Luna felt miserable.

  She was sitting with Taj in the garden. His projection was fully charged, as recently, he preferred it like that. He was looking at her. She noticed that he didn’t try to comfort her in this situation.

  Taj was right. She had to process it and manage it by herself.

  … After the meeting between Si and the Unio delegation and the announcements he made, the news came that Unio families were trying to dismiss Domini. They were attempting a sort of rebellion! They were pacified, though.

  But then, today, another piece of news came, the one about Mari Hal’s death. It was said that she committed suicide. Luna didn’t believe it. No one here did. Avery wrote about it, in his way, but she got it.

  Luna had known Mari for years. They weren’t friends, not even close to being friends, but she knew her. She was a girl who had plans and dreams; she was full of life. Si’s mother also said that they talked. It didn’t seem Mari Hal would want to die soon. It was that she was considering her options. And Si confirmed that she sent a message to Domini that she wanted to talk more about her family, as she wanted to confess something.

  What was it?

  No one knew, and now no one would ever know.

  It felt miserable to think she was dead, and it was because of politics. Because she had a crush, or she truly loved Si, Luna wasn’t sure but couldn’t blame. Feelings were feelings. Mari could act differently, but also, it was not about judging her actions. She made a mistake, more than one even, but she should have a chance to atone.

  “What is happening in Unio?” Luna asked many questions in her head, trying to grasp the current reality, the consequences of the recent events, and her role in it.

  She sat, buried in her thoughts, until she noticed Si’s mother’s arrival.

  “Thinking about the news?” Sara asked. She made a gesture to greet Taj as well. “My husband is exhausted. I left him to rest. Si and Lukai should be here within minutes, am I correct?”

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  “Right,” Luna confirmed.

  Before she could add something more, Si transported himself near them. He didn’t say a word; he sat; he also looked miserable.

  Luna noticed. She suspected he had the same thoughts as she had.

  What he said next confirmed her guesses.

  “It is my fault. I should have protected her.” Si stated.

  His mother placed her hand on his shoulder but did not comment. In a way, Luna thought, it looked like she wanted him to think about the situation.

  Luna didn’t say anything aloud, but it was something recently Taj had said to her. That Si’s actions had consequences for many around him, and he started to be aware of it—painfully.

  She couldn’t agree more.

  Lukai arrived through the Gate and was approaching them. They waited in silence. Luna noticed that Lukai looked tired.

  They were aware he had meetings after meetings with Domini. It was visible; something was being prepared, but not yet official. Lukai told them about it; he was honest.

  She snorted.

  Was he? It was difficult to say.

  Regardless, it was visible. The attempt made by the families should speed up the changes. But the problem was, Lukai had no real balance-changing argument, whether political or military, for the board to accept him as Domini’s successor, even if Lukai was his son.

  In fact, it was problematic; the families started to shout it was nepotism.

  Luna snorted again. Now they cared, truly.

  She was worried. She knew she didn’t have any power to help both of them. And she cared about both of them—for all the people to have good rulers, to have better lives thanks to their good management.

  Personally, as well, she wanted them to be able to fulfill their goals and wishes. Si wishes she knew, and he started to go in that direction. Lukai, whose goals she also knew, had his path less predictable.

  … Taj waved his hand; all looked at him.

  “Welcome Lukai. I have some news that should help us,” Taj said. “For the last few days, I was fully charged. I tried to approach multiple Gates. I can say with confidence that I can do it. The only thing I need is a proper Gate, one of an old design, closest to Lan’s project. If we all agree I should transfer to the Gates as fast as possible, then we need to start searching for this…” Taj said and handed a scrap of paper with a drawing.

  “O? Lukai? I can say you saw something like this somewhere—” Taj didn’t finish his sentence.

  Lukai interrupted. “Planet Three. The spaceship malfunctioned back then, and this planet has only one, but considerable, Gate, and it looks very similar to what you drew.”

  “So? Taj? When do we need to plan a trip?” It was Si who asked first.

  “Amazing. Even today,” Taj said.

  Luna gasped upon hearing the answer. That fast?