But before he reached it, a message pinged, coded to his attention. It came from a local source instead of the distant node used by the syndicate. And Helix knew, even before the words reached him, what conclusion must be drawn: Toth Krag has arrived. The voice sounded deep and mechanical, audible only to him, via subcutaneous aural capacitors. “I have your Tiralan companion. You’ve proven an elusive quarry, but I’ve never yet failed a hunt, and I will not permit you to tarnish my perfect record. If you wish to trade your life for hers, here are the coordinates. Time is running out.”

If. That was the offer the bounty hunter made.

Except there was no question, no need for deliberation. Not when he owed everything to Qalu. His current existence, most of the happiness and all the pleasure he’d ever known. It wasn’t a complicated equation that required time and energy to solve. Helix knew when and where, so he merely had to present himself to save her. And he would, without hesitation.

But he had a few arrangements to make first.

Just because he was willing to perish to preserve her life, didn’t mean he shouldn’t augment his own odds of survival. Breathe. That’s important for organic lifeforms.

“What are you waiting for?” Aevi demanded.

Briefly he considered whether he ought to alarm the Pherzul, then he realized he’d promised honesty among the members of their love group, give them the opportunity to make their own choices. Qalu would want Aevi to know. And if he accepted that Aevi had equal worth, then she should receive all the information in order to make an educated judgment.

So he said, “The bounty hunter has taken Qalu. Soon, I’ll meet him to offer myself in exchange. If…” He hesitated, at first unwilling to speak those words out of some innate and primitive dread. In the end, necessity won out. “If the worst comes to pass, she will need you more than ever. To comfort her, afterward.”

Helix didn’t expect the Pherzul to launch herself at him, not an attack, but comfort. She hit his chest with a solid thud, and he held her close, breathing in the verdurous, dusty scent of the little one who had become so precious to him, remnants of her time in the garden. Aevi whirred and rubbed against him.

Her words were resolute. “We will save her. But if you fall in battle, I will avenge you.” Her big eyes shone with unexpected ferocity. “Even if it takes my whole life, I will find a way to make this Toth Krag pay.”

He took the promise seriously, for a Pherzul’s vengeance was no small matter. Already he could tell that Aevi held grudges, so perhaps the galaxy ought to take pity on the bounty hunter. Somehow, he felt better, despite the situation.

“Thank you,” Helix said.