Page 37 of Salvaged By the Alien Pirate

The bond-sickness flares hot in my veins as I step between McCoy and Neon, my wings mantling protectively despite the fever weakening my muscles. “A lot’s changed since Kyor’s arrest, Officer McCoy. Including who your real enemies are.”

“Has it?” McCoy’s footsteps echo as she emerges fully into view, her red hair gleaming like fresh blood under the emergency lights. Her piercing blue eyes miss nothing as they scan our group, lingering on my chest markings pulsing with fever. “Or are we all just playing different sides of the same corrupt game?”

My wings shift restlessly, the bond-sickness making each movement cost more than it should. But I force myself to focus through the fever, to see the careful way McCoy positions herself—close enough to appear non-threatening, far enough to maintain tactical advantage. “You could say the the game changed when the Eclipse moved from plain old extortion and into… acquisitions.”

“Interesting theory,” McCoy says, her tone carefully neutral. “And what evidence supports these... allegations?”

“Unless those records have been falsified,” Neon cuts in, her enhanced eyes narrowing as she studies McCoy.

McCoy’s expression doesn’t change, but something shifts in her eyes. “Interesting theory. Care to elaborate?”

“Not particularly.” Neon’s neural implants pulse brighter as she works, probably scanning McCoy’s credentials even while maintaining this verbal sparring match. “But I’m curious why adecorated officer like yourself is skulking around an abandoned medical depot instead of chasing real criminals.”

“Who says I’m not?” McCoy signals her team to lower their weapons—not holster them, but no longer aimed directly at our heads. A calculated show of... trust? Or manipulation? “The Black Eclipse has compromised everything they touch. Including the STI’s most secure facilities. Neutralizing corruption is my area of expertise.”

The revelation hangs in the air like plasma smoke, acrid and dangerous. I exchange glances with Zara, seeing my own suspicions reflected in her eyes. This could be exactly what we need—or another trap in a game we’re only beginning to understand.

“Prove it,” I challenge, though the effort of maintaining my defensive stance makes my wings tremble. The bond-sickness burns hotter, fed by the adrenaline of confrontation and Neon’s proximity. “Why should we trust you?”

“Because I’ve been tracking their operations since before they got their hooks into Kyor Drakonforge,” McCoy says, her voice carrying the weight of bitter experience. “Since before they started using luminore shipments as leverage against outer colonies.”

“The Tasha incident,” Neon says suddenly, her enhanced eyes narrowing. “You were the one who exposed High Chieftain Garrox’s corruption and helped the human girl. Who protected her when everyone else believed the lies.”

McCoy inclines her head, that sharp smile softening slightly. “Someone had to stand up for the truth. Just like someone needs to expose how deep the Eclipse’s influence really goes.” She pauses, her gaze flickering between us. “The question is, are you interested in being those someones? Or should I arrest you all and sort it out later?”

The bond-sickness chooses that moment to strike hard, sending fire racing through my veins. My wings falter, the effort of keeping them extended becoming almost impossible. Neon moves closer instinctively, her presence both soothing and intensifying the fever burning beneath my skin.

“Captain?” Zara’s voice carries layers of meaning—concern for my condition, questioning about McCoy’s offer, readiness to fight our way out if necessary.

I study McCoy through the haze of fever, weighing options that grow more limited with each passing moment. She could be lying. Could be working for the Eclipse herself. But something in her eyes, in the way she recognized Neon’s abilities, suggests otherwise.

“What exactly are you proposing?” I ask, forcing my voice steady despite the tremors wracking my body.

“An alliance,” McCoy says simply. “You help me trace these shipments back to their source, share what you know about Eclipse operations. In return, I provide official cover for your activities and access to STI resources.” Her gaze shifts to Neon. “Including protection from certain parties who might be hunting talented hackers.”

Neon stiffens beside me. “You know about that?”

“I know someone’s been using classified protocols to track you. Someone with intimate knowledge of both STI and Eclipse systems.” McCoy’s expression hardens. “Someone who knows exactly what they’re looking for.”

The implications hit like a physical blow. She knows about Kira. Or at least suspects. The question is, how much does she know? And can we risk trusting her with the full truth?

“And if we refuse?” I ask, though the bond-sickness makes the words scrape against my throat.

“Then I arrest you all for trespassing, theft, and whatever else I can make stick.” McCoy shrugs, the gesture almost elegant inits casualness. “But I don’t think you will. Because you know as well as I do that we’re stronger together than apart.”

I look at Neon, seeing the same conflict in her eyes that I feel burning in my blood. Trust is dangerous. Allies can become enemies in the space between heartbeats. But trying to fight the Eclipse alone... that’s suicide.

“Your call, little hacker,” I say softly, my wings drooping slightly as another wave of fever hits. “You’re the one they’re hunting.”

Neon’s fingers brush against my arm, the touch sending electricity through my overheated skin. “We need resources,” she admits reluctantly. “And someone with official authority to back us up when this gets messy.”

“When?” McCoy asks, amusement coloring her tone.

“Trust me,” Neon says, her voice carrying an edge of bitter experience. “With the Eclipse involved, it’s always when, never if.”

“Then we have a deal?” McCoy extends her hand, the gesture both offer and challenge.

I meet Neon’s gaze one last time, seeing in her enhanced eyes the same desperate hope I feel—that this time, trust won’t lead to betrayal. That this time, we might actually have a chance.

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