"Prime." The woman bowed, her white robe sweeping over the metal grate that was the floor of the upper levels of the unnamed station. Her silver blond hair covered her face.
The older woman turned from her contemplation of the star outside the viewscreen, an active young star. Radiation danced across the screen in waves of purple light, turning her white robe the color of old blood. "Yes, Tertius?"
"We have word. Babylon is destroyed." She risked a glance at the older woman, her ice blue eyes cold and calculating.
Prime nodded. "Who?"
"Grant Lowell of the Patrol, with the aid of Myriassima. And a woman named Dace."
"What do we know of her? Is she of the Hrissia'Noru?"
Tertius dropped to her knees, lowering her gaze to the floor. "I am sorry, Prime. I have no information on the woman."
"You are forgiven." Prime swept across the room towards the door. "Grant Lowell will be dealt with soon. His days are numbered, along with the Hrissia'Noru and their meddling. Our day approaches. Patience is needed now more than ever."
Tertius cleared her throat. "Sonja has been located."
The older woman gave no indication she had heard, other than a slight tightening of her jaw. She paused with her hand raised to the doorplate. "Send Septimus to retrieve her. It is almost time."
"And Roderick?"
"Let him take the blame. It is too early for us to show our hand." The door slid open. Prime swept from the room.
Tertius rose to her feet. She watched the star for a long moment, her profile the same sharp eagle's beak of Prime, though younger. Septimus had much to answer for.