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“I talked to Ada Jane. She agrees with what I’ve already offered you. She said that it will do her heart good to see the property loved and lived in rather than going into disrepair again. You will not be asked to leave the property. It will be your home, but the only stipulation is that it will remain in her name, and eventually the names of our children and so on, so that it stays in the hands of her family. But you will have an open-ended lease to live there and in all other ways it will be yours. I’d like to add the stipulation that if we visit Earth, we can stay with you and Mel on the property.”

“Agreed.”

“Hey, maybe you could add a little cottage or something on the other side of the pond out back of the house. Oh, and hey, that little pond? I filled it with small fish before I had to leave it the first time. They should be large enough to catch and eat now. Enjoy, my friend!”

“I will add the cottage, and pens and shelters for her animals, too. Do you care where?”

“No, whatever you need to do to make it work for you. Just try not to cut down the wooded areas.”

“I will not cut them down. I like the trees. They are easy to hide in.”

“Just take care of it, Va’roush. If you have any problems at all, let me know. I’ll be glad to help with whatever you need. I’ll draw up the legal documentation and send it to you so that no one can give you any trouble about living on the property. Live there and be happy with our blessing. I hope you grow crops in the fields and fill the house with happiness.”

Va’roush nodded his head slowly, afraid to believe that his idea had worked.

“Hey, why did you have to set off alarms? Couldn’t you have just comm’d the base, or me for that matter?”

“I left all equipment behind.”

“There’s a pretty sophisticated security system you’ll find in a safe room beneath the house. There are two communicators there. They are not configured for our system here on the ship, but they are configured for the base. Feel free to use them as you wish.”

“Thank you, General.”

“The only way to access it is with DNA. Place your hand on the scanner, it will recognize the Cruestaci DNA you carry and open for you.”

“Mel?”

“Once in, you can program it to allow her hand print to grant her access.”

“I will gladly be obligated to you for the remainder of my life. Call upon me if you are in need.”

“No, you’re doing me a favor by taking care of the property and making sure it doesn’t fall apart again.”

“The offer stands.”

“Hey! Did you hear that Quin is Sovereign now? His Ascension was two weeks ago. And he has a male youngling, just like him. Trying to bite everyone!”

Va’roush’s lopsided smile made a brief appearance. “Cruestace is in good hands. There has never been a Sovereign as fair and strong. Please give him my best.”

“I will. He’ll be glad to hear that you’re well. Take care, Va’roush. And remember, com me if you need me.”

“Thank you, General.”

“Kol. No matter what the fancy title is, I’m still just Kol. Isn’t that what you said they were, fancy titles?”

“Yes.”

“Take care, Va’roush.”

“And you, Kol.”

Va’roush handed the communicator back to Zhuxi, and took a few steps into the yard before he broke into a run — away from where everyone stood.

“Hey! Hold on! Where are you going?” Buchanan called after him.

“To Mel. I must find a way to load her beasts and her belongings, and bring them home.”

“Y’all got this?” Buchanan asked.

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