"Come back with me," the White Ghost said in a deep voice.
Catherine's voice was calm but with a touch of helplessness: "I cannot return to Hanton."
"Why?"
The White Ghost's voice trembled slightly, tightening — a common phenomenon when one's emotions fluctuate.
"Catherine, we had a wonderful time on Yaha Star. When I was playing the role of Hui Saka, it was you who led me into the Supermodified Organization.
"You told me then, although the Empire had many unpleasant aspects, the billions of people here needed guardians, needed someone to save them from the reckless nobles and ruthless capitalists, to stand up when they needed people to speak out for justice.
"I did that, but what about you? You left me without a word and defected from the Empire.
"Were you swayed by the New Federation?
"Can you come back? I can trade everything for the Empire's pardon for you."
