Sunshine wasted no time; she immediately sent an urgent message to the Glacian King. She didn’t bother with royal pleasantries or long-winded introductions. ’Life or death. My life is in danger. I need to see you now, Sunshine’ the message read.

The response was nearly instantaneous. She received a special royal bypass, allowing her and her companions to bypass the standard checks and teleport directly to the palace gates.

"Everyone, this is it," Sunshine whispered, her voice trembling slightly. She reached for an illusion mask and wore it. "As far as the universe is concerned, Sunshine Raine died in the Noxian attack. If the wrong people see me before the King, we’re sitting ducks."

Vortan adjusted his gear, looking grim. "Now is the time to use those favors that the king owes you both."

Sunshine disagreed, though she didn’t say it out loud. That kind of favor was not one to use easily. She would not use it unless she was forced to.

They materialized in a swirl of frost and blue light in front of the massive, crystalline palace. Usually, the Glacis palace was a place of serene and beauty, but today it felt like a kicked beehive. Officials in flowing robes were sprinting between corridors, and soldiers were matching around in groups. It seemed like a drill or a preparation for war.

"Something’s happening," Nine muttered, looking around.

Vaelor, the King’s trusted aide, was already waiting for them. His face was a mask of stress. "Move quickly," he urged, waving them forward. "The palace is in an uproar."

"What’s going on, Vaelor?" Vortan asked as they marched through the high-arched hallways. "It looks like a war rehearsal."

Vaelor leaned in, his voice a low hiss. "The King has ordered the mobilization of the Northern Armies. He’s preparing for war."

Sunshine felt her stomach drop. War? If the King was busy planning a war, would he even care about a stolen vault and a corrupt councilwoman? "Vaelor, is he going to have time for us?"

"He made time for you, Sunshine Raine." Vaelor said, glancing at her masked face. "Though he’ll be confused as to why you look like that. I know I was. You are lucky my first thought was not to reach for my weapon." If she had not been accompanied by the bug, he would have had doubts.

They reached the heavy, reinforced doors of the King’s private study. Vaelor announced their arrival, and the doors hummed open. The Glacian King was standing over a holographic map of the galaxy, his brow furrowed. He looked exhausted, the weight of a crown never looking heavier.

He stood up abruptly as they entered. Vortan stepped forward to offer a formal salute, but the King held up a hand, his eyes locked on the masked Sunshine.

Sunshine didn’t say a word. She reached up and clicked the side of her mask. The illusion flickered and died, revealing her pale, determined face.

The King raised his brows. His shoulders dropped, and a long, ragged breath escaped his lips. "Sunshine," he whispered. "I should have thought of the fact that this is an illusion mask. You said it is a life and death situation. You can use my army to defend your world it is ready. Initially, I was not going to help but considering how you didn’t hesitate to step in and save my people back then, it would be selfish not to return the favor."

"Thank you, your majesty. Truly, I am so grateful for the offer, and I might take you up on it if I need to. But I am here on a different issue that doesn’t warrant the necessity of an army." Sunshine answered.

The king walked over, placing a hand on her shoulder. "Oh. Then I will tell my army to continue training and be on standby. I do have good news. I was just told the Noxians were wiped out completely. The Mosotoys sent a message saying their home planet was turned to ash. You will not have to worry about them anymore, and neither will I."

Sunshine smiled. "All thanks to you, your Majesty. If you had not trusted me, we would not have achieved this. But the Noxians didn’t find me by accident. They were given my location. I found the person who sold me out."

The atmosphere in the room shifted instantly. The air grew cold, colder than the Glacian climate usually allowed. The King’s eyes narrowed into slits of dangerous, icy blue. He stepped back, his posture straightening.

"Who?" he asked. The word wasn’t a question; it was a demand for a target.

"A council member," Vortan said, his voice like grinding stone. "That is why we need your help."

"What?" the King roared. "You mean someone from the Council of Repairmen? That is treason! That is foul! That is a betrayal on some many milky ways I cannot begin to count."

Nine stepped forward, never one for dramatic pauses. "It was Zevran. She’s the one who pulled the strings."

The King’s fingers clenched into fists so tight his knuckles turned white. "Zevran... that white witch!"

"She wanted me dead because she’s been looting my grandfather’s vault," Sunshine explained, the words tumbling out now. "She thought if I was out of the picture, no one would ever notice the theft. She used the Noxians as her personal hit squad."

The King nodded slowly. "I knew something was rotting in that council. The day I asked them about the Raine inheritance, Zevran looked like she’d swallowed a live eel. That’s why I asked Commander Melvin to keep an eye on things, but clearly, he’s been blind."

"We have a witness," Vortan added. "And hard data. We can prove she communicated with the Noxians."

"Then there is no time to waste," the King said. He didn’t hesitate. He reached for his communication device on the desk and tapped a high-priority channel. "Melvin! This is the King of Glacis. Convene the full Council in thirty minutes. No excuses, no delays. I have a grave matter to discuss that concerns the future of your organization."

He cut the call before Melvin could even respond. He looked at Sunshine and gave her a sharp, confident nod. "I have your back my dear, you have nothing to fear."