Chương 96: Borrowing Trouble

The dining area had transformed over the past months. Augustus had acquired a long table, solid wood built to last, that could comfortably seat twelve. Tonight it was ladened with dishes both familiar and alien, steam rising from platters of grilled fish, roasted vegetables, and things Alexander had learned not to examine too closely. He was the last to arrive. Annie sat to the left of his usual spot at the head of the table, something the others had decided for him, already reaching for bread.

Augustus claimed the right, pouring wine with the practiced ease of someone who'd hosted dinners in another life. Talia had taken the seat beside Annie, tablet nowhere in sight for once. Felix sat next to Augustus in golden retriever form, somehow managing to look dignified despite being a dog at a dinner table. Gilly occupied the next seat, six eyes bright with anticipation as he studied the spread. Krrsh's multiple limbs made seating arrangements complicated, but they'd worked it out months ago.

The others filled in down the table. Chime's crystalline form caught the light from the overhead fixtures. The quiet one sat near the far end, content to observe. Goram and Reth sat at the very end, carefully distanced, with their own specialized meals. Alexander's nose caught a whiff of something sulfurous and immediately regretted the instinctive inhalation as he passed by. He'd learned not to look too closely at what the rock alien ate.

Chilli's cage sat in the corner, door open, a cracked window allowing the bird to come and go freely. Currently sleeping, the scarlet macaw was mercifully quiet.

"About time," Annie said around a mouthful of bread.

"Augustus wouldn't let us start without you."

"Basic courtesy," Augustus replied, serving himself vegetables.

"Which you might try sometime." She stuck her tongue out at him. Four months of this. Four months of family dinners and casual banter and the comfortable rhythm of people who'd learned to live together. Alexander took his seat, accepting the wine Augustus poured for him. They were avoiding the big topics tonight. No one mentioned the news feeds, the reports of random Dreamer awakenings across Earth, people developing powers through nothing but exposure to others.

No discussion of GOLD folding what remained of STEPS into AEGIS, officially ending the bounty organization even as rumors persisted about internal operations still running. The protests and riots that had dominated headlines since the first invasion had finally begun to ease in some places after the UEG's announcement about humanity's "reclassification" by the Galactic Council, whatever that meant. But unrest continued in many parts of the world. Here on this island, they'd built something else.

A pocket of normalcy in a world gone mad.

"Gilly," Augustus said, passing a platter, "I tried something different with the salmon tonight. Let me know what you think." The aquatic alien accepted it eagerly, gills fluttering. He took a bite and his eyes widened.

"Is... grilled? With the fire? And also the..." He gestured, searching for words.

"The plant that is small and green? Herb?"

"Dill," Augustus supplied.

"And lemon."

"Yes! Is very good!" Gilly's enthusiasm was infectious.

"On my world, we have fish, but we eat them... not like this. Raw, or in the water-salt method, but never with fire. Earth has so many ways to prepare the same food. Is amazing." He launched into a comparison of Earth's cooking methods versus his homeworld's limited options, and Annie jumped in with questions about what other foods he'd discovered. The conversation flowed naturally, comfortably. Alexander watched them, a small smile tugging at his mouth. This was what they'd built. What they'd fought for.

His gaze drifted to Annie. She was laughing at something Gilly said, gesturing wildly with her fork. Happy. Fully present in the moment. He'd noticed the changes, though. The way she sometimes went still when she thought no one was looking. How she'd started swimming farther from the island, staying out longer. The careful control she maintained around the others, like she was constantly monitoring herself. The Spinosaurus form was affecting her more than she admitted.

The predator instincts were getting stronger, harder to resist. She thought she was hiding it, and maybe she was from the others. But Droney had alerted him to the problem, and he'd kept an eye out since. Had seen her fight against the urge to hunt, to kill. She was working on it. Training herself, pushing through the instincts with sheer Will. And getting better at it, slowly. He wouldn't mention it unless she asked. She deserved that privacy, that dignity. If she needed help, she'd come to them.

Until then, he'd just keep watch.

"Alexander." He blinked, realizing Augustus had said his name twice.

"Sorry, what?"

"I was asking if you wanted more wine," Augustus said, the bottle already tilting toward his glass.

"Thanks." Alexander accepted the pour.

"The salmon really is excellent, Augustus," Talia said. She'd actually cleaned her plate, which was rare. Augustus accepted the compliment with a modest nod, but Alexander could see the pleasure in his expression. The meal continued. Conversation ebbed and flowed. Krrsh asked about human music theory. Shimmer wanted to know if all Earth cities were as chaotic as the feeds suggested. The quiet one simply ate, occasionally nodding at comments directed their way.

