The recycled air tasted stale and metallic, carrying unfamiliar undertones that made Kira's nose wrinkle. Everything about the commandeered shuttle felt wrong - from the too-warm environmental settings to the sleek, almost organic curves of the control panels. She'd had **** after her own vessel was destroyed in the firefight, but sitting in the pilot's seat felt like an invasion. Not of his space - she had no qualms about that - but of her own standards. The thought that this ship had been part of his operation, probably used to transport countless broken women to market... it made her skin crawl.

Her side ached where his fangs had caught her during the takedown. The medkit had sealed the wound, but it still throbbed, a constant reminder of his presence in the cabin behind her. The same presence she'd tracked across a dozen systems, the monster who'd built an empire breaking and reshaping women to his specifications.

And now, instead of dragging him back in chains, she was playing chauffeur while he lounged in relative comfort, "cooperating" with the investigation. The message from Central Command still burned in her mind every time she looked at him, the words seared into her memory.

Officer Leyland,

Congratulations on your successful apprehension of subject Vrax'lian Thaz. Your success has been noted in your file and will be considered during your next performance review.

Be advised that following extensive negotiations between Imperial Prosecution and subject's legal representative, subject's status has been officially reclassified to "Protected Witness" as of 0600 hours. Subject has agreed to provide testimony against the Vega trafficking network in exchange for immunity from prosecution on lesser charges. This testimony is deemed essential to Operation Shatterpoint. Effective immediately, all charges against subject have been suspended, pending testimony.

In recognition of your accomplishments, you are being reassigned from Investigations to Witness Protection. Your assignment is to transport subject safely to Artemis Station for deposition. Please note subject's comfort and well-being are now mission-critical priorities as any perceived mistreatment could jeopardize his cooperation. You are expected to accommodate reasonable requests and maintain an environment conducive to continued cooperation. Failure to do so will result in disciplinary action.

Lieutenant Commander Reis

The most infuriating part was them acting like it was a privilege to be **** to treat one of the worst monsters in the galaxy like a prized witness, rather than the scum he was.

"Officer?" His voice was surprisingly melodic for a reptilian, with none of the sibilant hissing she'd expected. "The temperature settings seem to be fluctuating. I believe there may be a maintenance cycle you need to authorize."

Kira's jaw clenched. In the hours since she'd taken off his restraints, he had demonstrated a deep familiarity with the ship's seemingly deliberately convoluted systems. "The settings are fine."

"Mm. If you say so." There was a note of amusement in his tone that made her fingers tighten on the controls. "Though you might want to check the atmospheric recyclers before the headache sets in. This model can be temperamental if not properly calibrated. They designed them specifically for long-haul transport of sensitive cargo."

"Sensitive cargo." Her lip curled at the euphemism. "You mean the women you enslaved." She knew she shouldn't engage with him, shouldn't let him bait her into conversation, but three years of pursuing him had left her with a deep well of hatred that was hard to contain.

The environmental controls blinked a soft warning, and she fought down a surge of frustration. The whole console was in some proprietary format she'd never encountered before, with labels in a script she didn't recognize. Another spike of pain from the bite wound made her wince.

"Such hostile assumptions, Officer." She could hear him shifting, the whisper of his scales against the chair's surface. "I merely coordinated transportation for private clients. The accommodations were quite luxurious, as you can see."