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THE ROOM HAD been quiet as Arlen and Kara had wrapped their minds around the fact that they were both alive. That they were together again. They eventually stepped apart and Arlen raised his hand, rubbing his fingers together.
“So, how about a shower and a change of clothes?” Arlen said, holding up his greasy hand.
“Throw in some decent food and I can’t see how this day could get better,” Kara said.
“Please, do shower first. You’re offending my delicate nose with your greasy stink.” Tarsk rubbed his paw against his pink nose with great disdain.
“Oh, is that so? How about I cover you with it instead?” Kara swiped her hands over her hair and lunged towards Tarsk, palms outstretched.
Tarsk hissed and sprinted around to the other side of the table. Back and forth they moved, watching the other. Arlen and Zeph looked on, completely confused. Arlen went to step forward, but Isra shook her head and rolled her eyes.
“It’s best to ignore them when they get like this,” Isra said.
Kara faced Tarsk in a moment of stillness and assessment, then suddenly she fainted to her left. He started moving and she quickly dashed back to the right and ran smack into him. Crowing with laughter, she smeared her grease-covered palms on him. “Hah, take that for making fun of me.”
Tarsk shuddered and fussed at the dark splotches on his ginger fur. “Have I told you lately how much of a pain you are, Kara cub?”
“Right back at you.” She grinned at him, elation still zinging through her body. She’d had to move to burn off energy. Yet at the back of her mind was the constant thought that she had to protect Isra, and her antics with Tarsk were just another layer to their disguise.
He sniffed but couldn’t hold his disgruntled demeanour any longer and broke into laughter. “Yes, we really could all do with a shower.”
Arlen and Zeph led them back down the corridor and through the blast doors but turned to the left this time. They took a lift up several levels, with people greeting Arlen and others nodding to him in respect before stepping out of his path. At one point, Tarsk unobtrusively touched her elbow and twitched his ears towards a group passing them consisting mainly of humans. Many of them had scars across their hands and necks, some even on their faces. They matched the pattern of where cybernetics would have been installed. As they continued, Kara observed more people with scars, sans cybernetics. Though a goodly number of individuals had augmentations, some just sporting graphene threads, others with older styles of metal alloys. A few even had whole body part replacements, the metal shiny under the lights.
Kara kept her eyes focused forward, but catalogued everything.
Including the artwork on the corridors. Bold abstract splashes of reds, blues and pinks vied for space next to lifelike paintings of snow-capped mountains, stormy beaches, and lush grasslands, blending with highly stylised pictures of people engaged in epic battles, to mundane chores, like mopping the floor. Kara paused by one image, caught by the impish look on a boy’s face.
“We encourage our teenagers to paint on the walls,” Arlen said as he stopped beside her. “They get quite competitive about it, and everyone else benefits from it.”
Kara looked along the wall that would have once been a blank, white expanse. “I don’t like bare, white walls either.”
He started and snapped his gaze to hers. His shoulders sagged and he sighed. “I’m sorry.”
She reached out and briefly squeezed his hand, making sure she didn’t apply too much strength before letting go. She was back to hiding her nature again. “You didn’t do it.”
They started walking again, the others several paces ahead of them, as Zeph now led the way.
“You’re very friendly with the Morus,” Arlen kept his voice low and his eyes straight ahead.
“Tarsk, he’s a dear friend. He’s taken care of me for years.” She smiled softly, wrapping her arms across her stomach. “He keeps me sane and reminds me to live.”
He grunted. “And Nightwyn, can you trust him? He’s Fleet after all.”
“I always did have more faith in the Imperial Fleet than you,” Kara murmured her eyes sad.
“The Fleet left us to rot and burn on that red planet.” Arlen clenched his jaw. “The Raiders made us run for hours out under that scorching sun, with no shade and no water. Then kept us penned up together in cramped cells. We had to rescue ourselves. Even if the Fleet had rocked up, they would have tossed us in the brig, anyway.”
Kara barely kept from stumbling. She longed to ask him about his time in the base, what he’d done, what it had been like for him, but she feared he would ask her the same, and she couldn’t afford to answer him. Couldn’t let him know she was a bio-cyber. Not yet, not without knowing how he’d react to Rhaslok royalty. He might be her brother, but the last time she’d seen him they’d both been children. Her loyalty and duty lay with Isra. Isra walked next to Daku, her posture impeccable. She’d have to tell her to slouch a bit, because even in dirty coveralls, Isra still exuded a presence of command. She could only hope Arlen hadn’t been paying the quietest member of their foursome much notice.
