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Typhon blinked. His father’s eyes widened.

“The whole city isn’t completely turned on,” Jace continued. “I can turn it on. Many of the issues you’re having--the entire city is having--would be improved and the major problems could be worked upon. Fixed.”

“You--you would do that?” his father asked.

Would. Not could.

Jace gave his father a gentle smile. “Maybe it seemed like I came here to conquer or… take back what’s mine. But that’s not it.”

“And what did you come to do?” his father asked.

“To save everyone,” Jace answered simply. He let out a huff of laughter and ducked his head. “I know how that sounds. But with the abilities I have I can--”

“No, it does not sound foolish or arrogant,” Typhon interrupted. “You are an Altaeth. This is your birthright.”

Jace put up a hand. “I’m not here for that either. I… I’m really here to help. Can I help you, Typhon? Can I fix your forcefield?”

Typhon nodded. “Yes, but let me warn my people--”

“No need. I’ve sent out a communication. They know what’s happening.” Jace’s eyes burned a hotter blue for a moment then smiled. “It’s done. Everything should be fine now.”

The forcefield around the Compound that had been blue was now green. Blue was likely a warning color that the field was not working properly, but they had accepted it as optimal. How many other blue force fields had he seen? Too many.

Typhon started to field a blizzard of communications from his people. His expression told Khoth of the amazement of his people.

His father rose from his seat and in a shaking tone asked, “What else can you do, Pilot? What else?”

Data

The canceaux flew in a wide circle around the Moturin Compound. The buildings were modern and highly technologically advanced from the calcanth that was used to clad them to the power and data lines that only Jace could see. Those lines went deep into the earth and he found himself following them into vast labyrinthine spaces where they linked to massive machines that purred and hummed instead of roared.

Dust and the debris of ages coated many of the tunnels and rooms. The machines still gleamed, but it was clear that no one had ever ventured down there since the Altaeth had left. The Thaf’ell, Jace truly realized now, did not know how the city worked or that it wasn’t working at full capacity.

There were many machines that were dark. Many lines that were empty. Those that were working, just like the Moturin Compound’s forcefield were malfunctioning on some level. In time, maybe less time than the Thaf’ell knew, all the technology they depended on would fail. There would be more dark, silent machines where no life blood of power built and swelled. When he concentrated on those machines, he felt life in them, life desiring to be brought back again. His head hurt more and he rubbed his forehead.

But I can fix this, Jace thought with a certainty that was born deep inside of him. I’m meant to fix this. Osiris?

Yes, Pilot, the ship’s AI seemed a little tentative.

He hadn’t spoken to it since the revelation that he was an Altaeth. He was still struggling with that. And it was not just him that was going to struggle with it. His parents had to be told, of course, and then the crew. Would he want this revealed to the Alliance? But that was a question to be answered at another time.

Osiris, I want you to provide me with a report about the planet’s systems. What can be fixed. What is necessary in order to fix it. All of that, Jace instructed.

Yes, Pilot.

Osiris?

Yes?

He wasn’t sure what he wanted to say. But finally he found himself stating, I know that all of this is new for us. Not just for me, but for you and Gehenna.

He sensed the Osiris wanting to point out that there were similar situations and things they had dealt with, but stopped itself. Because that wasn’t really true. And things hadn’t gone so well how they’d sprung this on him this time.

I was… offline when the crew left, the Osiris’ voice was small.

They left you? Jace felt he was touching something very tender here.

The one… the Pilot before… she ceased, the Osiris whispered. None of the others could be the Pilot. They could not repair me. And the Khul would be drawn to me. They had to leave.