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I do not have sufficient data to answer that question, the Osiris repeated.

Khoth was surprised that the Osiris did not claim to be the determining factor in the Khul not seeking out further battles. The ship and its crew had done extraordinary things that day, but still, they were depleted. The Khul should be sending every available ship to this location. But they were not.

Are there different factions? Khoth wondered. A faction that went to Earth to seek out the Osiris? That same faction that came here? Is that why no others are zeroing in on our position?

He felt like he had more questions than answers. But there was one question he knew that the Osiris could answer for him.

Khoth frowned and sent, Osiris, it was my understanding that you can only read Jace’s thoughts, not anyone else’s. So how did you know I wished to be updated at that moment on the Khul?

There was a faint pause then the words tumbled across the screen, You are the Commander. This is what you would think based upon my extensive personality profile of you.

You missed that Dr. Hayter had military experience, but you trust that you know me? Khoth pointed out.

Am I wrong? The Osiris’ tone was arch. Testy. Tart.

No, please keep me in the loop on any movement by the Khul, Khoth responded. Is the fleet providing you with enough fuel?

There is sufficient H3 being provided for now. Once the Pilot is restored, I will need to find a nearby gas giant to complete my fueling, the Osiris answered.

Khoth did not dig deeper into that. The Osiris was already highly aggrieved that Jace was not on board. But Jace had insisted on staying on Haseon in the Moturin Compound no less. They were in one of the honored, expansive guest suites that opened up into a garden that Amana herself tended. Sweet koiu trees shaded the open windows and a babbling stream could be heard in the distance.

He shifted in his chair by the bed despite the peaceful surroundings Khoth’s shoulder blades drew tight at being in a space that had been contaminated by the Khul. But that contamination had been neutralized. Such neutralization was how he had gotten to Jace, his father and the rest of the people in the Control Room.

Even before the vibrations from the explosion had ceased, Khoth had been striding forward down the hallway again to the ruined Control Room. He knew the explosion would have destroyed the Omull, but likely not disintegrated it. In death, the Omull might be more dangerous than in life.

His stomach had felt filled with ice as he slowly approached the damaged section of hallway. Dust rose up in a thick cloud in the air. He was keenly aware that larva could be anywhere around him. The floor, the walls, the ceiling. He could easily imagine them dropping down from the ceiling and landing between his collar and neck. He twitched.

Khoth, stop! Jace commanded.

“I must get to you, Pilot!” Khoth shouted even though he could have whispered as he was speaking to Jace through the comm. “Are you--are you… functional?”

That had not been the right word. It had not even encompassed what he really wanted to ask, which was had Jace been touched by the Khul. But to even speak the word “contaminated” would give rise to people wondering if Jace was hiding something. If one was contaminated, one was to alert others, not wait until one was asked. It was considered dishonorable to do otherwise, but Jace wasn’t Alliance and might not know this.

Everyone is functional, except… except Gehenna. But just stay where you are! Okay? Stay where you are! Jace demanded.

His footsteps slowed then stopped. “What has occurred with Gehenna?”

Her body was destroyed. She should have had time to upload to the Osiris, but she didn’t. I’m not sure where she is. He could “hear” the bewilderment in Jace’s communication. She’s not dead, but I can’t reach her. It’s like there’s a bulletproof wall between us. I think she may have uploaded herself to some of the old tech here in the labyrinth beneath us.

Khoth’s gaze snapped up from his comm to a sudden blood red “V” of light that filtered through the dust. It originated about six clicks off the ground. Khoth brought up his draagves in one fluid movement.

“Pilot, there is an enemy--”

No! No, that’s the cleaner! Don’t shoot it, please! Jace commanded. That’s the only one we’ve got working right yet though more are on the way.

Slowly, Khoth lowered his weapon and watched as the “V” of light spread out and filled the hallway. It swept over him and the entirety of the blast zone. His skin tingled not unpleasantly. But more importantly, he saw Khul blood and tissue glow hot red and then break apart into what almost looked like embers in a fire before dissipating entirely leaving no trace behind.

Khoth saw that the light emanated from a metallic silver ball the size of his fist. It hovered in the air, making a soft whirring noise. The whirring sound increased as it flew through the blown open wall into the Control Room. More of that red light bathed every single millimeter of the space before it retreated back into the hallway. There was a single red glowing “eye” which faced towards him.

In a robotic voice, the ball said, “Contamination eliminated. Area is secure.”

It then floated past him, bathing everything around and ahead of it in the hallway with that red light as it went about eliminating the Khul’s presence there. Khoth let out a long breath and the tension in his shoulders eased slightly.

“Help me get the Pilot up into the chair,” Amana’s voice rose up from inside of the Control Room. “He’s more awake now, but his limbs aren’t moving very well.”

“Do I--I have drool on my chin?” Jace’s voice sounded weak.

Amana’s voice lifted in confusion, “D-drool? Ah, I’m not sure--”