When they passed into space, Lily slumped against Vlex's chest. The Utori commander initiated the launch sequence again then gathered her into his arms and carried her to the rear of the ship. He set her on the ground and propped her against the wall. Large hands stroked her hair and cupped the sides of her head.

"Now, my dear, you may rest," Vlex said. "As of this moment you are a ward of the Xidian Hierarchy under my protective custody."

Otherwordly black eyes reflected Lily's exhausted face. "I'm a prisoner then?"

"For the time being. Sequestered aboard my dysonaught is the safest place for you." Vlex lifted one of her hands to his mouth and pressed his lips to her knuckles. "I did promise to keep you safe."

"And what about finding Earth? Bringing me home?"

"My second priority after extracting those memories from your mind. I told you a Gemmerian agent's mission is their life. I regard my life's calling no differently."

"Which is?"

"Preserving Bralian history. Reviving and protecting their knowledge and technology. Before the Utori conquered their race, the Bralians launched a great many zerospace expeditions, seeking to establish seed colonies in the far flung reaches of space, claiming territory before anything evolved on it. It is highly likely your Earth is the fruit of one of those ancient seed colonies, the only one we've ever heard of, the only direct link to the Bralian genetic heritage we have left. As custodian of that history and heritage, believe me, I have no greater desire than finding that planet."

Vortrand's warning came to Lily in a ghostly parody of the captain's voice.

If the Utori ever found out about an entire planet full of half-Bralians like you...Humans will end up the same as their progenitor species: conquered, raped, enslaved, destroyed.

"You'll invade," Lily whispered.

Vlex chucked a finger under her chin. "Invade is such a strong word. Of course, there'll be an Obarion presence on and around your baseworld. Your species cannot stand on their own in the larger universe. We must protect your planet and your people from the Verakian Initiary."

There would be chaos on Earth when the Utori arrived. War. A war humanity couldn't possibly win. Vlex said the Utori had evolved since they enslaved and destroyed the Bralians. He never lied to her outright, but his truths were...twisty. There had to be a way to secure Earth's safety and get home. The Hersch data, Camille's memories, were the key.

"You have a way to get the memories out of my head without hurting me?" Lily asked.

"The ceive. In three turns you'll be wholly yourself again."

In three turns Lily would have no control over her planet's future. The memories were the only leverage she had over any of these aliens. She had to hang onto them and she couldn't do that with Vlex.

"Then what?" Lily asked. "What happens to me after you have the Hersch data and you find Earth? Will I still be a prisoner?"

Vlex smiled a fierce, sharp smile. "After all that, perhaps you won't want me to let you go."

Lily made a confused noise as Vlex leaned in close. Her mouth was already open when the commander's lips slanted over hers. The kiss froze her for a moment. For someone as ferocious as Vlex, his touch was utterly tender. The intimacy was such a relief, she flowed into it. A palm to the commander's chest braced her. She pressed her lips hard against his and felt pleased at his pause, but his hesitation didn't last even a quarter of a cezin. When he felt her response, he crushed her to him, cupping a hand to the back of her head. Lily's tongue teased into his open mouth which elicited an alligator hiss from the commander. A ropey tongue pushed into her and they locked together for many cezins, tasting and exploring each other.

Then the flicking tip of Vlex's secondary tongue darted into Lily's mouth. Searum coating its exterior tasted sweet. Enzyme enriched saliva numbed where it touched. Eyes opened and narrowed.

Oh, no you don't with you're trying to drug me, Lily thought.

Vlex's chest was tough and cool under her palm. Beneath his thick hide, the rapid thump of his heart was the flutter of a hummingbird's wing. Fingers curled into the first position of the tertiary hold. She shoved hard into the commander's chest—his skin was much tougher than a Verakian's—and flew through the sequence. Completed it.

A sharp intake of breath accompanied Vlex's stiffening. Lily drew back. The commander's stunned expression made a mask of his severe features. He twitched once then toppled.