{Gait}

With all the Numbered evacuated from the Emporium, the couples shared one last glimpse of the bisected planet. Buildings collapsed and broke away. The minimal gravity carried them off into the void between halves. The atmosphere all but leaked away. As they converted molecules into breathable air, their surrounding nanites worked overtime. Well, they should be working overtime. But they weren’t at all. Now they could see why.

Korac marveled at the continents and oceans laying beyond that shrinking sky.

Beside him, Sagan pointed. “Is that… is that Enki? Are we inside Enki?! Is Gait inside Enki?!”

Beside Tameka, Xelan frowned in surprise. “You mean you didn’t intend to cripple the Dyson’s Sphere by bringing down its only source of Aegis blood?”

They all gaped at him. Sagan stammered uncomfortably, “N-no! I wanted to put an end to Razor’s empire.”

There he went again. Ever since Xelan bargained with Razor for the cycling, Korac monitored the Prince with a treacherous history. How deep was Xelan’s commitment to this place and the people who owned it? Owned everyone.

Xelan frowned even deeper, as if resisting the urge to defend the Pain Curator. He shook the confusion off his face. “We need off this planet before the Primaries come. And they are certainly on their way.”

Against the deafening roar of the dying planet, they made their way back into the Emporium in silence. Matt and the young woman bearing an intentional resemblance to Rayne held hands, like the contact only satisfied a deeper hunger. He also let her borrow his shirt before arriving at the Emporium. Iuo and Puk were working out some kind of employment for the drone on Reipon. Pehton led a herd of cuffed Lyriks with her head hung in exhaustion. Korac chuffed a finger under her chin. She met his gaze, and he smiled for her. Some of the spark returned to her red eyes.

Korac caught Kyle’s sister with the wild brown hair looking at him. She turned away quickly with a blush and a comforting murmur for her lost little sibling.

Sagan and Korac shared a pitying smile. While he could tease Pehton’s crush to his ego’s content, there’d be no encouraging Ross. Her situation was more delicate.

Tumu, carrying Triss in cuffs, only had eyes for Xelan. Ever since the Prince returned to life like some fairytale miracle, the Tritan glanced his way every chance he thought there was no surveillance. But Korac examined the unfolding dilemma.

Overwhelmed, elated, tired, lost, grateful, hungry, frightened, hopeful—Korac was everything all at once. Everything that could bear a bruise did. All the invisible wounds bled. Not a scratch on him, and this was still the hardest won fight in his history as a soldier. Sagan required medical attention. And he could attend therapy for the rest of his life and still never scratch the surface of what this day meant to him.

A people. The Aegis. The Ancients of legend. They were his. Half his. And the price of finding them was costly.

Razor.

The Pain Curator orchestrated every monstrous memory in Korac’s mind. Made worse that he infested the love of his life with such horrors.

Sagan guarded Korac like a sentinel. An angel of retribution. In all her retorts to Razor’s petty barbs, she retaliated only for Korac’s sake. Not her own. He worried for her. Worried that she wasn’t processing the awful sins committed against her. And he hoped she understood why he wanted to see that night for himself. To know how to best care for her.

As if reading his thoughts, she squeezed his hand gently and addressed the rest. “We’ll start with evacuating our people from Enki. Then we’ll figure everyone else out. Ready?”

Tumu warned, “Be prepared to leave for Earth at a moment’s notice. We don’t know what we’re walking into, but I know there will be backlash for Gait.”

They stepped through the conduit and left Gait for the last time. Korac stepped into the brightest vista he ever set foot on. Oceanside, modern, and entirely too sunny for his tastes. He glanced at Sagan and hoped she imagined an elegant manor in some snow-capped mountains for their future. They never had the time for these conversations.

Like what about children?

Clenching his fists, Korac tried to fight that bit of resentment. They may never conceive together, but Sagan seemed more than optimistic about adopting Triss’ daughter. Which they also hadn’t found time to discuss.

Sagan caught him staring and tilted her head. She mouthed, “Something. Wrong?”

He wasn’t sure where to begin, and now wasn’t the time. He shook his head and kissed the top of hers.

Tameka announced, “This is Karter’s place.” She tried hard not to look at Korac, and he sympathized. This was beyond awkward. “They’re watching Pax for me—us. For us. She was made Eminent, by the way.”

