Across the party, Zen grumbled something and pushed to his feet, striding over. His wings billowed behind him, and a few of his crew leaned out of the way.
Dutch offered a bright grin. “Be a dear and hold this.”
Zen dutifully took the lumber. “Why?”
“Mostly to see those muscles,” Dutch purred, running his long fingers over Zen’s tensed arms. Zen’s scales tinged darker as he rolled his eyes, but Torian noticed he didn’t move away or set down the board.
Dutch, meanwhile, refocused on Celise. “I’m Sequelta vel Dutch-Ath, the last remaining nylarian. I’m sure Moss or Torian told you of me?”
“You were mentioned.” Celise assessed him, clearly hesitant. Torian could almost hear her inner monologue:He doesn’tlooklike an ancient alien genius.
Torian snorted, but kept quiet.
Dutch gestured grandly. “I do hope you’ll stay. I’m already retrofitting this townhouse into a proper clinic for you.” He spun back toward the townhouse. Torian peered past him, but the interior looked like—well, like the debris-filled hallways of Colony 4.
“He’s not very good at renovation,” Zen added gruffly. “But he is trying.”
Dutch waved it off. “Well, I’m hardly a carpenter. But Iaminterested in your plight, Doctor Razner. We’ve had clean air on our space stations for millennia. I distinctly remember showing humanity how to replicate it.”
“You… remember?” Celise repeated skeptically.
Nasra interjected. “Nylarians had very flexible lifespans—the oldest in the galaxy, in fact. We still have no idea how old they can get.”
“Neither do I,” Dutch said cheerfully.
Torian sighed. “Well, if you showed humanity, they clearly forgot.” Bitterness tinged her voice.
“Or a select few remember exactly how, but have other intentions,” Nasra muttered. When everyone looked at her, sheshrugged. “I’ve been studying human psychology. Just because I think your species deserves another chance doesn’t mean they’re perfect. Like most species, with enough power comes corruption.”
Torian scowled. “Of fucking course. Point me at ’em.”
“Me, too.” Zen hefted the board over his shoulder. In his hands, it almost looked like a dangerous weapon.
Celise shifted her weight, redirecting their attention. “That’s our biggest issue. We know that cleaner air drastically improves symptoms and lifespan, but the odds of us fixing air purification on every colony station is slim. Which means we’ll need to address the human body instead. We need acure, and that might take time.”
But Dutch was shaking his head, a fond smile on his lips. “Humans. Always overcomplicating things. If you know better air quality is the key, then we determine barriers to implementing it on your colonies.”
“Easier said than done,” Celise replied. “Air purification systems are expensive and complicated to install. And even your system isn’t perfect.”
“What do you mean?” Torian asked sharply.
Celise crossed her arms. “I’ve felt a tickle in my throat since we disembarked theDestitute. Any artificial air, no matter how finely processed, is inadequate for my condition.”
Dutch waved this information away. His hair was glowing with tiny blue lights that trailed like dewdrops down a string, and they moved faster now. “Of course you have. Vaesa’s air is very stale. Once, this station met the standard of theDestiny—ah, apologies, theDestitute—but now those systems are breaking down. Moss is the key to repairing them.”
On cue, Moss intoned from a nearby speaker: “I am the key to everything.”
“How modest,” Zen drawled.
“I do not consign to modesty. I am responsible for your life.”
Torian swallowed a laugh, feeling relieved the proverbial cavalry had arrived. With all of these aliens around her, with thekerrac tree’s majesty overhead, surely Celise would recognize this as the best option. Even a “tickle” in her throat was better than compulsively coughing blood.
If her sister refused this now, she’d either be stupid… or very, very scared.
Celise probablywasscared, but she was also nodding along, contemplative now. “I suppose we could start with one sample size. See the lingering effects on my recovery, document my condition as Moss improves the air quality here…”
Dutch clapped her shoulder. “Yes! Eventually, we can turn our solution outward, but to convince your leaders, we’ll need data. Proof that Moss’s version of life support will be cost-effective and beneficial to every human colony. And in the meantime… well, Torian is planning to build a true colony here. Even Zen’s medic isn’t trained on humans. Folks might wind up needing a doctor.”
