Nero Awakening

come from different parts of the galaxy. Some of

t hasn't been inhabited long. Probab

blurts out from my lips before I give

a confirmation that sends my

hings of awe and disbelief, but I don't process them.

et until Zara extends a hand out, i

ing in my ears. My palm

ot al

f two Nero in

sy can't b

future," she says, and for the first time, there's a hard edge to her voic

alk about it now. I

lls me she means it and she

anges the subject, and I should be grateful for

a master their entire life, guiding and teaching them. Nova is twenty-two with no training. Pe

onstantly learn. We evolve. And we do that best around one another. My invitation for you to come to Sa

ation to come to Saly

ot wish to stay," she adds, soothing the smal

ying to give air to the m

I lose my mind. "We aren't Nero, we aren't Bahiri. Do we have to leave

uestion. Because their answer c

t stay, I'm

try to read their expressions, try to

e here. They don't know anything about

I'm a Nero.

ed t

," Zara says. "For now. We can discuss long term arrangements in the

lieved breath and nod

ed in dusk. But the temperatures do

alf hidden in the greenery and begins clearing the dishes. She's a small woman, maybe slightly older than myself. She wears the same drab, gray, shapel

up with a little smile. He places a hand on my low

ay down, then we hook to the left, to one of the sandy

are back, her chin held high. She seems so regal, so elegant. Like the Queen of Salypso. "And if you a

nd my father, and I nod. With a wish goodnight, Zara and To

o the house, and