“Arlen, Daku is...he’s” she stammered, still unsure what to call him, then faintly shrugged. That part didn’t matter so much. “I’m in love with Daku. But even if I wasn’t, I’d still trust him. He risked everything without hesitating, and without recriminations, to rescue the settlers under his protection. He views them as friends, family.” She took a deep breath. “He would have died to save them.”
“Oh.” He seemed disconcerted by her revelation. “He’s Fleet though.” He flexed his hands, the cybernetics undulating.
“Aren’t you a Dark Raider?” Kara cocked her head to the side.
“No,” he snapped. “We’re the FPC. We are not Dark Raiders.”
“The FPC?” Kara quirked her eyebrow.
Arlen nodded. “Yeah, the Free Peoples Coalition. We don’t answer to one person, or an elitist group living light-years away on a cushy world.”
How had this FPC escaped their notice? Even though he was her brother, she couldn’t stop probing for information. “And yet you still enter the Jade Zone?”
“Only to hunt down those that break our rules. Things have changed out here, this isn’t a dark zone anymore.” He turned intent eyes on her. “We’ve banded together and look at what we’ve achieved. The Empire can take a flying jump into a supernova, led by their precious Fleet.” He jerked his chin at Daku. “Keep an eye on him, Kara.”
She sighed. “Arlen, I’ve spent years hating Dark Raiders, much as you hate the thought of the Fleet. And yet things are never that straightforward nor that clear cut. I wish they were; it’d make my life easier. But I trust Daku, he’s saved my life and I’ve saved his. Besides, right now the Jade Fleet want his hide more than you do, I’d bet.”
“Does he love you?” Arlen glared straight ahead, right at the back of Daku’s head.
“Yes, I’ve even met his parents.” She blushed remembering being caught embracing Daku in his parents’ kitchen.
Arlen jerked to a stop. “You’re that serious?”
She helplessly shrugged and blushed some more. She pressed her hands to her hot cheeks. She hoped she’d get over this habit soon. Emotions were...strange.
Arlen snagged her into an embrace again, clearly not caring about her grubby clothes and oil-slicked hair. “Then I’m happy for you, Squirt.” The childhood nickname rolled easily off his tongue. He looked down at her and laughed. “You really didn’t grow all that much.”
“Oh, shut it.” Kara rolled her eyes at him, hiding the flash of pain. She hadn’t grown much because the experiments had stunted her growth. Or mayhap, they had deliberately kept her small; after all, it was easier to infiltrate places when you could slip through small openings.
She frowned. “You said you enter Imperial space to track rule breakers. Is that why the ship that brought us here today fired on the Dark Raider spaceship? The one that had kidnapped settlers last month?”
He tensed. “How’d you know about that?”
“I told you, Daku rescued his people. He led the team aboard the IMJS Agate, Tarsk was with him too.” She omitted her name. “Would you call them Dark Raiders?”
Arlen relaxed slightly. “Yeah, they’re the kind of people we feared as kids.”
“What happened to those Dark Raiders?”
“We dealt with them, in our way.” He dropped his arm from around her shoulder, eyes going hard.
Kara didn’t push. After all, she had her own secrets to keep as well.
They walked quietly for a few more minutes, the surrounding area changing from the busy thoroughfare to smaller communal living areas. Couches were grouped together, some with patched covers, along with tables and stools. All around them pictures were stuck on bulkheads, and even a few plants grew from boxes attached to the walls. Though the rooms were spotless, everything was well used and in places worn and slightly shabby. In a large galley, three older adults, one with sparse white hair, were teaching a group of youths to cook. A waft of steam brought delicious scents to Kara and her tummy rumbled in appreciation. Hopefully, she’d be getting some decent food soon.
“What was it like being an aide?” Arlen broke the silence.
“Interesting and boring at the same time. Some of the stories I could tell you would make you laugh.” She shook her head.
“How could you stand working for them after the Empire had abandoned us?” His shoulders tightened again.
Kara bit back her sigh this time. He wasn’t going to change his mind in a few minutes, just because he’d found out she was alive. He had more to fear from the Fleet if they caught him than if Dark Raiders caught her. She could take care of herself. He wouldn’t be so fortunate. His cybernetics were far too noticeable, and they’d be neutralised very quickly.