Even Felix participated, though watching a golden retriever hold a conversation while delicately managing utensils with surprising dexterity never stopped being surreal. Four months of practice hadn't made it normal. Alexander found himself relaxing despite everything. Despite the mercenaries Santiago had hired to hunt them. Despite the three ambushes on Astra Omnia over the past months, hastily organized but dangerous enough that the station's security now went on alert whenever they arrived.

Despite knowing they couldn't stay here forever, isolated and hidden. For tonight, this was enough. Dessert appeared, something Augustus had baked, somehow finding the time for even that. The conversation had mellowed, comfortable silence mixing with occasional observations about the food or gentle teasing. Then Felix shifted slightly in his chair, drawing everyone's attention with the subtle movement.

"There's something we need to discuss with you all," he said, his rough-edged English thoughtful. The atmosphere sharpened. Everyone knew this was coming. Had known for weeks. Alexander set down his fork and gave Felix his full attention. Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel.

"We've been talking amongst ourselves," Felix continued.

"About going home." Felix's posture straightened slightly, as much as a golden retriever could manage formal bearing.

"Some of us want to return to our homeworlds. Others..." He paused, glancing down the table.

"Others have decided to stay." The words hung in the air.

"I want to stay," Felix said, his rough voice carrying certainty.

"With Grimnir. If you'll have me."

"Of course," Augustus said immediately. Felix's ears twitched.

"But I need to check on someone first. Before I can fully commit to staying." He shifted, and something vulnerable entered his tone.

"Her name is Maya. She was a security guard at The Nexus. She... taught me English. Helped me when I first arrived at the station, treated me with kindness when others saw only an oddity." Alexander leaned forward slightly, listening.

"When they came for me," Felix continued, "she tried to stop them. Got hurt protecting me. I don't know if she survived." The table had gone quiet. Even the quiet one had stopped eating.

"When we deliver the others home, I need to stop at The Nexus. Just to check." Felix's voice firmed.

"After that, I'll return here. But I have to know first."

"We understand," Talia said quietly. Felix nodded once, then continued.

"I won't be the one to bring the System to my people. I understand it's probably inevitable. The galaxy will change. Every species will eventually awaken. But I won't be the catalyst for the Syltharians." Alexander respected that. The weight of that choice, and the responsibility Felix had placed on himself. Gilly's gills fluttered rapidly, drawing attention.

"I want to stay too! Is... okay? I stay?" Annie grinned.

"Obviously, Gilly. You're part of the family now." The aquatic alien's six eyes brightened.

"Earth is amazing! So many things! On my world, we have water, yes, very much water, but here you have mountains and forests and deserts and..." He gestured expansively, nearly knocking over his glass.

"And the food! So many ways to cook the same fish! And the birds!" He glanced toward Chilli's cage with something like reverence.

"We have no birds. No creatures that fly in air. Everything is in water. Beautiful, yes, but... only swimming. Earth has much variety." Gilly's enthusiasm was building.

"My people, we don't have permanent... groups? We swim together, we share knowledge, but we don't stay in one place. Don't form the... the bonds like humans do. Like you do." He looked around the table.

"Here, I have found something new. Something my people don't understand. Family." His English faltered only slightly on the longer thoughts, and Alexander noticed how much he'd improved. Four months of constant immersion had done wonders. Gilly had even offered to teach him some Galactic Common, but he'd been too busy then.

"Besides," Gilly added, "the technology! The music! The holo! I could spend lifetimes exploring Earth and still find new wonders. My homeworld is vast, but Earth is... variety in ways I never imagined." Alexander found himself smiling despite the weight of the conversation. Gilly's joy was infectious. Then Krrsh spoke, their multiple limbs going still in a way that signaled importance.

"I also stay. Life debt demands it." Alexander felt his jaw tighten slightly. They'd been over this.

"Grimnir saved us," Krrsh continued, their translated voice formal.

"Gave us freedom when we had none. Gave us safety when we faced death. Gave us home when we had nothing. For my people, this creates obligation that cannot be set aside." Augustus shifted in his seat. Alexander caught Talia's brief glance, saw Annie's mouth press into a line. They'd each tried talking to Krrsh about it. Alexander had pointed out they'd saved the aliens because it was right, not to create debts. Annie had insisted they were friends, not debtors.

Talia had researched Krrsh's species, tried to find cultural loopholes. Augustus had approached it from a military honor perspective, explaining that forcing obligation wasn't honorable. None of it had worked. Krrsh's culture ran too deep, and they'd simply refused to accept that the debt could be dismissed. Eventually, they'd had to accept it. To respect Krrsh's autonomy, even if it made them uncomfortable.

