“Yes, Sire.” He nodded. “One moment.”
The com’s connection paused, a shooting star spinning in a circle displayed in its place.
Ushyaz appeared, her face filled with worry.
“What is it, brother?”
“You’re about to be attacked by CTA forces.”
She searched his eyes, confusion lacing her own.
“What makes you believe this?”
He told her everything.
“Idris, I have never been more ashamed of you,” she scolded. “If their story checked out, why aren’t you already granting them safe harbor? That female has risked her life multiple times for our people. Her government sold her out. The least we can do is take her in as one of our own. A warrior’s soul should never be turned away just because their body doesn’t reflect what you expected.” Her golden eyes hardened, challenging him. “You had better fix whatever’s stewing between you two and find some common ground.”
“And what do you suggest I do with her entourage?”
“Take in her wing, if you trust them. I am going to put them under your command.”
“And the tributes?”
“See if any of them have any useful skills—the ones who do, we can keep. The ones who don’t . . . we will figure something out. I am sure the Overseer can find a place for them somewhere. It’s not our job to worry about that.” She shot a glance off-screen. “I am going to discuss the change of plans with my fleet. Please have Erlyn send Hwonk all the information you’ve gathered.”
“May the Stars guide you, sister.”
“I should be the one telling you that.”
* * *
Idris entered the hangar’s lounge, ready to tell the humans about the news.
Raizxl greeted him at the door.
“How many?” he asked, scanning the room full of chatter.
“Twelve pilots, if you include Jaiya and fifty-one female tributes.”
Idris winced at that number. How were they supposed to support sixty-three humans? He didn’t have enough spare guards to watch each of them. They didn’t even have enough extra cabins to fit them all. He would need to contact his mother as soon as possible.
His gaze landed on the woman who had enthralled him since the beginning.
As if she felt the weight of his stare, she paused her conversation with a bronze-skinned woman with onyx hair, which seemed to have a life of its own. He never saw the amount of curls she had before in his life.
Jaiya turned to him and tilted her head in the Daextru greeting, which he returned before making his way to her. The room fell silent as soon as his presence was noted, all focus on his coming announcement.
“Captain Lian,” he greeted, stopping before her.
“Prince Idris.”
“I have come to inform you that after much consideration, we have decided to grant you sanctuary.” He smiled, hoping to ease the tension in the room. “But under one condition. We are a starbase. We are not equipped to house refugees and cannot support the number of tributes you have brought with you.”
“So, what are we supposed to do?”
“I’d like to offer your wing the opportunity to defend this starbase under my command.”
She shot a glance at the corner of the room, where a cluster of women sat, huddled together for comfort. “And the refugees?”