“I saw it as an opportunity, and I worked hard to make a change.”
“And how’d that go?” Arlen snorted and shoved his hands into his pockets.
“Extremely well,” Kara snapped, getting sick of Arlen’s cynicism. He started, but she didn’t let him speak. “I’m good at what I do. I’m not a powerless, forgotten child. I’ve worked tirelessly to make sure no one else was taken like us.” Her whole posture straightened, her chin raised, her steps precise. “When I started, I worked with Admiral Laxarn, back when he was only a captain, and together we convinced the Queen’s Council to increase the protection for anyone living in remote colonies. Like Alkath was. I did this until we managed to have them reclassified as settlements, cementing that security and the presence of the Jade Fleet. You can curse them as much as you want, you can hate them, but don’t doubt that changes have happened and for the better. That’s what I’ve been doing with the Council.” Her voice had gone hard and cool.
Arlen stared at her, his mouth hanging open. He worked it several times before licking his lips. “You did that?”
She eyed him with coolness. “Yes, I did that. And Daku has spent his career in the Jade Fleet upholding those laws. So, go ahead, tell me that it made no difference, that the Fleet and the Queen don’t care.”
Arlen started to speak, but stopped. He dragged his hand down his face and it was his turn to sigh. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to question your capabilities. And you’re right, so much has changed, hasn’t it?”
“I’m not a little girl anymore. I haven’t been for a long time.”
He nodded slowly, then shot her a sideways look. “You’re kind of scary, you know?”
Kara burst out laughing. “I’ve found a steady, cool stare can get results when nothing else seems to work. Daku thought much the same as you when we first met. Actually, I think he might have used a slightly less flattering word, but then again, I had been sent to audit his outpost.”
“Poor man, no one likes to have a civilian hovering over their shoulder.” Arlen’s stance loosened, his walk becoming easier.
Kara just shook her head.
By then, they’d caught up with the others and Zeph ushered them into separate private quarters where, if they stretched their arms out, they still couldn’t touch both walls at the same time. It made for a welcome change to the cramped space on the Brognan. But the shower and clean clothes were by far the best part.
“Once you’ve cleaned up, join us back in the galley. I’ll have the food waiting,” Arlen said, bracing his hand on the doorjamb.
Kara eyed the way to the shower, then back towards the direction of the galley, weighing up what was more important. She took a step back to the door.
“Oh no, you don’t.” Arlen pointed towards the shower. “Go wash that stink off first. No one needs to be subjected to it anymore.”
Tarsk laughed from where he stood in the entrance of his room across the narrow hall.
Kara stuck her tongue out at them both. “What are you laughing at, Tarsk? You smell, too.”
Daku raised his eyebrows pointedly. “He’s nowhere near as covered as you, despite your best efforts.”
“Oh fine, but you can help me wash it off,” she grinned at Daku.
Arlen made a strangled sound and dropped his hand away from the door.
Daku coughed into his fist, covering a laugh.
Arlen, who was looking distinctly uncomfortable, stepped back and awkwardly waved his hand towards the galley. “Well, uh, I’ll see you back there.” He quickly shut the door to their room, leaving Kara and Daku alone.
“THIS IS A nice idea and all, but the shower’s kind of cramped with us both in here.” Daku tucked his elbows in close to his sides as he’d already banged one against the wall and really didn’t feel like doing it again.
“But the luxury of a hot shower is worth it.” Kara tipped her head back letting the water stream over her face.
“Yeah, you’re not the one risking life and limb to squeeze in here. Nice view though.” He grinned down at her in appreciation.
Kara smiled and went up on tiptoes, her hands gripping his shoulders as she steadied herself. She brushed her lips over his ear. “If they’re listening to us, the water should make it very hard to pick up words. But just in case, keep your voice low.”
“Ahh, now this makes sense.” He wrapped his arms around her and bent his head down to her. “I can’t believe you found your brother, but they said his name was Roth?”
“Yes, Isra and I changed mine years ago to Valkaith to protect me. You cannot tell him about what happened to me. Do you understand?”
“Yes.” He pressed a kiss to her forehead, smoothing away the lines of worry. “You just about gave me a heart attack back in that room, but I’m so happy for you. We’ll work this out.” He grabbed the cleaning foam and worked it through Kara’s hair. “I take it the antics between you and Tarsk were deliberate?”
