Page 113 of Galactic Sentinels: Vol. 1
When we leave the hygiene room, the lights aboard the SIL are already dimmed. Wingo, curled up in his bunk, had kindly unfolded ours.
I help Ileana onto the bed and lie down beside her, then press the drawer shut.
In this small, dark space, it feels more comforting than claustrophobic to be so close. Her warmth against me, her breathing steady—it grounds me. I fall asleep just a few minutes after my breath of life.
I stay there, holding her, feeling her presence in my arms—soft, relaxed, safe. In that quiet bliss, I drift off too.
When I wake, her scent lingers in the air, familiar and soothing. It brings a smile to my face, and I stay still for a moment, simply grateful.
I wake her up with kisses and try to love her again, even though there's hardly any space.
A few moments later, we’re dressed and I open the sleeping drawer.
Queen’s“We Are the Champions”is playing. Thankfully, the drawers are completely soundproof.
“Well, well, well! About time. I had a nutrition bar while I waited, but you mentioned something about an infusion,”grumbles Wingo, planted in the middle of the SIL, watching us with exaggerated patience.
“We’re going to take advantage of theRenaissance’s big cafeteria and have a real breakfast for once—something more exciting than what the SIL has to offer.”
“Pherebos,”SILMAR chimes in,“I’ve recorded a call for you. It’s from Akifumi.”
“Ah, good. What does the message say?”
“He’s arrived on theRenaissanceand wants to see all three of you. Do you want to hear the message?”
“If that’s all he said, no need. We’ll eat first and find him afterward. Thanks, SILMAR.”
But in the end, it’s Akifumi who findsus, just as we’re enjoying some delicious brioches baked by someone named Nora.
“Ah, there you are!” he says, sliding into a seat at our table. “Good, we need to talk. Mmm, smells amazing. What is this?”
“This is brioche, sweetheart!” says Nora, appearing behind him with a fresh tray. “Just made.”
“Nowthat’sa nice change from nutrition bars,” I say, savoring the warm, buttery bite. I’d forgotten that medical ships often have real kitchens where actual recipes can be prepared. It does wonders for morale.
“That’s right, handsome,” Nora beams. “And on theRenaissance, I’m the head cook. This big, brilliantly executed operation deserved my best work!”
“And we’re very grateful,” I say sincerely. “It’s delicious.”
We wait for her to leave before getting down to serious business.
“First of all,” Akifumi begins, “I’d like to announce that an official inquiry has been opened to bring Henri to justice. You can be sure it’s just a formality at this point. Hilda’s confession alone is nearly enough. We’ve already reopened the file on the death of the former BN-35 administrator. It’s now clear it was intentional.”
He turns to Ileana.
“In short, your former tormentor will be punished and removed from power.”
“Thank you,” she says, her voice trembling, eyes misting over. “My sister’s death won’t go unpunished.”
“He’ll pay for every one of his crimes,” Akifumi continues. “Not just what he did to your sister and her friend, but also to your mother, the formeradministrator, and his own son. And who knows—we may uncover more victims from his past. This may not have been his first time.”
Ileana exhales deeply, a long, quiet sigh of relief. A weight she’s carried for far too long is finally beginning to lift.
We take a quiet moment to savor our hot drinks—mine still steaming in the mug—paired with a warm, buttery brioche that practically melts in my mouth. Then, my mentor picks up the thread of the conversation.
‘’Pherebos, your cover as an elite agent of the Galactic Sentinels is still intact,"Akifumi assures him."As far as the Confederation is concerned, you're still just an operative scouting the galaxy for potentially terraformable worlds.’’
So he wants me to stay on the mission. I get it.
