…There!

 

The space battleship Navis was skimming low over the ocean, bound for the Sheelite Continent. The night sea held only the hush of waves and the muffled thrum of the ship’s drive.

In the hangar, Flack was working on maintenance alongside Trireme’s Familias.

「Flack-san. May I have a word?」

It was Molly, a Bombay-type Familia, speaking to him in a low voice. She and Flack had met before.

「What’s up?」

「Please come with me. If someone sees us, pretend you were called for work.」

「Okay.」

The black cat, Molly, guided Flack to a hangar compartment set into the lower belly of the Navis.

It was a bay meant for small craft. Right now, the only thing stored inside was a single emergency escape submersible. And there, in that quiet space, stood a cat-type Therianthrope girl—someone Flack knew as well.

「You came. That helps.」

「What happened?」

The girl didn’t answer. She only pointed toward a corner of the hangar.

Flack followed her