After dropping the stasis tube off at the largest and most advanced medical facility on the planet, Val and Peter went out looking for food. There was no point staying at the hospital—they couldn’t do anything further for Kaine, and they were famished.

“I’m surprised this place is so modern,” she said as they walked. “Aside from Rimzana, the rim tends to be pretty bleak and antiquated.”

“There’s a reason it’s called the new Elphine,” said Peter distractedly.

She glanced at him and saw he was looking at the stars.

“Okay, but how did they do it? There aren’t any scientists anymore in the Imperium.”

He smiled, though he didn’t look down.

“The rim may be a part of the Imperium, but it is different.”

“Are you saying there are scientists here?”

“I don’t know for sure, but I wouldn’t be surprised.”

She grunted, then pulled at his sleeve and pointed. “Look! I think we’ve found ourselves a tavern.”

He finally looked down and nodded.

They went into the establishment and were immediately assaulted by an armada of scents—from smoke and sweat to ale and spices to other less savory ones that Val preferred not to identify.

They waded through the crowd and sat at a table in the back. In the neighboring booth, a couple was eating. At least, she assumed it was a couple, but it was hard to tell. The female was human, but the male was not. She could not identify his species... some sort of hybrid with large globulous eyes, and wrinkled gray skin that seemed covered with saliva. It was disgusting, but who was she to judge?

Peter went through the three-dimensional menu and selected what he wanted. He made the display spin so it would face Val.

“Your turn, sis.”

She considered her choices and picked two dishes she hadn’t eaten in years. One had been a favorite of Nim’s. She grimaced and canceled that one, replacing it with something safer—she would rather not remember those days.

“I think we need...”

She stopped talking when she realized her brother wasn’t paying attention. She followed his gaze and saw a group of three a few tables away, whispering between them like a bunch of conspirators.

“Great,” she muttered.

Peter stood. “I need to go check something. Be right back.”

He hurried toward the group.

“Just great,” she said with a sigh as the ordered food appeared on the table.

She dug in, watching her brother from the corner of her eyes. He had just sat with the three strangers. They stared at him for a moment, then laughed and affectionately tapped on his shoulders.

“Are you sure you are human?”

The voice—deep and harsh—came from the nearby table. She glanced over her shoulder and saw the creature had moved its head closer to the woman’s, sniffing at it. Some of the gluey substance that covered its skin dripped on her.

“Ew!” said the woman. “Get out of my face, you perv!”

The creature jerked back, shocked.

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“I have no interest in human females!”

So not a couple.

“Hey, it’s none of my business if you prefer males.”

Val chuckled as she ate and listened to the exchange.

“Humans are disgusting,” said the creature.

The woman snorted. “That’s rich coming from you.”

“Axxarx is beautiful.”

The creature’s voice sounded hurt.

“We’ll have to agree to disagree on that one, buddy. Now, how about we get down to business? You’ve had your food, time to pay up.”

“Humans want strange things, always.”

“Yes, yes, where is it?”

“Here. It is fragment, only.”

“I am aware.”

Val glanced over her shoulder again.

The woman had long, black hair and wore a black robe. She held a large chunk of metal in her hands and was staring at it.

“Lovely,” she muttered. “Just lovely.”

A man’s voice rose above all the chatter, coming from across the room.

“There you are, Sarisa!”

The woman’s head jerked up.

“Shit,” she whispered as she quickly slid the item under the table.

The newcomer—a blonde with a haughty attitude—stopped at the table and looked between the two.

“Who’s your date, honey?”

“I Axxarx,” said the alien.

“Nice to meet you. Now scram.”

Val frowned as she finished her food. She pushed the plate away and reached down to her phaser, resting her hand on the cold metal.

The creature hissed. “I do not what you say, I do what I want.”

The stranger squinted, then looked at the woman.

“Is he for real?”

“What do you want, Merken? Can’t you see I’m busy?”

“Sure, sure. It’s all lovely. But you need to come with me.”

“I need?”

“You heard me.”

“No.”

The man tensed. Squinted again. At her this time.

“What do you mean, no?”

“I’m pretty sure you know the meaning of that word, Merken. Now, how about you be a good boy and leave us alone?”

“You’re coming with me,” he insisted.

Before the woman could reply, another voice jumped in—o ne Val was much too familiar with.

“The lady said no. How about you get a clue and drop it?”

She glanced at Peter’s table and grimaced. Her brother, though still sitting, had turned to face the stranger. His three companions were similarly oriented. Her grip on her phaser tightened.

The man now had his back turned to her, but she was sure he must be squinting at Peter.

“Why don’t you mind your own business, punk?”

“Because I’m a punk who likes poking his nose where it doesn’t belong. Now scram.”

She almost chuckled but held it back.

The man didn’t seem amused, though. Tough.

Meanwhile, the woman had slid out of the booth and, holding the chunk in her right hand, hurried quietly toward the exit. Val watched her go with a smirk.

The alien just sat there, looking confused.

“You think you’re tough, do you? I bet you wouldn’t be acting so smart if you didn’t have those three dumb asses to back you up.”

She could have told him he was wrong, that he still would have acted smart, but she held her tongue. She hoped the three dumb asses in question would do the same.

Peter crossed his arms, still seated.

“Funny. But not. Here’s the thing, though. You’re alone. I not only have three dumb asses, as you put it, but a room full of annoyed patrons.” The stranger looked around and frowned. Everyone was watching, and nobody seemed amused. “Oh, and by the way, your girl is gone. So what’s the point? Have a good day.”

He turned back to his drink as the man spun to look at the table and the empty seat where the woman had sat. He cursed and rushed toward the door.

Val stretched.

The man tripped on her leg and fell.

“Whoops,” she said. “Sorry. Didn’t see you there.”

The stranger cursed again and glared at her as he got back to his feet and hurried to the door.

“Nice touch,” said Peter, as he walked back to her table.

“You weren’t too bad yourself. So, who are your new friends?”

Peter did not sit. He stood next to her and looked over his shoulder.

“Old ones, actually. They thought I was dead.”

“Funny that.”

He looked back at her.

“I’m sorry, Val, but—”

“Go ahead.”

“What?”

“I get it. You’re on a mission. You have the Imperium to save. Go, then.”

He frowned. “Don’t be like that.”

She stood and threw her arms in the air. “How am I supposed to be? Happy? I just got my brother back and I’m losing him again. Great. I love it. See? I’m smiling.” She gave him a big fake smile, then stormed toward the door.

He caught up with her as she walked into the street, grabbed her arm, and forced her to turn around.

“No, Val. I don’t want us to leave like this. We don’t know what will happen. Do you really want this to be your last memory of us together?”

She punched him in the chest.

“See! You’re already talking like we’ll never see each other again. Why do you always do that? Everything is always dark with you. The Emperor is a monster. The Imperium is dying. I’ll never see you again. Damn it! Can’t you have a bit of hope for a change?”

“Can’t you see that’s what I’m fighting for, Val? To bring hope to the people—”

“At the cost of your own, yeah. I see it fine. Just go already! I hate goodbyes.”

He hugged her. She tried to push away at first, but then sunk into the embrace, holding back the tears.

“I’ve missed you, big brother,” she whispered into his ear. “Don’t you go die on me.”

“Never,” he whispered back.