Scene 2.13 – Audience with a Goddess 2

It had only taken Gaya a few minutes to gain private access to the office and screen of the Nymphaeum priestess, but it took the better part of a half-hour for the home star to connect them to Marm Shimi.

When her face at last appeared, awkwardly filling the screen before she settled back into her seat, she appeared flustered, possibly angry. Gaya lowered the veil from her face, and signaled the Brutes to do the same. Recognition washed over Shimi’s face, then worry. “Gayahtri! Daughters – what has happened? We’d expected you here yesterday.”

Gaya kept a level tone, more aware than the Marm, apparently, that the local priestess would certainly play back the conversation once she’d left. “We’ve accumulated an extra expense, Marm. I’ve committed the homestar to one hundred thousand sesters on our arrival. And I’ll need you to add a ship’s register to the whitelist. I don’t have the tailsign yet, though.”

Shimi’s brows furrowed. “What’s happened? Where are you? The operator said you’re on a private link from Chandier.. Where in the 17 hells is that?”

Gaya let the vulgarity pass without comment and shrugged her reply. “Ask Turnbull – they should know where they shot us down. But does ‘where matter’? We’re still on our way.”

“Shot down?” Shimi’s eyes flicked quickly around the room and widened. “Where are… what of the Rouches? The Dawn Treader? Are they..?”

“Gone to Vrahi, Marm.”

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