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“I saw your mother, remember? Did she act logically? Threatening civilians? Thinking to threaten the Pilot? Someone she doesn’t understand? Someone who appears to be unique? Is that logical?” Davies countered.

Khoth grimaced. “She was emotionally compromised. She does not represent all Thaf’ell.”

“No, I’m sure she doesn’t.” Davis flattened his palms against the table. “I’m sure that the logical Thaf’ell will realize that the Pilot with his skills, with his ability to inspire, with his fresh perspective is dangerous.”

“I am certain there will be people who will worry about what I represent and who don’t want change. But I think things are dire enough that many will listen to me,” Jace said.

“Some will. They might even let you do some of what you intend, but they cannot allow you to remain after a certain point,” Davies said. “Because if they let you do what you intend they lose everything. The Alliance as it stands now will not survive.”

“And those in power now won’t be.” Jace nodded. “I’m aware of this.”

“Yes, I’m sure and yet… I don’t think you want to believe it.” Davies lifted his eyes from his hands and met Jace’s eyes. “You can’t speak like you do--for the heart--and not mean it. It’s the core of you. That hope. That belief in the goodness of people.”

“The Pilot is not naive,” Khoth objected.

“The Pilot is an optimist. And you’re a romantic, Commander.” Davies flashed a smile at him. “That’s why you left your home, your family and the Alliance on the belief in the Pilot.”

“The Pilot is the logical solution to the Khul,” Khoth insisted even as his hands tightened more.

“He is. And your defection will convince many of that fact. Your defection though makes him even more dangerous,” Davies said.

“You have not mentioned Flight-Commander Pyrhhus’ defection!” Gehenna pointed out.

“Because she’s not like the other Thaf’ell, is she, Commander?” Davies asked.

“You seem well informed about the Thaf’ell.”

Almost as if you learned about us from records you shouldn’t have.

“She’s great, don’t get me wrong. I hope there are more like her. She can adjust to new circumstances. Makes her invaluable,” Davies replied.

“We think so, too.” Jace grinned, happy with that assessment. “So down to brass tacks. You think I’m too much of an optimist to respond with sufficient seriousness to the threat the Alliance poses to us? And Commander Voor is blinded to it as well because he, too, looks for the bright side?”

“In a way, yes. You’re both too optimistic,” Davies said as he spread his hands.

“So you’ll be our Tenth Man?” Jace asked, looking actually excited about it.

Khoth frowned. Did Jace like this soldier? No, he was being… romantic. Jace liked the idea of a Devil’s Advocate. That it was their spy made it utterly galling though in Khoth’s opinion.

He must think we are so foolish not to know what he is, Khoth thought. No wonder he thinks to offer his services to us.

“Yes, that’s what I’m offering.” Davies’ strong jaw clenched. “You’re important, Pilot. More important than you seem to know.”

Khoth actually agreed with him on that.

“Do you perceive they’ll try to harm me when we arrive?” Jace asked.

“You don’t think they will?” Davies asked.

“I don’t but not because I’m being optimistic, but because those who see things as you’ve laid out must also know the Alliance is in trouble,” Jace said.

“They need the tech that the Pilot can recover, if nothing else,” Khoth said. “And they have seen some of his abilities.”

“You’re going to disagree with us, aren’t you?” Jace’s lips twitched.

“I wouldn’t be serving you if I did,” Davies responded with a faint grin. “Maybe it won’t be them. Maybe it will be simply someone unhinged after your display of power with the High Councillor.”

Jace’s gaze slipped down to the table top. He stared at it for long moments, unspeaking. His expression was no longer the bright, excited one it had been before. Khoth’s jaw clenched. This was Davies’ doing! He was stealing all the joy out of this moment for Jace. And yet wasn’t Davies right?