Mari faced Jason again. "Jason, even if our daughter didn't have as-of-yet unspecified feelings for you, we'd still owe you a debt. You warned us of the attempts to cheat us and harm this world, and you risked yourself to discover a serious danger to both this world and Urth, and then to prevent that danger. I promise you that my husband and I will do everything that we can to help you stay on this world. Unfortunately, I can't promise that we'll succeed. Your mother's ship has immense power."

"I don't want anyone hurt because of me," Jason said. "Especially not Kira's parents. Kira is the greatest person I've ever met. I know she's too good for me, but—"

"Did Kira tell you that she was too good for you?" Mari asked before Kira could say anything.

"No. She'd never do that."

"She'd never think that," Kira said. "Even when I didn't like you, I didn't think I was better than you. I may have been driving my parents crazy for the last several years, but I do listen to them."

"And I will not let you forget that you admitted to that," her mother said. Mari ran one hand through her hair, frowning in thought. "Alain? Any ideas?"

"We can return the item and continue to hide Jason," Alain said. "If he means as little to the Talese woman as he says, she may take the device and leave rather than continue to search."

"I don't think that will work," Jason said, shaking his head. "My mom may not care about me, but she never wants to lose. If I'm the trophy in a game, she wants the trophy, even if she'll toss it in the closet once she has it. Besides, those drones are close. I can't avoid being detected by them if we leave here, and even if we stay they'll find me soon."

"Mother," Kira said. "Please. I know what life has been for you. Everyone needing something important to them, and hoping you can help. I won't blame you if you can't help Jason. But there must be something we can do."

"Maybe," Mari said. She looked at Kira's father. "Alain, if we use the right illusion, we might be able to pull this off. We need to talk." Kira's mother pulled out her far-talker. "Let's call the Urth ship and announce that we've found Jason and the item he took. If we seem to be meekly surrendering, it might help put them off guard."

Jason spoke nervously. "They've got weapons. They might just—"

"We have shown them that using their weapons is not wise," Alain said.

"You did?" Jason shook his head in amazement. "Lady Mari, Sir Mage, thank you for not being mad at me about Kira. I'll never forget a single moment I spent with her. Even if there's not another day, I still–"

"Don't say that," Kira insisted. "As long as we're together, hope remains."