Though it was a toss-up as to which of the former prisoners was more startled, it was Dev who spoke up. “You can speak English?”

“Is that what it’s called?” She peered over at Reed. “It’s what this Nubian fed us. A language full of contradictions and confusions. He looks nothing like a reed.”

“I am sorry if I seem so startled,” Dev told her. “You learned English in a matter of minutes?”

The contact officer turned her attention to him. “Nonsense.” Reaching up, she tapped the side of her head “Implant allows it. It’s necessary for my work. On this recovery mission I have to speak A'jeii, Olone, and Kaijank in addition to several others. Your own language, while philologically chaotic, is simple enough.”

She looked around, studying the bridge. While its complement of mechanicals had ceased functioning, Dev suspected the automatons would be back at work as soon as their ongoing reprogramming was completed. Gadeu mechanicals had arrived to retake possession of the stolen ship. Now the Gadeu themselves had come to complete the repatriation.

“We’ll have you back on the old homeworld as soon as we can,” Maacah told them reassuringly. Relieved as he was by this pledge, Dev was too tired to let out a shout of approval. A bold, bright “Yeah!” from Reed would have to suffice for the both of them. Katou-Zimmer relaxed. It was, finally, over. They were really going home this time.

Except that Jakob Zimmer would not, could not, leave matters well enough alone.

“We know that you also originated from ‘the old homeworld.’ From Earth. Yet you haven’t visited it. At least, not in a fashion that would convince others of your existence.”

As she shifted her gaze to stare back at the scholar, Dev took note of how the indirect light glinted off eyes whose deep purple color matched the chromatic slash across her upper body. Visual implants, he mused. Or at least enhancements.

“Actually, we have revisited this system, but rarely and not recently. We have greater interests elsewhere.”

Zimmer challenged her. “Greater than maintaining contact with your homeworld? With your long-forgotten kin?”

“The third planet out from this sun is only our homeworld in ancient stories. Suitable for entertaining children.” The officer spoke as if referring to a fairy tale. “Having no fond memories of a time of ancient destruction and captivity, why would we want to revisit its source?”

Zimmer drew himself up to his full height. “Because you still have kindred there. Because we are you and you are us.”