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I smile, then it fades “But she deceived us And we have no idea what this creature will be like, in its personality” My shoulders tense

“If it’s at all like her, it will be delightful And we can shape it as it grows, to honor Zandia and everyone here And we could have ht “There’s no reason we can’t have a whole swarm of Zandians, if she’s still fertile”

“True” I glance over at Mikala again Remember how she put herself in harht Like it was instinctive Like breathing That’s clearly how Danica feels about her young already “Hu power And if Danica loves the next ones as much as she loves the first…”

He nods “Exactly That’s the kind of ”

I sue in my ” I remember Danica’s fear e first talked to Dr Daneth “Do you think they’ll need to…cut her open? To take her out?” It makes me cold inside—in a way I’ve never felt in battle Not even back on Hectan-3, fighting the Ocretions I shudder

“I don’t know” Benn’s voice is uncertain “Dr Daneth said that the Akronians use their claws to rip apart their hts about that?”

“Veck” I feel sick with guilt “And we left her alone We need to get back there to support her No matter what happens, we must be by her side when she needs us”

“If she even still wants us We left her alone and said awful things to her” Benn’s voice is rough “Maybe she’d prefer different mates, ones who are more considerate”

“She’s not having other mates!” I shout, then lower my voice when Mikala stirs andher back, Benn I swear it”

“If we can” He turns to the console “What’s that?”

“Incorab the unit “Gorde, Benn, go ahead”

“Check your peris out into the area on speaker “Ensure youris functional Check for tails”

“On it”

Benn and I snap into action

“Nothing,” Benn reports, tension in his voice “I did a 360 and there’s nothing within fifty l-segs We’re clear”