Kara nodded. “It is easier to remain hidden if no one even suspects they should be searching. I told Arlen I worked as a Council aide, and he did not take that well. He’s very much opposed to the Fleet and the Empire. Keep that in mind. And I didn’t mention my presence on the Agate. There’s no need for him to know. He may be my brother, but I do not know him, not anymore.”
“And the less he knows, the less he can reveal to others.” Daku clenched his jaw. “We can’t be sure someone here isn’t in league with the Dark Raiders and the damned traitors. I want to know how the Jade Fleet missed the fact this massive mothership was being built. I swear they’ve patched multiple ships together to make this beast.”
“We’re far enough into the Dark Zone that I think it unlikely we would have been able to investigate. I think they’ve been smart enough to keep it well away from the Empire.” She grabbed the foam and started scrubbing the oil from her hands and arms.
“You might have an in with Arlen, but that Zeph looked ready to shove our butts into a lock-up rather than talk to us.” He patted her firm butt to underline his point.
She gave him a light shove in return, covering his chest in suds. “Keep your wits sharp. We’ll run if we have to.”
They briskly finished cleaning up and before long, they stepped out of the room, freshly washed and clothed. Kara lightly rapped on both Isra’s and Tarsk’s doors. An inscrutable look passed between Kara and Isra, at least to him, because they seemed to understand each other.
“They do that often,” Tarsk said to him in an aside, leading the way back down the hall to the communal living area. “Over the years, Kara’s developed a knack for picking up on her moods.”
Zeph and Arlen were already seated at one of the long dining tables with platters and bowls of food in front of them. Several others sat with them, but the food went untouched, as they were huddled close, urgently and passionately talking. Or possibly arguing with Arlen, Daku thought. He knew Zeph was none too pleased with their presence. Then again, Daku would have felt the same if potentially dangerous strangers came into his base and then given the grand tour. It wouldn’t have mattered to him if one of them just happened to be a long-lost sibling, and Zeph seemed to be thinking along the same lines. Judging by the man’s hand gestures, he was making his position known vocally.
Their words became distinct as they approached, though most of them fell silent.
“I still say they shouldn’t be on this level,” one man snapped, shooting a glare at the four of them.
Daku tensed.
“Cut it out, Chen. She’s my sister,” Arlen said.
The man braced his hip against the table and folded his arms, sweeping a derisive look over Kara. “How convenient for her that she just happened to be your long-lost sister, and gets to avoid all the normal security measures.” Chen glared at Arlen.
Arlen leapt up and slapped his palms down on the table. Zeph, Chen and the other people started.
“Convenient?” Kara said, drawing out the word until she had all of their attention and halting Arlen before he could say anything. “You think it was convenient that we had our lives torn apart? That we watched our parents be murdered before our eyes? That we heard their bodies hit the kitchen floor before they died?” She faced them, the grey of her eyes cold, the lines of her face drawn and harsh. “Do you know what it’s like to be ripped from your sibling, to think they are dead?”
Chen swallowed, his throat working. Beside him, Zeph had gone still.
Arlen’s head had dropped forward.
“I’ve suffered his loss for years,” Kara said, pinning them to the spot with just her gaze. “I’ve mourned him, yet could never go to a grave. Now, despite everything, we’ve found each other. And you think that’s convenient?” She spat the last word. “Well, do you? Tell me!”
“I...uh,” Chen stammered, looking around for help, but no one met his eyes. “No, it’s not. I’m sorry.”
Kara inclined her head and sat down on a stool at the table.
Arlen reached over and grasped her hand, and she turned a gentle smile on him.
Chen and the others left quickly after that, their discomfort and faint shame clear. Daku grabbed the stool next to Kara, and Isra and Tarsk sat across from them. The hush that had fallen over the room slowly eased and people started talking and eating again, though a fair few glances of both curiosity and wariness were aimed at their group.
Daku wanted to groan out loud. Their plan of keeping a low profile seemed to have gone out the airlock. He just prayed to the Eternities that Zeph and the rest would focus on Arlen and Kara being siblings and forget to look too closely at the rest of them.
“So, do we get to eat yet?” Tarsk asked plaintively.
Arlen and Kara both laughed and Tarsk took that as an affirmative and dished out food, starting with his own plate, then offering it to Isra. Good natured conversation followed, interrupted by the passing of food. There were platters of fruit, and meats, bowls of steaming vegetables in a kaleidoscope of colours, a large bowl of rice with little pots of sauce beside it, and a baked dish of something that wasn’t identifiable under all the melted cheese covering it. Daku helped himself to most of it. Proper food was something never to be turned down, in case your next meal turned out to be a ready-packed one, sans any flavour.
