry about first. The trade that had been made for her, the references to things she couldn't be expected to handle, the instructions to stay away from populated areas, or the fact that Eks Corp Security ships would meet them at the edge of the system.

Brendan immediately responded to his mother's warnings by composing a short inquiry to send back that basically asked, "Why? What happened?" He stopped there, and turned to ask both Rafaela and Adrian, "Want to add any questions? We are already far enough away that it will take over half an hour before we can hear the reply."

Rafaela couldn't help asking, "What does she think I've been rushed into? And what if the Security team she sends…" She couldn't quite bring herself to suggest that Brendan's mother might send people to get rid of her.