“I know you are. And I get why you didn’t tell me,” she acknowledged, staring at her empty cup. “But now that I know... I’m going to find a way to take out Nor.”

“And until you do?” Dex asked, lifting a hand for the bartender droid to return. It was busy with patrons lining up, leaning over as they spoke in hushed tones about the Arcardian attack. A holoscreen in the corner of the pub showed Nor’s earlier propaganda message, still playing on a loop. Dex wanted to throw the screen into the fire.

Andi met his eyes. “The way I see it, we have two choices.”

“We could stay,” Dex suggested hopefully. “Just for a while. Until we figure out what to do, figure out if we truly trust Klaren enough to see what help she requires from your...” He looked around, lowering his voice. “...new esteemed status in Mirabel.”

“Or we could leave. Go out on our own. And likely die trying to save the girls from an enemy we know little about.” She glanced around as well, dropping her tone to a murmur. “Klaren is the best chance we have to learn how to defeat Valen and Nor. And how to free the girls’ minds, if sneaking onto Arcardius and killing them both isn’t an option.”

“So we’re staying?” Dex asked.

Andi closed her eyes, then nodded slowly, as if she couldn’t believe she was agreeing. “We’re staying. To rest. Recharge. Eat some decent food for once. And then we’re going back to Klaren, and we’re going to settle on a deal.” She blew out a breath of frustration. “She’s right about one thing, at least.”

Dex had never thought he would hear those words come from her mouth. “Come again?”

“If her story is true...and as much as I hate to admit it, Dex, I believe her.”

He nodded. “Unfortunately, I do, too.”

“There’s still a lot we don’t know, and I don’t trust her. But Klaren’s right—this is so much bigger than just rescuing the girls,” Andi admitted. “And if I can find a way to free their minds...then I’ll have also found a way to free the rest of Mirabel’s, too.”

Andi’s face took on a thoughtful expression. “Lira was the next in line to be Queen of Adhira. Did you know that?”

Dex nodded. He and Lon had spoken about Lon’s regrets, in the hours aboard the Marauder while the two of them waited for Andi to wake. Lon believed he was the reason Lira had left Adhira, and Dex had sensed that the Sentinel placed some of the blame on himself for Lira’s mind being trapped.

The galaxy ran on power—either the desire to have it, or the drive to run from it.