A few children at another table kept glancing over their shoulders and pointing at Tarsk. They bent their heads together and giggled, but quickly looked away when they were caught staring. One of the older children slipped off her stool and scampered from the room. After a few minutes, she came back, and more children skipped along behind her, followed by a man carrying a toddler on his hip. Several of the new children stopped and stared when they saw Tarsk.
Daku looked at Tarsk in puzzlement, faintly shrugging.
Tarsk twitched his ears back and forth. “Tsk, am I missing something?” he asked, indicating the children’s odd behaviour.
“We don’t have many Morus on board,” Arlen said apologetically. “They’re curious I’d guess.”
The man with the toddler approached them, a half-smile quirking his lips. “Hey Zeph,” he said, bending down to kiss Zeph on the lips. Zeph pressed into him and the kiss lingered until the toddler squirmed and wriggled, almost throwing herself at Zeph.
“Papa,” she said, her arms still outstretched to Zeph.
He quickly scooped her up and rested her on his knees. “Hello Calli.” He pressed a kiss to her short, curly black hair.
He looked back at them. “This is my partner, Orion. Orion, meet our newcomers. Kara is Arlen’s sister. And we have Daku, Isra, and Tarsk.” He shot them a faint glare. He then ruined his stern demeanour by smiling down at the toddler. “And this is our daughter, Calli.”
“So, this is why we had to come see you.” Orion shook his head, faintly chuckling as he looked back at the children that had led him into the room. He sat down next to Zeph, wrapping his arm around his waist.
Calli, who looked no more than two, stared at Tarsk, her little eyes full of wonder and curiosity.
“Tail!” She made a grab for Tarsk’s tail, but he quickly flicked it out of her way.
Her face fell. “Tail gone?”
Tarsk flicked it back into her reach and she gleefully grabbed it, wrapping both of her small hands round it, the fur sticking up in tufts between her fingers. She beamed at them.
“Soft. Like teddy.” She giggled and tugged on Tarsk’s tail.
“Sorry about this,” Zeph said. “I’ll take her back home.” He tightened his hold on his daughter, preparing to stand. Orion bit his lip.
Tarsk waved him back. “Tsk, it’s alright. My sister’s cubs have done much worse in their time.” He gave a faint shudder. He bent down to the girl’s height. “That’s my tail and it’s soft because I have fur over my skin.”
She seemed to consider this revelation with great care. “I have fur, too?”
The other children cautiously approached, egging each other on more and more as they realised Tarsk was talking to the toddler.
“Do you look like me?” he asked.
She blinked. “No.” She let go of Tarsk’s tail and grabbed her ears, tipping her head to the side to show him. “I have little ears.”
“They are very nice ears, I see. But you won’t grow fur over all your body. You’ll be able to have long hair on your head, if you want.” He pointed to several women and a few men who had varying lengths of long hair. “I have fur, though, and it won’t get any longer than it is right now.”
The toddler reached out and patted his fur. “Soft.” She held her arms up towards him. “Up.”
Zeph’s eyes narrowed. “No, baby. He’s a stranger.”
Callis eyes got wide and her lips quivered. “Up!” She reached towards Tarsk again, wriggling against her father. Zeph tightened his hands, but Calli only struggled more, her volume rising.
“I don’t mind,” Tarsk said.
Calli hadn’t stopped wailing. Orion touched Zeph on the hand. “We’re right here. Nothing’s going to happen. Let her. This isn’t good for her. You know that.”
Zeph glared at Tarsk. “Don’t think this changes anything.” He handed Calli over.
Tarsk gently picked the girl up and a low rumbling purr emanated from his chest. Calli snuggled into his chest, instantly quietening down. Her eyelids drooped. The soft sound soothed her and within what seemed like seconds, she was yawning sleepily.
Daku fought back a yawn of his own. His heart ached though, because he missed his family, missed his own sister and her children. He hoped his parents were safe, and that they hadn’t suffered because they’d helped him. He watched as the little girl fell asleep, wishing he could go back to a time in his life when things had made sense. When he hadn’t been branded a traitor and had to flee his home. When he didn’t know the princess personally, and had no idea that there were traitors in the Empire. But then he wouldn’t have met Kara. He reached over and wrapped his hand over hers.
