But if Kira told them they would feel obligated to try to help. Her parents, who had already given so much, would take on the burden of this as well, a burden that Kira would have handed to them because she wouldn't accept it for herself. And if either of them did get involved, if Queen Sien got drawn into it, too, and tried to keep that drive thing from Talese Groveen and her minions, the Urth ship had weapons which might kill many people here on Dematr. Innocent people, caught in the line of fire.

That left her. The only person that Jason could trust, and that had any chance of hiding Jason from everyone else. Because Jason was right. He and that drive would have to be hidden, and Kira was the only person who had a chance of making that happen. She felt her life balanced on a knife edge, knowing that every tomorrow would be changed by whatever happened now. She could not be afraid. Not when something this important had to be done.

"Kira?" Jason had no trace of sullenness or anger to him. Just fear, and hope she could tell was centered on her.

"Sorry," Kira said. "I was just thinking. How long would the ship look for you before it had to leave?"

"Before it had to leave? Maybe a couple of years if they stayed as long as possible and got food from the local environment."

Stars above. Why couldn't he have said a couple of months? Kira nerved herself and took a deep breath. "If we're going to have any chance of not being caught, we're going to have to leave right away."

He gave her a puzzled frown. "We?"

"You can't do this alone. It has to be done. So, it's my job, too."

"No." Kira hadn't thought about how Jason would react, but she was still surprised when he shook his head angrily. "No way. That wasn't why I came here. I can't expect you to do something like that."

"You didn't ask me to do it," Kira said. "But there isn't any alternative. You have to hide. You need someone with you, someone from this world, who knows it and can help you blend in. Do you know anybody else we could turn to?"

"No, but—"

"I don't want to do this. I don't like you that much, and I'm not looking forward to spending a long time in your company. But if I don't, you fail."

He looked angrier. "I know I'm not fun to be around, but I'm not useless."

"That's not what I meant," Kira said. "Do you think I can handle myself? What do you think my odds of blending in would be if I tried hiding on Urth?"

"Lousy." Jason made a helpless gesture. "Kira, your mom and dad are the most decent people I ever met. I don't want to repay them for that by stealing their daughter!"