She smiled sadly. “He is what he is. We all are. Humans adapt to the circumstances of their era. I think it’s time I accepted that and grew up. This is not what I wanted for myself, but in a thousand years’ time it could be. Imagine what we could accomplish as a species if we weren’t under threat, if we weren’t constantly running. We almost made it before. We were given a glimpse of how high we can climb if we didn’t have to huddle in the darkness out of fear. That’s probably why I always loved the Sanctuary star story, even though I knew in my heart it was probably just a lure. Every planet like Juloss has the potential to become more than a stopover, an island harbor in the long voyage; then just as the opportunity opens, we have to flee once more. Imagine what our knowledge and tools could birth if we were truly free, and had the luxury of time. I think I’d like to help bring that opportunity to the galaxy. I’m going to go out there and join the Saints in their battle.”

“I’m very glad to hear that, my dear.”

“I won’t be any use in the fighting, but there are other ways I can contribute.”

“There are,” Alexandre said. “But they must be ones you devote yourself to spontaneously. Not out of guilt.”

Yirella looked back down the promenade, hoping to catch one last glimpse of Dellian, but he’d stepped back through the portal. “This isn’t guilt speaking. It’s understanding. My graduation exercise is finally over.”

“Did you pass?”

“Yes. I believe I did.”

The Assessment Team

THE ASSESSMENT TEAM

FERITON KAYNE, NKYA, JUNE 25, 2204

“You killed them both?” Callum asked in shock. “You killed Javid-Lee and Rayner? Bloody hell, man, why?”

I have to admit, I was somewhat alarmed myself. Rendition I could understand, even almost approve of. But such readiness to kill another person was disturbing. I expected it from someone as damaged as Kandara, but I’d assumed Alik Monday was, frankly, more refined.

Alik shrugged, unruffled by the reaction. “Think of Rayner and Javid-Lee as contaminants that needed venting. It’s an appropriate analogy for those sons of bitches. Ain’t no need to thank me, I’m just a public servant doing my job.”

“You executed them. No! It was murder; simple as that.”

“What was I supposed to do?”

“Rendition,” Callum said hotly.

“Oh, yeah,” Yuri called out with vicious glee. “Now rendition is acceptable, is it?”

Callum glowered at him.