It's been nearly six days since we left Earth One, and the atmosphere on board is tense. Serena informs me grimly that we are about to enter The Void, and even under her reassuring smile, I can see the nerves there. She doesn't like this place; as unsettled and on edge as the rest of the crew.

The closer we get, the more closed off the Commander is, never leaving the command console unless she is sleeping or working out. I don't even think she would eat, if Destra didn't bring meals over to her, watching like a hawk until she finishes every last morsel. This place affects the Commander in a physical way, and the tension that she feels is evident in the way that she holds herself, the terse way she issues commands, and even in the rhythmic tapping of idle fingers when she is analysing information on the screen.

I want answers. I want to demand why this place affects her so, but I can't get close to her at the moment. She doesn't want to talk to me, barely speaks to the rest of the crew, and keeps her back turned to the rest of us all day. The crew seem to know not to disturb her, but my daughter either doesn't understand or doesn't care, determined to spend time with her new friend.

I watch from the dining area almost enviously as Cassidy skips through the cave and throws herself ungracefully into the chair next to the Commander. For the first time in days, I see Andrea smile as she listens to whatever is being chattered in her ear.

"Your daughter is managing something the rest of us wouldn't dare," Lily comments, sliding a mug of coffee towards me with a grin. I send her a grateful smile, unsure why she is seeking me out. The crew have accepted our presence here but Lily has kept her distance more than most, quietly observing from the sidelines.

"She has always had that effect on people, it's one of her greatest skills and one which her sister and I do not share," I confide. "They look so alike and yet they couldn't be more different."

"It's often like that. Andy and her twin were the polar opposites of each other in every way, but for their appearance."

"Andrea has a twin?"

It would almost be funny just how terrified Lily looks, but there is just too much fear present there for me to be comfortable. Why would Andrea be so against me knowing?

Lily rubs the back of her neck, awkwardly. "Look, I shouldn't have said that. The Commander is really private and she would probably kill me if she knew that I told you."

"Not literally, I hope?" I ask, raising my brow, though I'm not entirely sure my question is in jest.

"No," She replies instantly, but her eyes are guarded. "Well, yes. I don't know. Maybe? I think you're underestimating just how much Andy dislikes talking about her past. She won't even talk to me about it, and we grew up together."

"You did?"

The horror is back on the woman's face; gorgeous, ebony skin darkening slightly. "Fuck it. I'm not good at this," she mumbles, burying her face in her hands for a moment. She looks back up, pointing her finger in my face. "I can't talk to you about this."

I lower my voice. "You have my word that I would never repeat anything you say to me. I am just so worried about my daughter, and the Commander seems to have a past that ties in with what Caroline might be going through right now. Don't I have a right to know? Can't you understand that what I might be imagining, is far worse than anything you tell me?"

Lily shakes her head. "I can't, Miranda. Andy wouldn't like it."

My ire rises in the face of her submission to the woman who should be her friend and equal. "But surely if you grew up together, then these are your memories and not just hers. She doesn't have any right to dictate whether or not you want to impart any of them to me," I snap, more harshly than intended. The last few days are catching up with me, and I can no longer bite my tongue. Maybe it is unfair of me to pressurise Lily, but she has let the most slip out of everyone, and I am not above using those slips to find out what I want to know.

She sighs heavily, staring at her hands. "Look, all I can tell you is this. When we were young, there were three of us that were kidnapped from Nova Terra. Me, Andy, and a guy called Nate. We were taken into The Void when we were six and grew up on Bellator. You know the name literally means warrior, right? That should clue you in. Anyway, when we were sixteen we ran away. Nate refused to come with us, so we had no choice but to leave him there. Andy joined the Agency and became part of Interstellar Enforcement, and I went home. I went back to the academy and my family, to continue my education. When we were twenty four, Andy came back looking for me, having quit her job."

"And that's when you became…" I sweep my hand around the room. "This?"

She nods, not meeting my eyes. "Yup. We've been running cargo ever since."

"I think we both know that's not all you do," I point out, and she grins back at me sheepishly. "I don't understand, Lily, why is the name warrior relevant? Before we came on board, I'd never heard of a planet Bellator before."

