I stared at the letter on the table, my eyes fixed on the familiar handwriting of Justin Vailos, my Beta and most trusted lieutenant.

His seal was still unbroken, but I knew what it meant. I had given him strict orders not to step foot in the Federation or make any contact with me unless he had found the whereabouts of Samantha.

I was anxious; my palms were sweating and my heart beating faster. What if they had finally found something? What if… what if it was bad news?

I thought I had ...