“But my father—” Leo began.

“Has obviously been dragged into this against his will,” Crayt interrupted. “And that is unfortunate. But I will not suffer the same fate as him. I appreciate your efforts, Leo Fender, but if it is true the Djarik have discovered a way to weaponize the element, then perhaps that is for the best.”

“For the best?”

“All things considered,” Crayt replied. “Wars only end when our appetite to wage them wanes. Maybe it will only take a few examples of its use to convince the Aykarian empire to give up its quest for galactic dominance.”

“So you’re saying we should just let the Djarik go blow up a few planets and everyone on them to make a point?” Kat asked.

“If it will hasten the end to this conflict and stem the empire’s ambitions, then yes. A few planets seems an acceptable price.”

Leo couldn’t believe what he was hearing. Then again, Crayt was from the same species that had knowingly allowed thousands of humans to die just so they would get angry enough to fight back.

“Anything’s probably worth the price if you’re not the one paying it,” Baz said.

“As cold as it may seem to you, Captain Black, there is a calculus to suffering. Tell me honestly: Would you sacrifice one world and all the beings on it to save millions of other populated planets? What about thousands? Hundreds? What ratio is acceptable to you? One for twenty? One for ten? One for one? Would you let this planet be destroyed if it meant you could protect the planet you are from? Would you kill someone you’d never met if it meant saving someone you cared for?”

Baz’s eyes darted to Kat, then shifted back to Crayt. “That’s not the same.”

The Aykari stared at each of them in turn. “I am not saying it is an easy decision,” Crayt continued. “The Djarik are ruthless, yes. Their methods are brutal. But as far as I can tell, they are not interested in controlling the galaxy. Their desire is only to rid it of my kind and those that support us. And I do not blame them—not after how we treated them. Not after how we have treated so many. Perhaps when the Aykari see the new power their enemy possesses, they will give up their imperialistic fantasies and the bloodshed will cease. There can be no peace without sacrifice, after all.”

“Is that what you told the Orin when you first got here?” Boo asked.

Leo pictured the planet’s denizens cowering behind their brick walls as the fleet of Aykari ships came out of the sky. Watching as armies of Aykari marched through their streets, piercing their planet in order to bleed it dry.

“That is what we tell everyone,” Crayt replied.

“Listen, Crayt.” Baz jumped in. “I’m in no position to lecture somebody about what side to take, and I understand wanting to wash your hands and just walk away. But we’re talking whole planets here. Trillions of innocent lives. Even I know you’ve got to draw a line somewhere.”