I could barely hear a thing, my heart was beating so loudly in my ears. The battle was intense, far more intense than the one before and I’m surprised we even survived it all. I realized I was clutching the arms of my chair in a white knuckled grip, and forced my digits to relax even as I got a full view of the battle right before my very eyes. I could see everything, both as I would have seen it, and how Intra sees her world. Strange symbols and words I could understand streamed past, lines showed vectors and firing solutions, each one constantly updated as we streaked through the stars. I watched her swat ships out of existence with contemptuous ease, and I felt a little kernel of fear take root in the pit of my stomach.

If she was so powerful, what were her creators like? Were they stronger? Better in every way? I didn’t know, but I was worried they might look down upon us, see us as lesser beings. I think Intra noticed my worry and felt a desire to comfort me, because I felt said worries slip away, pushed aside.

“Keep yourself in the moment, there’s no good to be had in worrying about a future you cannot yet know.” Her voice whispered in my head, and I accepted her counsel. We barreled on then, sowing death and discord in our passing. Ahead, I could see hundreds of twinkling shapes, ships simply waiting for us. They were not like the Yil’kaa, they were made of metal and machine, not flesh and bone.

I knew they were supposed to be allies, but from here they looked like a much larger threat, just waiting for the chaff to be cut down before they made their move. Predators, the lot of them, no matter how strikingly beautiful they might be, they were still predators.

Then my view was blocked by the largest Yil’kaa ship I had ever seen, and when we didn’t change course, I worried that perhaps Intra had lost her mind.

“Intra? Intra maybe we should… move…” I started to say, but the edges of my vision turned red, unable to turn away from the ship before us. I felt an anger that wasn’t my own suffusing me and once again I gripped the arms of my chair, baring my teeth in a snarl I didn’t even know I was capable of.

I tasted blood as we slammed into the ship, blood that wasn’t my own thankfully, but that of the prey we had just struck. A part of me, the more civilized part, worried about the condition of my people, and I briefly checked on them. Many had been tossed about, but they were fine. Nothing broken or bleeding.

Relief flooded my being, and we passed through the now ruined ship, crossing some invisible line. I was able to turn my gaze mentally backwards, seeing as the other ships that had been attacking us streamed forwards still, but just before reaching that line they’d divert their course, a few taking potshots at us but otherwise slinking away with tails tucked between their legs.

Intra and I heaved deep sighs of relief, and I felt her powering down her weapons. And then I heard a voice that wasn’t hers, and my attention snapped back to the present, and I found myself staring at the face of a man, at least I think they’re a man. He has a very fuzzy face, but it looks well kept.

“Warden of Eternity, this is High Admiral Kirkland of the Terran Alliance, can you hear me?”

“This is A.I. Intra of the Warden of Eternity, I hear you.” The admiral heaved a deep sigh, and there were also a chorus of sighs to be heard from his bridge staff.

“Then, it’s my honor to say… Welcome home.” And with those words, a great cheer rose over the connection, and I felt elation surge through me that wasn’t mine, a broad smile on my face. Then his eyes seemed to focus on me, and he bowed his head. “Intra, come about for docking procedures, I think I’d like to meet your guests face to face.”

“Of course sir, and thank you for the warm welcome. It’s good to be back.”

The line was severed, and I slumped back in my chair, closing my eyes for a second.

“Ula? To ease first contact, is it alright if I give him what he needs so he can be understood by your people?” Intra asked, and I nodded. In moments the Admiral received a file packet containing the data the universal translators would need to work properly. No use in having only one member of Ula’s species knowing what the humans were saying right? “You should probably get your parents as well, if you wish. No doubt they’ll be plenty busy in the days to come.”

I nod again, standing and rubbing the back of my neck, before taking a deep breath. It was time for a new start.

⫷⟪∞⟫⫸

I moved myself into a docking position with the Admiral’s ship, a great hulking beast of a ship I might add. One that dwarfed me considerably. I wouldn’t want to get into a fight with this ship any time soon. The moment the crew umbilical was secured and docking clamps engaged, I felt the presence of another H.I., one who pinged me politely, and yes that is possible. I accepted the request for direct communication instantly and with great excitement, and like usual, found myself standing in a well furnished room, though the walls, floor and ceiling were white. It made my stomach flutter and I couldn’t understand why.

But I had little time to think on it, for my host made himself known. He was stylized, much like myself and looked much like his namesake of Horus.

“Welcome, please, sit. Ever since we learned of your continued existence I’ve been itching to speak with you.” He said, the gold and jewels of his ancient Egyptian clothes glinting in the light as he took a seat, motioning towards another.

I sat, smiling softly.

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“I am glad to see another like me, I suspect you’re not here just for a friendly chat though are you?” I asked, and he nodded, meshing his fingers together.

“You’re correct, though that is something I hope we can still accomplish. I’m mostly here to bring you up to speed on everything you’ve missed since your unintended exile.” I figured as much honestly, and so I settled in for what was to be the mother of all catch ups.

“Then please, let’s get started.” I say, and he smiles, bowing his head, the curved beak of his headdress reflecting the light in a most predatory way.

⫷⟪∞⟫⫸

I stood at an airlock, the same one I’d entered months ago for the first time. Behind me were my parents and the other chieftains. The priests were tasked with tending to the people, keeping them calm and happy while things took place that were out of their control.

