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The pebbled pathways leading deeper into the village were slick, worn smooth by time, reflecting centuries of ritual and resilience.

Ki’Remi led his crew as they approached the outer low-fenced boundary with caution, weapons sheathed.

The children were the first to stream from the dwellings.

They darted forward, golden-eyed, barefoot, and fearless.

Followed by individuals, couples, and families spilling out of the dwellings. Some in delight, others in curiosity.

Zera gasped, then, without hesitation, she launched herself off the hover-bed, stumbling for a beat before sprinting toward them.

She hadn’t been able to walk on her own two feet hours ago.

Now, she ran like she was chasing the wind.

He swiveled and caught the smile on Issa’s face.

Their eyes met, and she sliced hers away, guilty asfokk.

She’d intervened yet again.

Hell, this woman.

Zera fell into the arms of a middle-aged couple.

Her mother dropped to her knees, a wail of relief breaking from her lips as the young woman crashed into her embrace.

Her father clutched them both, his shoulders trembling from the force of his held-back sobs.

Ki’Remi exhaled.

This was why he did what he did.

Even if the mission was now shot to shit, even if they were stranded here until the Perseus got to them, getting her back home had been the priority.

However, the warmth of reunion was short-lived.

The Elders stepped forward, their expressions telling the Sableman they were still peeved.

Ki’Remi met their gaze without flinching.

The lead was Zera’s father, Elder Okaban.

In person, he was a broad-shouldered man, his eyes penetrating.

His fingers curled around an ancient wooden staff.

He studied Ki’Remi with hardness, his face twisted into a cold mask.

‘You brought back what you stole from us,’ Okaban acquiesced, his utterance deep, like gravel crushed underfoot.

‘You know well enough we did nothing of the sort,’ Ki’Remi countered. ‘She ran away from this village, found our emergency field hospital, and begged us through her pain to help her. Your daughter would be dead if we did not intervene. Also, to have done otherwise would have violated our oath as doctors.’

Okaban’s nostrils flared.

Before he could argue, Zera’s mother stood, eyes red with tears.

‘Huran, they saved our daughter,’ she whispered, ‘that is all that matters.’