Maria met Aligoté’s gaze, and anyone watching them could not possibly miss the way they looked at each other. It had been there, for a while, but it took the final battle against the Entropi for them to acknowledge it.

“Yes, we could,” she echoed. Then she turned back to Fayt, the businesslike undertone returning. “Fayt. Thank you, for having us here. And Nel, too. But I have to ask a couple more favors.”

The blue-haired boy only shrugged. “Sure. Anything for you, Maria.”

“I need you to contact Cliff and Mirage for me. I don’t have my communicator anymore; it was taken when I was drafted, and I wasn’t able to get it back. I don’t need the entire crew, just... them.” Her expression was strange for a moment, like there was something she wanted to say, but quickly decided against it. “And it might be good to let Albel and Sheifa know we’ve arrived.”

“Got it. I’ll send a message to Cliff and Mirage ASAP. And I’ll rig you a communicator while I’m at it — I’ll have it ready by morning.” Fayt grinned, suddenly energetic at the thought of having something to do. “And I’ll have Nel send out the missives to Airyglyph. It’ll take a few days, but they’ll get the message.”

“Thank you, Fayt.”

“Don’t mention it. Now why don’t you two get some rest? Unless you have any more pressing concerns?”