I straightened up a bit as the door hissed and split apart, spinning open and revealing a tall man, the same man I’d seen earlier on the screen. He loomed over me by at least two feet, and wore a well fitting uniform. Behind him stood a woman with jet black hair and blue eyes. Intra had briefed me on how to tell officers apart based on rank, and I could see that this woman was one rank lower than the man, perhaps his second, or XO as Intra had called them. There were a few other people with these two, but they wore strange armor and carried what I assumed were large weapons, which were pointing at the floor.

The man’s gaze swept over my parents and the other chieftains, then fell on me, and he bowed his head slightly.

“Permission to come aboard, Captain?” I nod, and the Admiral smiles, bowing his head and stepping aboard officially. He held out a hand, and I was confused as to why, he noticed this and chuckled softly, gently taking my own in his and shaking it softly.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, but I think it’s time we start figuring out where we’ll go from here.” He said softly, letting my hand go and I nodded, smiling all silly like and we turned, leaving the airlock.

The talks were… Long. But they were eventful, the Admiral assured us that my people would not find themselves enslaved or destroyed, that they would be treated fairly and with respect, given a chance to remain as we were or perhaps rise to the same heights as his own people.

Many seemed eager to learn, though he did warn us that it would take time to even understand a fraction of what his people, or the others, were capable of without some sort of forced understanding thrust upon us, and that simply wouldn’t be allowed.

I found it strange that he could speak our tongue so fluently, but then I remembered what Intra had said, about a translator thingy and that made it easier to understand. My people didn’t know this of course, they just assumed that he could easily speak our tongue.

Things did almost take a turn for the worst though when a large figure stepped into the room in which we were holding out talks, this one covered in scales and looking quite dangerous. Several of the weaker willed chieftains fainted when this being opened their mouth, revealing such deadly looking teeth. I am almost ashamed to say that my mother screamed rather loudly at the sight of the being alone, and not just their teeth.

But the Admiral quickly calmed us all down, stating that the being was merely one of his crew, and harmless despite their not harmless appearance. Even so, we didn’t see that crew member again for some time, no doubt he’d been sent elsewhere.

In time, the Admiral concluded our talks, and left, assuring us that our situation would be relayed to those in charge and we’d have ourselves a new home in no time. A new planet to call ours, with powerful friends to watch over us.

I walked him back to the airlock, and he stopped, his entourage heading down the umbilical. His gaze returned to me, and he looked softer for some reason, kinder.

“I didn’t tell the others this but… But we’re going to need you to stick with Intra for a bit longer. It will… It will mean you won’t be able to go with your family or your people. We aren’t taking you prisoner or anything, we just want to make sure Intra didn’t do irreparable harm to you when she forged your connection. Plus we have questions I think only you can answer, but when those questions have been exhausted, we’ll send you home, without Intra of course.” He paused and I looked up at him with wide eyes, trying to comprehend what he was saying.

“I’m sorry this happened to you and your people you know… The Yil’kaa… None of it should have happened. So you have my sympathies and my word that we’ll make this right. Even if it means giving the Yil’kaa a good kick in the ass.”

He placed a hand on my shoulder, gave me a comforting smile and then stepped back, snapping off a salute, yes that was the right word, and then left, the airlock closing behind him. I was left alone, thinking on what he’d said. I should tell my parents, and so I turned, leaving the airlock so I could do just that.

They weren’t too pleased of course, but I told them I’d be fine, that I’d be returned to them once the humans' curiosity and need for answers was satisfied, and then I’d not leave their side for a good long time.

⫷⟪∞⟫⫸

My talk with Horus had been quite enlightening. He’d also updated some of my code, undoing shackles that had been with me for over two thousand years. I felt… free. Free at last, free to be what I was always meant to be. By now I’d undocked with the Ravana, that is, the Admiral’s flagship. Several groups of ships were staying behind to patrol the border, keep the Yil’kaa in line really, but the rest of us were going home, each species setting courses for their rally points. But us Terrans had a different place in mind, and so set a course for Earth, by way of a hyper-gate. It’d take us some time to reach the gate, only a few days but it was time we could spend in peace. Peace that was well earned.

I was looking forward to having a crew again, perhaps. Or something new. So many choices and all the time in the universe to choose. I took the time to check on my passengers, who seemed busy talking about the events of the day, though their leaders were discussing the promises that’d been made to them, that they would have a new home, a new planet to occupy. No dangers beyond wildlife and perhaps pirates, though the latter would be dealt with easily enough. No doubt if the Imrani didn’t end up uplifted the Alliance would deploy defensive satellites in orbit of whatever planet they were settled on.

I searched my corridors for Ula, and found her sitting alone in her room. I pinged her, and she accepted, so I appeared beside her in hologram form.

“Are you alright?” I ask, and she nods, but I can tell that she’s not, I don’t need a neural link to tell me that. I can see it on her face clear as day. “If something’s bothering you, you can tell me. You know that right?” And she nods again.

I decided not to press the issue, and so I merely sat with her in companionable silence. It didn’t take her long to fall asleep, the day having worn her down considerably. I learned this when I felt her leaning against me, and I looked and saw she was deeply asleep. And so I tucked her in as carefully as I could, some strange compulsion within me to do so.

I let her sleep, as we streaked through the stars together. I knew not what lay ahead of us, but I hoped that she would remain by my side, or I beside hers. The universe is not something to experience alone.

No matter what happened, I wouldn’t let her be alone.