Etzli didn't want to admit it aloud, but she was relieved when Atee found her.
And, as both sides of Etzli--Sunshine and Starlight--were now communicating inwardly, she felt a unified affection for the Princess King.
"Where are we going?" Atee asked.
"Where we found the ghost," Etzli replied.
Raising a finger, Malcolm interjected, "Excuse me, a ghost?"
"Sure you still wanna tag along?" Etzli asked.
He shrugged. "Ghost, sure, why not. Not like there's anything left on this trip that could surprise me."
Crossing through a simple hatch, they entered the vast, cathedral-like acoustic engine.
Staring up at the towering rafters, Malcolm whispered like he was in church. "Whooooooah. What is this place?"
Before either Etzli or Atee could answer, another voice spoke up.
"It's the communications hub linking the entire flotilla."
Paras stepped out of the shadows.
She smiled at Etzli. "I knew you'd get my message."