The Chai Makhani Trio escaped the clutches of Koltn Ward and the Commonwealth admiral. But they still find themselves trapped, hiding in the secret places of the flagship. Elyot knows now his mother never betrayed the rebellion. But why did she leave him all those years ago? Koltn Ward knows Alextra's secret. No longer a captive, Alextra still fears the wrath he has the power to bring down on her. They must get back to Adghal and to the rebellion. But without their pilots, they have no hope of managing that. But Keani just might hold the key to save them all. "Players in the Long Game” is the ninth episode in the ongoing monthly science fiction adventure serial TALES OF THE CHAI MAKHANI TRIO.