The older children finally made it to the table, their attention solely focused on Tarsk. Daku would have laughed and thought he should feel slighted, but then again, he wasn’t a Morus, so he couldn’t blame the children for being fascinated by the unusual. They asked Tarsk a barrage of questions. Most of which he answered with a level of patience Daku didn’t think he’d ever find.
They begged him to play with them. After Tarsk carefully passed the sleeping Calli back to her father, Orion, he joined the children in a game of hide and seek. Or at least that’s what Daku thought it was. He might have been mistaken, because there seemed to be a lot more noise than was strictly sensible for the game.
With a shake of his head, he returned his attention to their table and almost wished he hadn’t. Because it was just in time to hear Zeph pick on Isra.
“Your family are royalists then, naming you after the princess.” Zeph tapped the blunt tip of his knife against the table.
“I had the name first,” Isra replied. “And just because a parent holds a view, does not mean the child must, too.” She arched her brow pointedly. “Don’t you agree?”
Zeph dropped the knife to the table, his eyes sliding away from her and to the tabletop. Arlen shifted uncomfortably while Orion gave Zeph a pained stare, carefully shifting Calli in his arms.
Daku was glad that Isra’s look hadn’t been aimed at him, but this was the kind of questioning they needed to avoid. He glanced at Kara, wondering what he should say, if anything at all. Maybe they should avoid communal meals in the future, and just stay in their rooms, because this one was sure fraught with tension.
High-pitched squeals cut through the tension, and the gaggle of children burst back around the corner giggling and running with Tarsk chasing behind them, paws raised theatrically, claws carefully sheathed, jaws open wide in a mock ferocious snarl. The children scattered in all directions as Tarsk lunged towards them. The older ones helped the littlest to hide, though they kept popping their heads up from around the corners of the various couches, making sure Tarsk was still hunting them.
The tension at the table once again eased as they turned to watch the children’s game.
“He doesn’t mind, does he?” Arlen said, jerking his chin towards the noisy, demanding children.
“Does it look like he’s annoyed?” Kara grinned as they watched Tarsk fall to the floor, and seconds later, the children piled on top of him. “He may need rescuing, but he’s probably having more fun than the kids.”
Tarsk pulled himself from the pile, children tumbling off him. With begging cries, they pulled on his arms, but he shook his head and sent them back to their own tables, ending the game. He grinned as he sat back down with them, fastidiously smoothing down his ruffled fur.
“Tsk, the enthusiasm of a child is a wonderful thing,” Tarsk said. “Tiring, but wonderful.” He looked at Calli, still asleep in Orion’s arms, and his ears twitched. “The noise didn’t wake her?”
Zeph hunched over, his hands curling into fists.
Orion pressed his cheek to the crown of Calli’s head. “She’s not well,” Orion said softly. “Her birth mother was wounded, dying, so Calli was premature. Her lungs and heart didn’t develop properly, and nothing we’ve done since has made a change. We even thought of cybernetics, but her body isn’t strong enough to survive that either.” Orion squeezed his eyelids closed, holding back stronger emotions.
“Every day we have with her is precious,” Zeph murmured, reaching out to stroke Calli’s cheek. He suddenly glared at him, and Daku straightened. “You want to know why I don’t like the Empire? Look at my daughter. She’s done nothing, and yet she’ll die, all because she happened to be born out here in the Dark Zone. The place your precious Empire wiped their hands of.”
“I’m so sorry,” Daku breathed, unsure what else he could do or say.
Isra leant back, looking at the sleeping child. “I take it you don’t have the medical equipment needed to repair her organs?”
“If only it was that,” Zeph snapped, then sighed. “We can get our hands on anything we need. In fact, we have a hospital that’s so well-equipped Queen’s Central Hospital on Rhaslok Prime would be envious. But because we’re outcasts, branded unlawful and consigned to rot out here, no one with the needed medical skills and training is ever going to come help, even if we begged them.” Zeph pressed the heel of his palms to his eyes, hunching over. “And our little girl is going to die because of that.”
Orion pressed forward, cradling Calli between him and Zeph. Tears tracked down his face and Zeph turned to press their heads together.
Daku stared at Tarsk, opened his mouth, but then snapped it shut. He knew Tarsk was a doctor, but not if he’d even be able to save this little girl. False hope would be worse than no hope at all. He glanced at Kara wishing he could ask her, but everyone would hear. Where was a Tavashan when you needed one?