Page 44 of Heart's Keeper

"We have all the resources we need here on XL-08, at least the bare essentials," Bo explained. "Gathering those resources and the energy needed to repair and create better equipment and materials will be harder, it's true, but it's not impossible. It will take more time, but we will manage." She glanced at Abrohs, then back at Lana. "As for protection...we have a few who were trained as soldiers before coming here. We could have them train others if need be. It's not much but...with the threat gone and the signal stopped, we'd like to believe we won't have to worry about another attack for a long time."

Lana locked eyes with Xerus, who remained quiet, likely thinking the same as her. They needed better than just a few retired soldiers. Even if the threat from Xolis was gone and Sythtec could no longer control them, there was still the government of Earth and its military that might come looking to colonize and overtake the planet, boundaries or no. And even if hunters never came looking again or if Xolis ceased to search, there was still the possibility of other threats. And with an expanding city looking to fill itself with various people, they needed someone to keep order.

A thought fluttered around in Lana's head as she considered their plans. She took Xerus' hand, turning back to Bo. "I think I'd like to talk to my people."

Bo nodded and, with a promise to talk again soon, left with Abrohs back to their research building while Lana and Xerus slowly made their way out of the city to their ship.

***

Lana gathered her team, including Elise and Nezka, to sit together, making a central fire on grounds just outside the city near to her ship and to Nezka's, who had resettled his own close by.

They ate a meal together first, from the extra provisions they'd saved, Lana happy to see everyone back together and thankfully in one piece. Some had acquired a few new scars and they showed them off. Krel boasted about his fights while Gyrix grumbled beside him about being rusty but grateful for his bombs which had helped to destroy the hunters’ ships. Lana learned of Nezka's scars and how he healed quickly, and Elise explained how she had learned to fight so well. They filled Xerus in on the various elements of the battle he had missed and talked of what was to come. Mostly of home.

Lana noticed Xilya was quieter than usual as she stared at the fire. As the others talked quietly amongst themselves, Lana took the moment to sit by her. They didn't speak at first, just watched the flames flicker in the breeze, seeming to grow brighter as the sun began to sink below the trees.

"I am ready to face the council," Xilya said after a moment. She turned and gazed at Lana. "When we return home, I will accept whatever punishment you deem necessary for my crime."

"Your crime?"

Xilya turned back to the fire. "I betrayed your trust and command. I had promised to tell you of Xerus' condition, and I broke that. I had been afraid of him compromising the mission. Perhaps if I had told you right away, you wouldn't have gotten hurt."

Lana dipped her head as she too watched the flames. "You did what you thought you had to. I'm not happy about it, but I'm not going to punish you for it."

Xilya shifted beside her, tail flicking across the ground. "The crew knows what I did. And what I had planned to do. Even not understanding fully of Xerus' illness, they agreed I had overstepped myself in not telling you and trying to fix the situation without your decision. I will be shamed back home, but it is the price I will pay."

Lana looked around at Xerus, who was talking with Aryus, then around to the others. She looked over at her ship, then to the forest beyond. "Maybe there is something you can do for me instead."

"What's that?" Xilya asked.

Lana rose from where she sat and, in turn, the others grew silent as she caught their attention. Xerus stood and moved beside her as she reached for him, taking her hand in his.

"I know we are all ready to go home. Many of you are ready to move on to new missions and journeys. I command nothing more of you apart from this mission." She looked around at each of them. "So, I don't order this of you as your queen but merely ask you as a human seeking help. This world has a lot to offer, with good people looking for a better future. But despite our success, they are still vulnerable and need guidance. They need protection." She looked down at Xilya, who met her gaze. "I want those willing to stay to help keep them safe."

They each stared back at her, none saying a word. Xilya blinked once, then twice as she looked up at her, then steadily rose to her feet.

"I would be honored to help." She bowed.

Lana smiled. She looked back at the others and saw the sisters bow.

"We would help as well," Nix and Dyrsa said.

Aryus bowed. "As will I."

Gyrix scratched at his jaw, thinking. "We could stay until the people are on their feet and are able to obtain their own defense. But to stay permanently is asking too much. Once a vrisha's mission is successful, they do not tend to linger..."

"We could tell others to come," Krel said, standing. "From Tryth. They could have us spend a year or two, then rotate out. And, who knows, some vrisha might want to stay longer."

"No vrisha would call another world their home," Gyrix said.

"But some might."

He huffed. "Like who?"

"Me," Xilya said.

The others glanced at her curiously. Xilya turned to them and bent her head. "I would stay," she said. "I will learn all I must from the people and aid those who come. I could make a place in the city for those seeking myself and other vrisha for assistance."

"Like an embassy," Lana said, feeling her excitement growing.

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