“Do you plan to explain what’s happening?” he asked, trying not to sound as fearful as he felt. With all the certainty he could muster, Helix believed she wouldn’t abandon him here.

To his surprise, she did tell him, summarizing their situation with a succinctness he would ordinarily admire, only now there was just too much to take in. “You left my fate in the hands of strangers?” he finally asked, once she finished.

“Strangers who have made it their life’s mission to protect people like you,” she said.

“It will be safer once they get us off Tiralan. There has to be a—”

“You’re going with me?” That explained her sorrow over the lab, and for a few seconds, he couldn’t breathe. At first, he’d thought that she meant to dispose of him, and the pain was astonishing. Now he hurt for another reason.

“Of course,” she said.

Qalu had a good life here on Tiralan—a family who loved her, work she enjoyed, and the company of a faithful Pherzul. But without question, without hesitation, she was giving all of it up. For him. If he was a good person, he wouldn’t let that happen. He’d go to the rendezvous point alone and start over yet again, this time without losing his memories. Yet as he gazed on her, he couldn’t force the words out. The mere prospect of existing without her made it difficult to breathe. Possibly that difficulty meant that his systems were compromised somehow, but running diagnostics was not as simple as it had been.

She went on as if she had no notion of his inner turmoil. “It will take time for us to reach the meeting point. That’s why I’m packing now. We’ll head out in the morning.”

“I don’t want to go,” Aevi wailed. “This is my home.”

Qalu knelt and gently rubbed the top of the little one’s head. “Can you look at this as a great adventure? Just imagine all the wonders you’ll see. We’ve never left Tiralan, never traveled at all, and yet soon we’ll be among the stars.”

That quieted the Pherzul, who gazed at her wide-eyed, tail lashing. “We’re going that far? Show me!”

Patiently, she displayed a holo with various planets, and though Helix could tell that she had no idea where they were headed, she provided enough interesting options that soon Aevi was frolicking with anticipation. “I’m going on an adventure!”

“Yes, exactly that. We won’t know precisely what’s in store, but that’s part of the fun.”

“Let me see if you got everything.” The Pherzul peered and poked around the bag, checking to make sure. “When are we leaving? Tomorrow? Am I allowed to play outside tonight, like usual?”