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She glanced at Dovano. “Based on the testimony we’ve heard today and Da’an’s corroboration, I believe the evidence clears Prince Lomax of wrongdoing. Do you concur?”
Her partner nodded.
“Congratulations, Your Highness. You are free and clear.”
Kat squealed and hugged my neck, her exuberance causing even Ospra to crack a smile. The officer turned to Da’an. “About the strategic plans, names, dates…”
“I’ve already forwarded the information to your handheld.”
She pursed her beaklike lips as she swiped the screen. Her feathered brows rose. “The file is here. How did you do that?”
“There is no way to explain it to a nonMnemonian,” he said.
“We must act immediately to apprehend Huavon. I must return to the ship to confer with my boss and come up with an action plan. Your Highness, you and Kat Whalen will be leaving the planet with us. We can’t allow you to fly yourselves back to Araset on a hijacked LOP vessel.”
“I understand.” I paused. “Can I ask a question?”
Ospra looked at Dovano. They shrugged.
“How did you come to be waiting for Seeher? How did she get involved with the GJW?” I shifted my gaze to Da’an. “Why was she so certain you would help her? She could read minds. Why didn’t she know you’d set up a sting?”
“That’s more than one question,” Ospra said. “After Seeher contacted Da’an for assistance, he contacted us. I can’t spare the time for a long discussion. So, for the answers to your other questions, I’ll leave that up to Da’an to address—if he wishes to do so.”
The Mnemonian nodded. “They deserve answers.”
Ospra glanced at her handheld. “I can give you one hour. I’ll send a robo with two personal jetpacks to take you down the mountain. We’ll uncloak the ship so you can find it. Remember, one hour.” She paused and looked at Da’an. “On behalf of the League of Planets, I thank you for your sacrifice and your service. The galaxy is a safer place because of you.”
She and Dovano swept out of the room, leaving us alone with Da’an.
* * * *
I had killed Seeher in defense of Kat and to prevent further death, destruction, and misery. Da’an had acknowledged Seeher had to be neutralized, and, in liberating me, he’d given me the means to take care of it, but what a horrible choice he’d been forced to make. I’d seen his tears of grief. Emotions were powerful. Emotion had kept me from completely caving to Seeher’s brainwashing and killing Kat.
What did you say to someone after you killed his sister? “This must be unbearably painful for you. I am so sorry.” My heartfelt sympathy sounded grossly inadequate.
“This is not the best day of my life,” Da’an replied. “But I’ve known the reckoning was coming, and I would have a hand in it. One cannot live as Dria did, do what she did, without the consequences catching up. In truth, it should have happened sooner. She destroyed many lives. Grief is the penance I pay for abetting her crimes.”
Penance? Abetting? Kat and I exchanged a wary glance.
“Years ago, I helped my sister flee and escape prosecution for crimes she’d committed on Mnemonia. At the time, I hadn’t realized how serious her offenses were. Torn between protecting my sister whom I loved dearly and doing the right thing, I chose wrong. Enabling her to avoid the consequences of her actions did her no favors. Did no one any favors,” he said. “I vowed if ever faced with that situation again, I would make a different choice.” His sleeves fell back to reveal bony wrists as he spread his hands. “Today I had a second chance to right a wrong.”
A robo scooted in with another pot of steaming tea. It set a cup in front of each of us and poured.
“Thank you. I was getting a little thirsty,” Kat said sheepishly. She cupped the tea in her palms, blew on it, and sipped. “It’s very nice.”
Questions swirled like the leaves in my tea cup. I didn’t know how to voice them or if I had a right to, so I took a sip. She was right. The tea was aromatic and flavorful.
“You are wondering what crimes Dria had committed on Mnemonia,” Da’an said.
Is he reading my mind? He’d saved my life, and I was immensely grateful for him deprogramming me, but that didn’t mean I liked someone rooting around in my brain.
“I’m not reading your mind, if that is what you’re thinking. That would be a violation. One doesn’t need to read minds to guess the obvious.
“Let me start at the beginning, and perhaps I will answer all your questions.” He raised the steaming teacup to his lips. His nostrils flared as he inhaled the aroma and then took a sip. “I do enjoy a fine cup of tea. Some would consider it an indulgence, but I consider it a necessity.” He carefully placed the delicate cup on the table.
“I am sure you, like others in the galaxy, have heard of Mnemonian psi-power.”
Kat and I nodded.
