“I understand, but…” Praxys hesitated. “We can’t continue to render aid. Our resources are finite and there are others who need our time and attention more, who are suffering simply because of who they are, not what they’ve done.”

“I understand. You’ll leave us at the nearest outpost?” he guessed.

“Vaadla Station isn’t far. I wish you well, but we can’t participate in this matter further.” As Praxys turned to walk away, he paused. “If you care about Qalu and Aevi, you won’t involve them in your problems going forward. They deserve better. Send them home and deal with the complications on your own.”

Though Praxys’s words felt like the Barathi had reached into his chest and physically crushed his heart with bloody claws, Helix couldn’t deny their rightness. He ought to do that. For their safety and happiness, he should let Qalu and Aevi go. But the prospect of parting with them now filled him with aching dread, such an onslaught of emotion that it prompted painful physical symptoms as well. As an AI, he couldn’t have imagined such extremity.

“Your suggestion is noted,” he said.

Some while later, Praxys made the announcement about their change of itinerary. He didn’t explain the course correction or why their paths were diverging. Maybe he wouldn’t even tell the rest of the crew. That was up to the resistance captain.

Soon, Qalu came looking for Helix, her aspect all confusion. Aevi sat snuggled against her chest, and he could see that the Pherzul’s feathers were losing their luster. Whether it was lack of sunlight or despondency over being trapped on the ship, either way, the little one wasn’t in good spirits and her health might be suffering too.

I need to let them go.

“What’s happening?” Qalu asked.

“There’s no reason to risk everyone and confront Toth Krag.” Quietly he explained the plan he’d conceived with Nita’s help. “I can take care of it on my own.”

A stunned silence followed, as if she couldn’t credit being so summarily abandoned. “But…they’re just leaving us? On Vaadla Station.”

“It’s for the best. I accepted their aid under false pretenses, even if I didn’t know that at the time.” He couldn’t bring himself to tell her what he’d decided. Not yet.

She might even refuse to get off the ship if she knew that he meant to put her on another one, a passenger vessel that would take her safely to Tiralan, where she could resume her research and Aevi could roam the countryside as she did before. Even if Qalu didn’t admit it, she must miss her mothers too. They were likely worried sick by now since she’d been out of contact since their emergency departure.