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Job put his hands behind his back, military “at rest” style, looking pensive. “There’s no telling what other technology he has access to. Vandal’s not only trained in warfare, someone gave him guns from the future. Things we’ve never even heard of could be at his disposal. Killing him will be complicated.”

“He’s got a head. We’ll chop it off. End of complications.” Light Phases were natural problem solvers.

Job almost looked amused. “Very direct, Kahn. It’s a good plan. Hopefully, we can implement it in time. Vandal spoke of a day of darkness and light on the horizon. I think he’s moving towards some goal, and we need to stop him from reaching it.”

Rye was in full agreement. “The Light House is eager to stop Vandal from doing anything he wants to do. But we can’t leave Mayport Beach, yet. Especially not Kahn. Randa wants to stay put, and he’s going to do whatever she wants.”

Rye wouldn’t tolerate a separation from Tallulah Jayne, either. That coward wasn’t bringing her up to Job, though. Nope, he was letting Kahn take all the heat. Typical.

Job glanced away from the window to meet Kahn’s eyes. “I’d like Randa to find stable companionship. To grow closer to someone who understands what she’s been through. Isaacs, for instance, might be…”

“She’s not going to ‘grow closer’ with Isaacs!” Kahn interrupted, his temper sparking at the very idea.

“Kahn…”

“No! If you want me to ‘understand’ something about Randa’s life, then you’d better just tell me. Otherwise --fuck you-- I’ll find out on my own. I’ve got time. I’m not going anyplace.”

“It’s obvious you have strong feelings for Randa.” Job observed, unperturbed by all the swearing. Cross and Kingu were his nephews. He was used to it.

Kahn lifted an uncomfortable shoulder. “So?”

“So, do you even know what the feelings are?”

“What does it matter? I’m feeling something, and it’s telling me to stay with her.”

Job looked curious. “It’s just strange. Usually, only Matches stir up such intense, complex emotions so quickly. And she already had a Match.”

“I don’t give a shit.”

“Fair enough.” Job seemed amused by that dead-end of a response. “I have no real objection to you spending time with Randa. But if she has a negative reaction to the Light Phases’ continued presence, you’ll have to back off.”

“I’m not going anywhere.” Kahn repeated in a lethal tone. “Randa came to us. Not you. And we’re not moving from her side until she tells us to go.”

Rye crossed his arms over his chest, backing up Kahn’s assertion.

“And if she does tell you to go, you’ll leave her be?”

Kahn considered Job’s question. “Yes.” For a while. Until she calmed down enough to talk to him again.

“Very well. That’s how we’ll approach this, then. Just try not to ruin things by being too… you.”

Rye grunted. “Damn good advice. Kahn, write that down.”

Kahn flipped him off.

“Fight your compulsion to always say the wrong thing. Listen to Randa. Be patient and supportive. That’s my advice. And don’t murder too many people.” Job hesitated. “Unless your target is Saxon.”

“He’s a walking corpse, whether he’s the stalker or not.” Kahn assured him. “Sax scares Randa. No one gets to scare Randa. Not ever again.”

“She’s right to be scared. Saxon’s dangerous.” Job rubbed at his forehead, looking troubled. “Getting rid of him will save lives in the long run.”

Kahn blinked at that very un-Job-like remark. Typically, the Earth King liked to color inside the lines. Now he was okay with the Light House hunting down stalkers and ending them without a trial? Job must be really worried about the state of the world, if he was skipping pages in his precious law books.

Rye also seemed surprised. “Is this you being ‘proactive about eliminating issues before they spread,’ Job?”

“Saxon attacked the Water Palace, with my entire family and my Match inside.” Job said flatly.

Yeah, okay. That explained it.