Page 166 of Reaper Said Mine

The room goes cold around me.

Gnash’s growl is immediate and low.

Zune continues, smooth as oil poured over a blade. “Helios remains committed to stability, lawful commerce, and the protection of civilian life. We will not be distracted by sensational claims from a compromised correspondent whose current circumstances raise serious concerns about coercion, judgment, and editorial independence.”

Vakka swears in Reaper.

Skahar’s cane thumps once against the floor, a dry sound full of warning.

I watch Zune’s face and feel something old and icy settle in my gut. Dawson is cruel because he is vain and small. Zune is not small. He chooses every word for weight, placement, and afterlife. He has not merely denied the evidence. He has placed me back in the box I have spent years clawing my way out of.

He has turned me back into the girl from Horus IV: traumatized, manipulated, unreliable, and useful only as a symbol or victim.

Gnash reaches for the display like he intends to tear Zune through it by force of will.

“Don’t,” I say.

He stops, barely.

“Ursa.”

“I know.”

“I will not allow⁠—”

“You don’t get to allow this. He’s not speaking to you. He’s speaking to everyone who already wants a reason not to believe me.”

“Then we give them reason to believe.”

“Yes.”

My voice steadies as the path forms under my feet. It is not easy or safe, but it is there.

“He made it personal because the evidence is good,” I say. “If he could disprove the records, he would attack the records. He attacked me instead.”

Skahar nods slowly. “Correct.”

“So we do not answer the insult first. We answer with more evidence.”

Vakka’s grin returns, but it is harder now. “We have the Atrament Star crew in holding.”

I look at her. “Alive?”

“Mostly offended.”

“Good. I want corroboration on the cargo routing and the broker instructions.”

Gnash’s eyes stay on me. “You should not have to endure his slander.”

“No, I shouldn’t. But I can use it.”

His expression twists with anger and admiration, both fierce enough to take up physical space.

I stand because sitting suddenly feels too close to surrender. “He just showed us where he’s afraid. Coercion, judgment, editorial independence. Fine. My next piece will include a full conflict disclosure, the complete evidence chain, and signed station access terms showing you did not review or approve my conclusions. Then I’ll publish the raw financial appendix to independent analysts and invite them to challenge it.”

Dawson’s voice echoes in my memory.

You are making a catastrophic mistake.