She stands up, and I can see the pain in her eyes. "Then I'm not going to be the one to enlighten you, Miranda. I've already said too much, so please don't ask me to."

With that, she walks away, and despite everything I have just found out, I have even more questions than before. I don't have time to reflect on it further though, when the Commander's voice rings out through the speakers.

"Crew to the Cave, we have intel."

I know that order does not include me, but determination drives me forwards. Cassidy has been working out and will be in the shower by now, and she knows well enough that these talks do not include her either. I edge forwards along the starboard wall of the Cave, inching closer to the Commander and her hushed conversation with the crew.

"Joss? The floor is yours," Andrea dictates, leaning back in her chair, gesturing for the Communications Officer to brief the crew.

"I've been monitoring-"

Andrea snickers, joined quickly by the rest of the crew.

Jocelyn smirks, rolling her eyes. "I hacked into the locals comms and surveillance on several of the planets on our route. It seems Stephen is hiding out on Rilaton, a level three planet."

"So not exactly in our favour?" Doug questions, looking between the rest of the crew, and I am reminded that he is the newest member of this unlikely team. "Is a level three even safe?"

"Three is technically neutral," Andrea muses. "We've always risked it in the past."

"Risked what?" I ask, against my better judgement, as the Commander scowls in my direction.

"Risked an intercept," she replies dismissively, turning back to Jocelyn. "Anything we need to know, Joss?"

"He's travelling alone. He hitched a ride on a small ship and he's been asking about local accommodation for an extended stay," Joss replies, tapping on her comms unit until a page of information appears on the main console. "Looks like he is attempting to hide out there until things calm down, or until he is sure that the Agency is not involved in Caroline's rescue. He's trying to rent an accommodation pod from the Council, but he doesn't have any collateral. My best guess is that he will head to that dingy bar we hung out at last time, and ask around."

I know I am missing something when the crew start to grin.

"When will we land?" Andrea asks, her smile stretching across her face in a way I've not witnessed before.

"Wait," I command. "What is the plan here? Why are you talking about Steven? Why do we care where he is holed up?"

Serena glances at me as though she has only just realised I am in the Cave with them all. "Stephen has answers. He has information that we need and there is no one better than our Andy to go and get it."

Nigel laughs gleefully, but there is an edge there that makes me shiver. "He's not going to know what's hit him. When do we land?"

"As soon as possible. We don't want to risk him disappearing into the woodwork," Andrea says grimly. "He will answer my questions, if I have to hunt him across the Plains of Saracen."

"What's that?"

Cassidy.

Cheeks still flushed from her shower, Cassidy looks between the crew, waiting for her curiosity to be satisfied. Contrary to her general character, but in keeping with the way she has always treated my daughter, the Commander calls her forwards, inviting her to sit in the chair next to her at the command console. Andrea presses her comms unit, and sends an image to the screen.

"See this, Cassy? This was the Sea of Saracen, but it's almost gone, leaving only the salt flats. It's like walking across a giant natural mirror," Andrea tells my daughter. "It's a fairly rare phenomenon in the universe. Earth One had salt flats once in a place called Bolivia, before it was all submerged under water again."

This is the side of Andrea that confuses me. She is so open and friendly to Cassidy, not just explaining things, but going above and beyond to satisfy her curious streak. She's warm, friendly and a great comfort to the girl in a way that appears to be entirely natural. Which leaves me realising that her closed off and scowling countenance is entirely by choice, maybe even fabricated. The crew have all expressed their love and respect for the woman, promising that underneath her sometimes hostile exterior, she is different.

So why does she choose to be this way with me? I am in no way a threat to her, but she refuses to reciprocate any effort I make to get to know her.

I am drawn from my thoughts by Cassidy, staring up at the screen. "That's so cool, Andy!"

Andrea smiles warmly. "We need to finish this brief, but afterwards, I'll show you some images of Earth One before it was swallowed by the sea. They aren't the quality you would expect these days, but it's still fascinating to see what it used to look like."

"Thank you," Cassidy practically squeaks, getting up and hugging the Commander. Andrea laughs, wrapping her arms around her for a second, before pushing her gently away.

