The sun was a molten coin sinking behind the spires of Caledon Prime, painting the administrative district in long, dramatic shadows. Laura walked beside Sara, her heels clicking on the polished permacrete. The air here was filtered, cool, and carried the faint, clean scent of ozone. As they approached the Duke’s compound, a sprawling bastion of silver alloy and crystalline glass, Laura’s eyes widened.

The beauty was staggering. Holographic gardens bloomed in the air between buildings, their illusory flowers shimmering with bioluminescent light. Levitating transports whispered past on silent gravitic fields, their running lights tracing elegant arcs against the darkening sky. It was a world of impossible grace, a testament to the Dominion’s technological zenith. For a moment, the sheer wonder of it almost eclipsed the dread coiled in her stomach.

“Eyes forward, Laura,” Sara murmured, her voice low. Her own gaze was not on the scenery but on the perimeter. The number of guards had increased exponentially from the city proper. These were not hub security; these were elite Dominion Marines in polished crimson armor, their helmets scanning the crowds with methodical, unnerving slowness. Their presence was a silent, heavy reminder of the power they were walking into.

They arrived at the main gate, a grand archway of light. A guard in the crimson armor stepped forward, his faceplate retracting to reveal a stern, middle-aged face. His eyes, hard and assessing, performed a swift inspection.

“State your business,” he said, his voice a bored monotone.

Sara offered a practiced, matronly smile. “We are here for the Duke’s gala. Invitation code Kerigan-Seven-Alpha.”

The guard’s eyes didn’t check a datapad. Instead, they raked over Sara, then slid to Laura. They traveled from the intricate styling of her wig, down over the exposed slope of her neck, and lingered on the daring plunge of the silvery gown. The look was slow, thorough, and utterly devoid of courtesy. Laura felt the fabric of the dress like a second skin, tight and revealing. She remembered Sara’s instruction in the boutique: Let them look at the costume. It keeps them from seeing the actor.

A genuine, gleeful smile touched Laura’s lips. It was a strange, fierce triumph. Look all you want, she thought, the smile widening just a fraction. You’re seeing exactly what we want you to see. The guard’s expression didn’t change, but he gave a curt nod.

“Proceed to the scanner.”

They stepped …