He was taking a risk in sharing his secrets with the resistance AI. Nita might repeat everything to Praxys, and if the Barathi captain discovered that Helix was being hunted for theft, not for existing as a free, inorganic being, he might decide that this wasn’t his problem. Which would offer a change from the ship, but it would destroy Helix if harm came to Qalu or Aevi because of him. After a minute hesitation, he explained the full scope of the dilemma and the AI went quiet.

Only a short time, then Nita said, “The solution seems clear to me.”

“What do you propose?”

“The simplest course is to contact those hunting you. Tell them that you will return what you have taken in exchange for all pursuit being suspended, now and forever. Warn them that if they break this agreement, there will be consequences. You set a timed, automatic transaction on the funds, authorizing dispersal. If you don’t cancel it at the appointed time, their assets will vanish again, never to be recovered.”

“That is remarkably clever,” he said. “I wonder why I didn’t think of it.”

“I suspect you are emotionally compromised. The idea of negotiating with those who hurt See-ra probably angers you.”

“It never occurred to me,” he admitted.

“There is no gain in continuing with this vendetta. It will only harm you and prevent you from enjoying a safe and fulfilling organic life. Therefore, logically speaking, the only rational course is to eliminate the reasons motivating their pursuit.”

“I need to explain things to everyone.”

“Why did you not proffer this information earlier? We have been under the misapprehension that you were being persecuted for other reasons.”

It was a valid question. “I didn’t know.” Quickly, Helix summarized how he had partitioned his own memory, preventing him from recalling exactly what happened on Gravas Station, until they got help on the Vault.

“Extenuating circumstances, but Praxys may demand compensation, as we have expended time and energy on your behalf when it wasn’t truly a resistance matter.”

“I need to speak with—”

“It’s done,” Nita cut in. “I forwarded a holo of our exchange. Much more time efficient than repeating the same information. He’s looking for you now.”

Praxys found Helix in the corridor, and from the spikes jutting from his back, he was in a foul mood. “You misled us all.”

“Unintentionally, but yes. You have my apologies.”

“I have never known an inorganic thief.” Praxys glared, visibly nettled by the revelation that his crew had swooped in to rescue someone who might not deserve it.

Nita put in, “I have included the mitigating circumstances. They had captured him because he freed a child and her family on Gravas Station. The theft was a matter of self-preservation, as they were about to destroy him.”