"Brief first," she reminds her with a chuckle. "Why don't you take my info screen and go and sit down. I set up a folder with your name and there are some games in there you can play."

"Really?" Cassidy breathes out in awe, accepting the smooth, glass panel being passed to her and holding it preciously.

"Really. You don't have to worry about dropping it," Andrea says knowingly. "It might be made of glass, but it's tough. I dropped it from the top of the ramp when leaving the ship once, and the damn thing just bounced."

Cassidy visibly relaxes, smiling. "Okay. Thanks, Andy."

She leaves, and I wait for Andrea to remind me that this is a crew briefing, but she sends a look my way that I am unable to read and then continues where she left off. "As I was saying, we need to land as soon as possible. Any chance he's wearing any kind of tracker or identifier?"

Jocelyn shakes her head. "No. My intel originally came from facial recognition, and then a bit of digging around."

"Right. Would have been nice, but I'll find him. Who's up for coming with me?" she asks the crew, looking between them all.

"Do we resupply here?" Lily asks. I've recently learned that despite only being ranked an Ensign, she has an additional role that is essential to the ship; resources management.

"No. We need to be as quick as possible. We'll pick up supplies and refuel on one of the planets further in," Andy replies. "It's too risky to sit around."

"Commander. With all due respect, surely we should concentrate on getting to Caroline," I remind her, frustrated with the unnecessary delay. "We know where she is going, and the quicker we get there, the better."

The look she gives me is chilling, and the way she drops her voice, speaking slowly as though she is having to restrain each word from being snapped at me, sends a shiver down my spine. "If you dare to question another one of my decisions, when you are entirely uninformed about the situation, you will find yourself dropped on the nearest planet. Do you understand me, Miranda?"

I know the minute I open my mouth, that she will not be happy with the words that leave my lips, but I can't rein it in. "She's not like Cassidy, Commander. Caroline has always been the less independent one of the two and I can't bear the thought of her being alone any longer than she has to be. Please, just consider it," I plead, refusing to back down even though I am mildly terrified of the ice in her eyes.

Andrea stands up, and then leans back against the console, observing me quietly for a moment. I don't move, fully aware I have overstepped.

"This is the only time I will explain a decision to you, Miranda. If you question me again, then not only will I drop you off on the nearest planet, but the deal is off. Ships have an authority ranking for a reason, and as Commander, it is my job to keep my crew safe," Andrea informs me.

"I know that, and I apologise, Andrea. You have to understand how I feel, though."

"I don't have to do anything but reunite you with your daughter," she reminds me. "Listen to me. I know how things work in The Void and it's not always as simple as it might look. If we go in and grab Caroline, we might get away, we might not. They could come after us, or they might think that one child is not worth the confrontation. However, if we find out what Stephen knows, then we have a better shot. Irv usually buys humans, but Stephen paid him to arrange this. Doesn't that sound off to you?"

"Perhaps," I concede. "But surely if they have their money, then it won't matter?"

Serena speaks up, resting a hand on Andrea's arm, as the woman visibly bristles at my answer. "Irv makes deals, and he always sees them through. The only way to break one is to offer him something in return that is of equal importance or value. If we find out what exactly Stephen paid him to do, then we might be able to negotiate. Surely you can see the value in that, Miranda?"

I nod at the Lieutenant. "A negotiation would be better than them coming after us, it's true. I certainly have the funds available to offer him a tempting deal. But I don't understand what you mean? Stephen paid Irv Ravitz to kidnap them, what else could be a part of that arrangement?"

"It's The Void, Miranda, and more specifically, it's Bellator. Do you know nothing about the universe you live in?" Andrea asks scathingly, rolling her eyes. "Enough. This is not up for further discussion. Doug, set a course for Rilaton and get us there as quickly as possible. Nigel, you're with me when we land. Crew dismissed."

The huddle of people disperse and the Commander stares at me challengingly. "Take this as an official warning. I will not tolerate your insubordination again."

"Insubordination? I'm not a member of your crew. In fact, I'm your employer, so you would do well to watch your tone with me," I reply haughtily.

"I don't need the money, and I didn't want the job to start with, considering where we are going. If you continue as you are, then we turn around and leave. Do not test me, Miranda. You are dismissed," she growls, turning away from me and sitting back down in her chair.