Korac found that news surprising, but a happy, well-deserved title.

Xelan, too, double-taked as if pleased and astounded. “Let’s go congratulate her.”

Still carrying Triss, Tumu directed the rest of the Shadow. “Pehton, you and the fire brigade stay here. The rest, I’ll escort you to Tameka’s in case the other Officers are waiting. We need to be quick. Grab everything that seems useful. I’ll strip out Caedes’ equipment.”

Pehton saluted and set the ladies out to rest on the lawn.

Iuo called, “I got baby duty.”

They peered at him.

He shrugged. “I love babies. Don’t worry, Tameka. I’ll pack for Pax.”

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Sagan hesitated. “The dossier drive?”

“I’ll get it, Star. You take care of the maternal reunion.” One of the moistening films for Tumu’s lidless eyes winked at her.

She opened a conduit to another modern bungalow, and the rest of the group went through, leaving Xelan, Tameka, Sagan, and Korac alone. The blond Progeny turned to him and peered at his clothes. She made to straighten them, but quickly frowned. “Are these the same…?”

Korac nodded, a little disturbed. “From Toronto. Yes.”

“What is it?” Tameka looked between them with a confused frown.

Korac shook his head and smiled reassuringly for Sagan. “Nothing that can’t wait. I’m eager to get us out of this Dyson’s Sphere.” He headed inside, knocking on the frame. “Karter? Para?” Because where there was one, the other stood at her side.

Tameka followed him inside, calling, “Pax?”

“Mommy! Mommy!” The most adorable miniature Tameka ran into the open living space with a toy train that bore a striking resemblance to Xelan’s transport. The boy with short red spirals foaming from his head bounced into his mother’s open arms. That’s when Korac saw those eyes identical to his father’s, framed by deep brown freckles on his tawny skin. He squeezed mightily.

Korac kept his composure until he glimpsed the tears falling from Xelan’s lashes. Fuck. He busied himself with searching for Karter to keep the other adults from seeing how badly this day broke him down.

Until from behind, Tameka laughed softly. “Honey, you don’t have to hide from Sagan.”

Korac turned then. The boy bashfully hid his blushing face from the Seamswalker. She and Xelan shared an adoring smile before Sagan assured, “Ah, Tameka. I think I’ll go over here with Korac. Okay?”

Everyone developed a crush on his girl. For good reason. He pulled her against his side, and they stepped into the kitchen together. Behind them, the Sovereign Ambassador introduced Xelan to their son. Korac had to hang his head while clenching his jaw and his fists.

“Daddy?”

Korac shed tears. Especially as Xelan’s voice broke. “That’s right.”

“I never met you before this time.”

Like a certain glass ghost Korac could name. Sagan brushed a hand on his shoulder and the other on his bicep. She kissed where the muscles flexed from the tightened knuckles. He wished he were stronger for her. To provide her comfort after what she endured. But…

“I’ll never lose you again, son.”

That was too much. Korac found the nearest hallway and headed for the next room with four solid walls and a door. He closed it gently behind Sagan. Her company was always welcome, but he needed his back to her right now. This breakdown wouldn’t wait one second longer. His fist went through the nearest white stone wall, and he kept going until a pile covered the floor. Until his knuckles were ruined. Until he no longer needed the tears to scald him.

Calm. He sought calm.

Korac emptied his emotions into the construct he now knew the Aegis built. Stolen by rescued refugees. He pressed his forehead to the cool stone and breathed in the calm he claimed. He opened his eyes to see his breath. Curious, he turned and found Sagan chafing her bare legs, bruised as they were.

“I’m sorry, amos.”

Her teeth chattered as if her nacre wasn’t regulating her temperature. She offered a weak, trembling smile. “Do you feel better?”

Actually… “Yes. Let’s find you something to wear. Para’s clothes might fit you.”

She frowned and gestured to the demolition job. “You would think they heard that. Or any of us—”

“They’re not here!” Tameka shouted, appropriately terrified.

Korac headed out into the hall and back to the kitchen. “Was your son here alone?”

Xelan answered from the second floor. “Yes. That’s not like Karter at all.”

Sagan rummaged through their belongings. “I don’t like this. I’ll pack for them now and come back for them later. Let’s get the hell out of this Dyson’s Sphere.”

