The chime was soft and slightly unexpected. On her desk, Ellie’s Comm screen rose slowly and automatically, the Secure Transmission logo spinning on the screen. The incoming call information showing its point of origin as OED V Colony, Colonial Customs and Defense Authority.

Upon acceptance, a face that Ellie thought she’d never see again on the screen, the uniform the brunette former aviator wore was completely different than anything Ellie had seen before.

“Ah, Eleanor, I hope I didn’t catch you at an inconvenient time.”

Admiral Sam Halloway, ACS