I stare pointedly at the back of her head, but she ignores me, pulling up details of a port on Rilaton. The planet is terrestrial, and the port is surrounded by rich jungle; it's fascinating. The biomes on Earth One grow many different plants and trees, but they are only for food and resources.

The Commander leans her elbows on the console and rubs her temples, the tightening of her shoulders revealing the stress that she feels. My anger at her fades and I find myself wanting to make peace.

"Would you like a coffee, Commander?"

She spins her head round so fast, it's comical as she stares at me in surprise. The unexpected smile she sends my way is blinding as she nods. "Yes, please. Strong and sweet."

"I'll be right back," I promise, heading towards the kitchen and feeling like maybe progress has been made.

We arrive on Rilaton four hours later, and the atmosphere on board is grim when Andrea and Nigel leave. They both wear a small collar around their neck, inconspicuous and made to look like jewellery. Destra informs me that they detect danger, and throw up a personal shield to protect them. These protection bubbles, as they are named, are Andrea's own invention and yet again, I learn something about her that astounds me. The woman is remarkable in so many ways, and yet she still remains humble.

Waiting for them to come back to the ship is difficult to endure, though I know Jocelyn is in constant communication with them. I am plagued by thoughts of something happening to them both, as I come to realise I am becoming fond of the crew, Andrea included. I head to the workout room to pass the time away, taping my hands and using the bag that I found Andrea using that day we found out that Caroline was being taken to Bellator.

I settle into a routine, punching rhythmically, and keeping light on my feet as I dart and weave around the bag. It's the perfect combination of strength and cardio training, and I've become slightly addicted to the feeling of release it gives me. I'm not sure how long I am in there but the door hisses open and without looking I know who it is. It would appear that meeting like this is becoming our thing. It's a strange parallel to the last time we were in here; now it is me that takes out my frustrations on the bag.

"Andrea?" I ask, though I already know the answer.

"Yeah," she replies, walking closer. "You're getting good at that."

"It's getting easier, but I am often off balance," I admit, reaching out to stop the bag's momentum, and turning around to face her.

She reaches forwards, placing a palm flat on my stomach. "You need to keep your core tight. Do some exercises that will strengthen the muscles here and it will make all the difference in the world."

I can barely breathe, her hand pressed against me bringing me out in goosebumps. "Thank you," I barely croak, and she has the gall to smirk at me, as though she knows exactly what her touch is doing to me. "Was your mission successful?"

"He talked," she offers with a shrug, removing her hand again. "We got what we needed from him."

There is something entirely too casual about the way she is talking. I look at her more closely, but her face shifts into that blank mask she is so fond of. I want to shake her, but my eyes narrow in on her shirt. "Is that blood, Andrea?"

She looks down at her top, pulling the fabric out for examination. "Guess so."

"Oh, god. What did you do?" I hiss. "Did you hurt him? You have no idea what he is like, Commander. He will never stop now. He will come after us all in vengeance. You careless, thoughtless, irresponsible woman. You have no idea what you've done!"

Her eyes flash furiously. "Will you stop underestimating me? We have the information we need, and okay, he might have been reluctant to tell us anything, but it's done. We can continue now."

"Done? It's done? He will hunt me and the girls down like animals if you have humiliated him. We won't stand a chance against him, Andrea, he has connections with some very morally corrupt people, who will do anything he asks for the right price."

"No, he won't. Trust me, you'll be fine."

"Andrea! Listen to me. You don't know-"

"No," she interrupts, holding up a hand. "You listen to me. Stephen will not be coming after you. You have my word. You need to trust me."

"Well, I don't. How can I?"

She huffs loudly, throwing up her hands and snarling, "because I put a fucking laser between his eyes."

With that, she spins on her heel and leaves the room, leaving me in shock. She put a laser between his eyes? Stephen is dead? I stumble across the room blindly, my heart racing as I sink down onto the bench that runs around the room.

How can she be so unaffected by ending a man's life? I don't love him, and I'm not sure I ever really did, but as I picture the man I spent five years of my life with, laying dead on the floor, I almost vomit. What had she done to him first, to get him to talk? What did he endure before he gave up the information she wanted? When I found out he was responsible for Caroline's disappearance, I wished him dead, but having his blood on my hands leaves me cold.

