Even living in real time for the duration of their journey back to the worlds of the Accord, Dakota had found plenty of opportunity to think.

The Makers were still out there, still carrying on their aeons-spanning project to reshape the universe from within the core of not only the Milky Way but other galaxies as well. The question still remained: why had they undertaken this extraordinary project?

Why you? Bash had asked, during one of their numerous arguments. Why does it have to be you, and not someone else?

Why not me? she had countered. Theres no one else who knows what I know. That means I have to go.

You told me yourself there were other yous out there, he had retorted. Other Dakotas.

But those other Dakotas hadnt experienced all that she had over the last ten years, and that made all the difference. She saw things more clearly now, and no longer blamed herself for things in her past that she should never have blamed herself for in the first place. She understood things that those other Dakotas never could.

Martha Stiles wasnt the only one desperate for a sense of closure. Dakota needed it too, and so it had to be her and no one else. She would travel to the core of the galaxy, and there she would attempt to discover the ultimate purpose of the Makers and, if possible, find a way to destroy them that didnt mean genocide for the rest of the galaxy.

And if she failed, perhaps one of those other Dakotas would finally get her turn.

They arrived at the hotel, a slim, sideways-leaning shard of dark glass lit by glow-lamps. Bash took a step towards the entrance, then turned to see her still standing in the middle of the street.

What, youre leaving now? he asked, with a pained look on his face.

I cant stay here any longer, she said.

Bash let out a groan.

Dont, she said. Dont tell me to stay. Please just let me turn around and go.

She fought to control her emotions. It would be so easy just to stay, never to leave, to watch Evie grow tall and slender and womanly.

And that was precisely why she had to leave as soon as possible, before her determination had a chance to waver.

He stepped over to her and pulled her into a hug that felt likely to crush the breath out of her.

Ill miss you, he said, into her shoulder, his voice already muffled with emotion. Ill miss you so very much, Megan or Dakota or whatever damn fool name youre using this week.

She let him hold her like that for a minute, before carefully extracting herself.

Take care her of her for me, she said. For both of us. Always watch over her.

He sniffed, his eyes glistening. Youll be back?

If its at all humanly possible, she said, I will.