"However," Krrsh said, and Alexander caught the compromise they'd reached together, "I have family. Brood-mates who will worry. I will travel with the others, return to my homeworld briefly, ensure they understand I am well." Their limbs gestured in a pattern Alexander had learned meant sincerity.

"Then I will return. The debt remains, but family also matters. This is acceptable within our traditions." Alexander nodded slowly. It was the best they were going to get. Goram rumbled from the far end of the table, the sound like stones grinding together.

"I go home. My people need to know I survived. Bring power." Simple and direct. No elaboration needed. Shimmer's iridescent scales caught the light as they shifted.

"My people will have mourned me by now. I should return and let them know the mourning was premature." There was something almost wry in their tone, and Alexander appreciated the dry humor. Reth spoke next, voice tight with an urgency he couldn't quite hide.

"I need to go home. Need to check on..." They trailed off, then simply said, "I need to return." Alexander noticed the anxiety there, the way Reth's claws clenched. There was something important waiting for them back home. Chime made a soft sound like wind through crystal, nodding agreement with the others going home. The quiet one simply raised one hand, palm flat. A gesture they'd all learned meant agreement. The table fell silent for a moment. The division was clear now.

Of the rescues, three were staying, and five were going home. Not counting Chilli, who was an Earth bird and had no choice in the matter. The team exchanged glances. Alexander caught Augustus's subtle nod, Talia's assessing look, and Annie's slight grin. They'd discussed this possibility weeks ago. Agreed that when the aliens were ready to go home, they'd make it happen. They deserved that much. Deserved to make their own choices about their futures. The how was the problem.

"We'll help you get home," Alexander said.

"All of you. Whatever it takes."

"Thank you," Felix said quietly. The others echoed the sentiment in their various ways.

"So," Annie said, leaning back in her chair, "how do we do this? We can't exactly buy tickets on a passenger liner."

"No," Talia agreed.

"Too exposed. Too many questions. And commercial transport wouldn't take them to their homeworlds anyway. Most alien species don't allow human vessels into their core systems."

"We'd need our own ship," Augustus said. Alexander had already run the numbers in his head.

"We can't afford one. Even second-hand ships with jump drives cost tens of millions of credits minimum. And I refuse to go into space with only the gateway network to rely on." He'd looked into it after the tournament, curious about the possibility. The sticker shock had been immediate. In-system or gateway-dependent ships were relatively cheap, not much more expensive than a luxury hovercar. But the moment you added a jump drive capable of FTL travel, the price skyrocketed.

The technology was expensive and monopolized by a handful of manufacturers across the galaxy.

"Then we steal one," Annie said brightly. Alexander shot her a look.

"We're not stealing a ship."

"Why not? We're supervillains. It's literally our job."

"Because stealing a ship means picking a fight with whoever owns it," Alexander said.

"And that list is very short. Military, civilian transports, or mega-corps. We'll borrow one. Temporarily." He glanced at Augustus.

"Military is out, right?" Augustus nodded firmly.

"Absolutely. Attacking UEG military assets is something even the most dangerous supervillains don't do. The UEG Space Force has its own monsters. We'd never have another moment of peace."

"Agreed," Talia said.

"And we're not hijacking a civilian vessel either. That crosses lines we don't cross." Annie deflated slightly.

"Okay, fine. So that leaves..."

"Non-military government assets, or the mega-corps," Alexander finished. The table fell quiet. The implications settled over them. Alexander ran through the options. The Five controlled most of the advanced non-military ships in human space. Goliath manufactured actual warships and advanced combat gear for the UEG and private militaries, so they were out. Zhao-Matsuura built the fabrication equipment that made everything else possible.

Zeigler controlled pharmaceutical supply chains and was the biggest supplier of the serum itself. Volkov BioResources fed half the colonies and mined the resources that kept human space running with their asteroid and colony operations. And then there was Santiago Systems, with a near monopoly on advanced cybernetics, computing architecture, and the autonomous systems that ran half of human space. Their recent expansion into the American market with their cybernetics and superhumans had made them vulnerable.

"I don't really want to pick a fight with the various governments or any of the other mega-corps," he said slowly.

"Not without a good reason, anyway. We've got enough enemies." Annie's grin spread slowly across her face.

"So we're going to steal a Santiago ship. Obviously."

"Borrow," Alexander corrected immediately.

"We're going to borrow one."

"Riiiight." Annie's grin widened. She made exaggerated air quotes with her fingers.

"Borrow."