Chi-Young stepped into the reassuring bustle of the Mandrake's hanger. Allison hadn't asked him to, but he had been following Silas ever since he came on board the ship. They couldn't afford any setbacks, especially now they had given the go ahead for the operation.

The magnitude of what they had set in motion was dawning on him, but it felt like one of those things that he wouldn't be able to comprehend until they were in it. That was still some way off; now, they had to wait. Allison might struggle with that, but Chi-Young was happy to bide his time.

He took in the sight before him. The hanger was busy given the volume of hopper traffic between the Mandrake and Station B12, but one thing that stuck out through the activity--Silas stood watching him. Chi-Young suppressed a shiver and walked over to make the first move. "Mediator, are you planning a trip over to the station?"

"Captain." Silas looked distracted. "As a matter of fact, I'm preparing for a longer trip."

"Oh?" He tried to keep the hope out of his voice.

"Some trouble aboard the Phoenix Rises."

Could Hamasa have come through already?

Silas continued. "You were flying with them recently?"

"That's right, we ran the operation in the Vale with them. A commander from our ship is seconded there to assist."

"Commander Karn, if my records are correct. The operation wasn't a success though?"

Silas' eyes bored into him. "I think that's a fair assessment, but that was because of the leak that Commander Karn is on the Phoenix Rises to investigate."

"Yes, I've read the report. And I very much look forward to speaking to the Commander when I arrive. What do you make of him?"

"The Commander is... zealous for the Alliance," Chi-Young chose his words carefully. "More so than many I've served with. I think you would get on well with him, Mediator."

"We shall see. Well, I should be on my way. I've told the Admiral to contact me if there is any sign of an attack and I will return. Good luck Captain." Silas strode off towards his hopper.

"Thank you, Mediator," Chi-Young said before whispering thanks to Hamasa under his breath. Whatever she had done on the Phoenix Rises had worked--they were free of Silas. He headed to the mess hall to get dinner in celebration.