Cor Lambar:
The feed flickers into life with video content alongside the vocal stream and an image of Cor's face appears on the vidscreen.
"Hello, Nebula Drifter, this is the Voidsong. I would say 'long time no see,' as I am told that is a common saying in Basic between people who have not been in contact for some time but I note that I still cannot see you. I doubt 'long time, still no see' particularly works as an idiom."
Cor's voice is the same as ever it was - cool, smooth, collected - but there is an undercurrent now that was not there earlier. More confidence and more authority has crept into her tone - if it really is Cor, of course, and not just a complex charade put on by Parties Unknown for reasons beyond Devon's current knowledge.
"The Voidsong is at the edge of the system. What is the status of your team?"
Devon had to stop himself from snatching the t-shirt off the camera - the old Devon would have down that... but perhaps too much time spent round people like Zyra and Fiarr had rubbed off a little...
Forcing down his excitement and relief at the return of one of the more wayward vessel and crews in the Talons little fleet, Devon said:
"Good to see you again, Voidsong. Call me paranoid all you want, but please confirm you are speaking freely by telling me what nickname I gave one of your droids? Also, how did you know our location for the tight-beam?"
He couldnt help feel it was somewhat unfair to give Cor nothing but his voice to go on when he could see and hear her... and he didnt like having to distrust his friends, but Cor had been out of contact for a long time, and he had to be sure this wasnt an elaborate trap for the rest of his team.
On the bright side, it meant that he could delay having to explain his black eye for a few moments longer...