“A planet called Veth-12. Industrial world, mostly refineries and mining operations.” Doren pulled up what little information he had on the system. “The star map flagged a location somewhere in this system. Whether that means another person like Ari or some kind of artifact, we won’t know until we get there.”
“And the Syndicate?”
“They run this sector. Think organized crime, but on a galactic scale—smuggling, gambling, protection rackets, that sort of thing.” He glanced at her. “Don’t worry. I’ve dealt with them before. As long as we have credits and don’t cause trouble, they’ll leave us alone.”
“That’s not exactly reassuring.”
“It’s the best I can offer.” He finished entering the coordinates and leaned back, stretching his arms above his head. “We’ll be in hyperspace for about three days. Plenty of time to plan our approach.”
She was quiet for a moment, her fingers absently stroking Ari’s wisps of hair. “Can I ask you something?”
“Always.”
“The Vault. What do you actually think is inside?”
It was a question Doren had asked himself countless times. He’d read every legend, studied every fragment of Precursor text he could find, pieced together theories from scraps and whispers.
“No one knows for certain. The legends say it contains ‘the inheritance of the Seven’—whatever that means. Some scholars think it’s technology, weapons or ships or devices beyond anything the modern galaxy has achieved. Others believe it’s knowledge, records of everything the Precursors learned during their millennia of civilization.”
“And what do you think?”
Doren hesitated. This was the part he rarely admitted, even to himself. “I think it’s both. And more. The Precursors were ancient when the first modern species achieved spaceflight. They had thousands of years to develop, to explore, to create. Whatever they left behind... it could change everything.”
“Change how?”
“Power, mostly. Whoever controls the Vault would have access to capabilities no one else possesses. That’s why the Grorn want it so badly—they think it will give them dominance over the galaxy.” His tail curled with distaste. “That’s also why I’ve spent so long searching. I wanted to find it first. Make sure it went to someone who would use it responsibly.”
“Someone like you?”
The question struck deeper than she probably intended. Doren turned away, staring at the swirling lights of hyperspace.
“I used to think so. I told myself I was noble, that I was protecting the galaxy from those who would abuse such power.” A bitter laugh. “The truth is simpler. I wanted to be important. I wanted to matter. Finding the Vault was supposed to prove that I was worth something—that my father was wrong about me, that everyone who ever dismissed me was wrong.”
“Doren...”
“It’s pathetic, I know. Spending my entire adult life chasing a legend because I have daddy issues.” He forced the words out, each one sharp with self-contempt. “Athtar was right. The Vault has been my obsession, my excuse for never settling down, never committing to anything or anyone. As long as I was searching, I didn’t have to face the fact that I was running away.”
She was silent for a long moment. Then she rose from her seat, careful not to wake Ari, and crossed to kneel beside him. She took his hand, holding it between both of hers.
“You’re not pathetic. And there’s nothing wrong with wanting to matter.” Her eyes were warm and steady. “We all need something to drive us. Something to chase. The problem isn’t the goal—it’s what you sacrifice to reach it.”
“And if I can’t stop? If I get so close I can taste it, and I can’t walk away?”
“Then I’ll be there. We’ll be there.” She lifted his hand, pressing a kiss to his knuckles. “And we’ll remind you what you already have.”
He stared at her, this impossible human female who had stumbled into his life and somehow become the center of it. She had no idea what she was promising. No idea how obsessive he could become, how single-minded, how willing to sacrifice everything for the prize just within reach.
Or maybe she did know. Maybe that was exactly why she was making the promise.
“I don’t deserve you,” he said.
“Probably not. But you’re stuck with me anyway.” She smiled, that warm, crinkled smile that made his chest ache. “Besides, someone has to keep you honest.”
“Is that what you’re doing?”
“I’m doing my best.” She rose, brushing a kiss across his forehead. “Now. You mentioned three days in hyperspace. I seem to recall you promising me a proper tour of the ship.”
“I showed you everything yesterday.”
