“The Khul do not rest,” she said quietly.
He was pretty sure they did, but there were enough of them that it didn’t matter. There was only one of him, however, and he needed a break.
“I understand what’s at stake, High Councillor. I was aboard that Hive.” His smile died altogether. That gray heaviness that he’d felt before after the last Khul ship had been sent to destruction fell upon his shoulders again. Being with Khoth and being silly with junk food had helped. But it hadn’t been enough. “I had to kill people I have known and cared for all of my life today because of the Khul.”
He did not use euphemistic language to describe what he had done and he saw his parents flinch at those words. But he had killed people, to end their suffering, yes, but it had still meant killing them.
“Humans have limitations. We will work within those,” High Councillor Nova Voor stated.
Jace almost laughed, because it was so like Khoth’s “superior” comment, but he had a feeling that Khoth’s mom wasn’t often laughed at and it might come out wrong.
“I’m going to help with the Khul,” Jace assured her. “But we need an understanding and then we need a plan. Those two things don’t necessarily come quickly.”
She blinked slowly. “I can agree with that.”
Jace saw Khoth’s eyes widened fractionally. He was surprised that his mother appeared–and maybe “appeared” was the operative word here–reasonable.
“Good. So, it’s been a really long day probably for all of us. I need to get familiar with my ship and sleep,” Jace added.
He scrubbed a hand over his face. There wasn’t yet the feeling of sand in his eyes, but he was tired. He should be more exhausted after what he experienced, but his super-charged body was taking care of that. But he needed to recover before he could face the Illumen Alliance and humanity and hold firm to the idea he had.
Humans are limited, after all, he thought mirthlessly.
“What do you suggest?” High Councillor Nova Voor asked.
“That we all convene tomorrow,” Jace told her. “After everybody’s had a chance to talk amongst themselves and rest.”
High Councillor Nova Voor nodded after a moment. “I do need to speak with my son.”
Jace’s eyes flickered to Khoth and panic beat in his chest. He really wanted Khoth with him when they checked out the Osiris. Though, like he had said, sleep was necessary so how much checking out would there be? Not much. And did Jace expect Khoth to sleep with him? Cuddled up on an alien bed in the Osiris? That was absurd! And yet, Jace felt an internal quiver. Khoth’s steady presence was allowing him to process things better. Now Khoth had to go with his mother. Would she let him return after all the decisions he’d made that she might think compromised the Alliance?
“I’ll return him to you,” High Councillor Nova Voor said with another of those faint smiles.
Jace blinked rapidly as he realized that she read in his expression his need for Khoth’s presence. For a race that seemed to have little love for emotions, they certainly understood them.
“Yes, that would be good. But only if Khoth wants to, of course,” Jace said.
You made him Commander of the Osiris! Gehenna cried, clearly liking Khoth’s presence too. She can’t keep him from us!
That was sort of a joke–
No, it wasn’t! You meant it! He’s part of the crew! Gehenna wasn’t taking any of his excuses.
Khoth has to make that decision. He’s part of the Alliance. She’s his mom. If he wants to be with us then he will, Jace was telling her that as much as he was telling himself.
Jace met Khoth’s blue-on-blue gaze.
“I will meet you aboard the Osiris before your sleep period,” Khoth stated.
Jace swallowed. “Good. That’s good.”
“Would you like accommodations on the ground or will you remain on your ships?” his mother asked High Councillor Nova Voor.
“I would request accommodation aboard the Osiris,” High Councillor Nova Voor stated simply.
“That won’t be possible at this time,” General Intoshkin interceded smoothly.
Though Jace wanted to tell the General that wasn’t his call, he didn’t want to open up any possibility of High Councillor Nova Voor being on the Osiris. Though he was certain the Osiris could corral her and her people, it just didn’t feel like a good idea to have her in his territory.