Conflicted, Korac searched for signs of struggle, a note, anything. Then it occurred to him. He stomped over to the nearest window. “Shit.” He waved for Sagan to look.

It was Xelan who spoke over his shoulder. “Imminent? But how?”

He straightened and stared into the other man’s eyes. “You’ve missed much since…”

The Icarus’ gaze narrowed. “One does that after their sibling and his right-hand man murders you.”

Tameka appeared between them. “Yes. Much to discuss. I want to get our son out of here first.” After another tense moment passed, she pressed, “Please.”

Right. Although it bothered Korac. Why wouldn’t Imminent take Pax? Surely he’s valuable. What could the enemy want with Karter and Para and their human companion?

“We can’t risk surveillance tracking us moving from one room to the next.” Sagan opened a conduit and stepped through it. Her ability evolved so much over the last week to where she no longer had to touch her passengers to transport them. Impressive.

She caught him smirking. “What?”

“Just admiring your capabilities.”

They kissed on Tameka’s lawn. She opened another conduit for Pehton and the Lyriks. “Only a few more stops, and then we’ll settle some place permanent. I promise.” She smiled sweetly to the drained Executive Warden.

Everyone looked exhausted. The Shadow split up and finished stripping the bungalow for its usefulness. Iuo left Triss cuffed on the couch. Bethany sat across from her, never raising her eyes to the surrounding activity. Pax played on the floor among their feet, acting as the worlds’ most adorable trip hazard.

Twice, Korac was surprised to find Lucy and Matt making out in empty rooms around the bungalow. Each time, he groaned in envy before slamming the door closed. He was searching for… there. Of course. In the library. Where else would he hide?

Xelan stared out at the ocean scenery, flat and uninteresting. Clearly under heavy control. With the thought of the Tritans wiping them out with an artificial tidal wave, Korac stepped into the room and closed the door behind him.

“You looked awfully comfortable in the Emporium and familiar with its curators.”

Xelan kept his back to him. His voice came softly, “Yes I was. I’ve scoured this entire galaxy, exhausting every resource I could to find answers for you. I found the truth about Razor in Wiw’s diaries. I sought him out to build a bridge between two brothers.”

This was too much. “You never told me—”

Xelan whirled then. Confusion and frustration lined his face. “Well, forgive me for seeking the entire story before I came to you with half truths—”

A loud crunch thundered through their conversation. Both men turned comically slow to find their women standing in the doorway sharing a bag of crisp chips.

Tameka pointed at herself with one. “Don’t mind us.”

Sagan nodded and shoveled a handful in her already full mouth. “Yeah. Go on. We’ll be fine.” She found time to wash the blood off her face and change into a crisp white tee and sharp black jeans. The pristine freshness of them brought out the bruises under her eyes.

With them present, Korac asked the important question, “What did Razor do for you that would constitute such indebtedness?”

The Seamswalker muttered around the food in her mouth, “Good one, honey.”

Xelan sagged in his bones. “Is it asking so much to get a moment of peace after being revived? After two years of missing out on everything?”

Tameka walked over to him and offered him the bag of chips. “This isn’t an interrogation. There’s so much happening. These are baby steps for us all to move forward.” She brushed her free hand down his face, and he kissed her palm.

With a sigh, Xelan finally answered, “Razor was my source for galactic tech when the Tribunal sentenced me to remain on Earth. He sponsored the Ionas.”

Korac almost rolled his eyes. “He only did it to promote chaos. It’s how he feeds. He was never an ally deserving of this Hall you promised him.”

The Prince shrugged, and in his signature innocence, vowed, “That doesn’t matter. I owe him.”

Sagan finished crunching in her infinite cuteness and ticked off on her fingers. “Other items on our agenda. One, what is upcycling? And two, why haven’t you asked about Rayne?”

“Short answers. Upcycling is using Korac’s bones as a host to a given cycled Aegis. They can speak and act through you. And Rayne’s fine. Or at least that’s what she told me when she paid me a visit.”

The girls’ eyes went wide. Even Korac slow-blinked at this development.

Matt cracked the door. “Hey, Wingmaster. It’s good having you back. But Tumu’s out here saying it’s time to book it. Everybody ready?”

The four shared an exhausted look before Sagan answered for them. “Ready.”