“So I’m simply a means to an end, a way to get away,” Niko said. She eyed the case at Petalia’s feet. “I would bet that contains jewelry and other sellable materials? Sufficient to start you on a new life?”

“It seemed the most expedient plan, and there was plenty to choose from in Tubal Last’s treasure troves.”

“And what became of your master?”

They had moved closer and closer to each other over the course of this interchange. Niko could smell the flowers of Petalia’s hair, could breathe in their green, oxygenated scent, their proximity like a cool breeze on her skin.

At the question, the Florian’s hand lashed out, striking Niko’s face. Niko recoiled.

“Don’t ever call him that again!” Pet snarled.

Niko rubbed thoughtfully at the spot of heat along her cheek, although the darkness of her skin hid it. “That is fair enough,” she said. “Then we will leave it at this. You will help us to Ixumi and we will work together to remove the danger, and then we will go our separate ways.”

She did not say much to the others about the presence of the Florian, but simply let them discover it for themselves. Talon, lost in grief, did not care.

Encountering Petalia in the corridor, Lassite said to them, “You walk the same Spiral of Destiny that the captain does, but you follow in her footsteps in this timeline. In others, you lead the way.”

They could not see his face, other than the occasional flicker of his tongue, sampling the air.

They said, “Tubal Last liked to bring mystics to his room and make them predict what he would do next.” Their smile was cold as space, almost as empty.

He persisted. “Your life has meaning, but you treat it as though it does not.”

“I have lived for decades with Tubal Last. And a year with that man is a lifetime. Do not presume to tell me whether or not my life has meaning or what you in your ignorance think that meaning might be.”

They turned away and walked down the corridor. He stood watching their back and trying to see what would happen next, but everything was dark around them. They held doom in one hand and joy in the other and did not know whom or what to bestow either upon. He pitied them.

And he feared what they might do.

Like everyone, Petalia did pitch in with the daily chores of life aboard the Thing as they raced toward the gate.

Working in the ship’s garden, side by side with the Florian, harvesting the water globes that Dabry had requested, Milly said, “Be sensible. It’s a big universe out there and it’s hard to get by without some sort of start.”

“I have a start.” Petalia touched the gems around their neck. “These and more are plenty to buy what I require.”