Did she enjoy it?

I feel like I can't breathe. My hands are cold and clammy and I am shaking uncontrollably. I hear the door open, but it sounds further away than I know it to be.

"Hey, you doing okay?"

I look up into Destra's concerned eyes, but I can't even nod, let alone speak.

She sits down next to me, wrapping her arms around me and hugging me tightly. "Andy said you might take it badly. You're okay, though. You're just having a panic attack, Miranda, and it will pass soon, I promise."

The feeling of pressure around me helps, but I still can't talk to her, my breaths shallow and rapid as I try to regain control.

"She shouldn't have just dumped that on you, but she gets frustrated sometimes. You seem to frustrate her more than most, actually, but that's no excuse for the way she told you."

"She doesn't like me much, does she?" I grit out between breaths, pulling out of her arms.

She looks sad for a moment. "No, I don't think that's it. I think… I think maybe the problem is that she does."

She does? She goes out of her way to avoid me and I always assumed she barely tolerated my presence.

Destra continues. "Andy has a hard time letting people get close to her. Be patient, and try not to push her too hard, even if you don't agree with what she is saying. She's the Commander for a reason, and we all respect the hell out of her. You might think her methods are extreme, but she gets the job done."

"Extreme?" I snap, temper flaring slightly now that I am regaining control over my body. "She tortured a man and killed him in cold blood."

"He made certain threats, Miranda. It was not safe to leave him alive. You might not believe this, but she did it to protect you and the girls. She might seem fine, but later, when she's alone? It won't be so easy for her. Do you understand what I'm saying?"

Oddly, I'm relieved by the information. I don't want Andrea to suffer, but the thought of her killing someone without remorse leaves me feeling off kilter. I nod. "I think so."

"Good. Now, we're all going to have dinner. Take a shower and by the time you are done, it will be ready."

"Thank you," I reply awkwardly. "For, well, you know."

She smiles knowingly. "We all need comfort, sometimes. It's nothing to be ashamed of."

Dinner is a surprisingly pleasant affair. The whole crew is awake and on-shift, and there is no talk of Stephen or what is coming up. They share what I assume to be highly edited anecdotes of some of their adventures, with Cassidy. The way they grin at each other tells me there is far more to what they are saying, than what they reveal in front of my daughter. Even Andrea herself shares a few of her adventures.

We sit there for several hours, and for the first time, I feel entirely comfortable with them all. Cassidy talks less and less, and eventually breaks into the conversation with a loud yawn.

"Time for bed, Cassy," Andrea instructs, covering her own mouth as she also yawns.

"Awww… but I'm not tired," Cassidy declares, sitting up straighter at the table. She yawns again and the Commander grins.

"Really?"

"Maybe a little tired," she concedes, a small smile on her face. "You should go to bed too," she tells the Commander sternly.

"You're right," Andrea replies, "but we need to have a quick crew briefing. I promise I'll get some sleep after."

"Okay." Cassidy kisses me on the cheek and says goodnight, waving as she leaves the Cave.

The Commander waits for the sound of her pod door to open and close before she starts speaking. "Right. So we got what we needed from Stephen. It's not quite as simple as we hoped. Yes, he paid Irv to kidnap the girls, but there is more."

"He wanted Irv to put them in the circle?" Lily guesses. "That sadistic bastard. Does he really hate you so much, Miranda?"

"The circle? What does that mean?" I ask, well aware that I am the only one at the table that is in the dark at this point. They all wear similar expressions, a mix of fury and sadness.

Andrea sighs heavily. "Come with me. I think maybe it's time we talked."

She stands up, waiting patiently for me to join her.

"Talk? About what?" I ask, even as I get to my feet.

"About my time in The Void."

She gestures for me to follow, and leads us to her personal quarters. "The crew already know this, but I don't like talking about it and I would rather do so in privacy. I also think that it might be better for you to hear this somewhere you will have the space to process, away from prying eyes."

"It's that bad?" I ask nervously, my stomach twisting painfully.

"Yes. It is."