Contents
Twenty-Two
Overview
On the Carryx ship, news breaks of an enemy command vessel disabled without self-destruct, thrilling Vaudai and spurring a risky approach. A hardened Carryx soldier divides every species into two teams: exploration and reserve. Rickar cleverly swaps places with Ghati, reuniting Ghati with Campar before the exploration group departs.
Those left behind learn they are held in reserve as the ship likely heads to study the disabled enemy craft, raising stakes for intelligence gains and prisoner fates.
Summary
Campar coaxes a grieving Ghati from bed with teasing and a shower, then brings him to the buzzing common room where multiple species have gathered. Vaudai, agitated and insult-laden, explains that an enemy command ship has been disabled without self-destruction—an unprecedented chance to study the foe’s evolving tactics.
Rickar briefs Campar and Ghati on debates over a possible trap and the race to collect intelligence before reprisals. Tension spikes when a heavily armored Carryx soldier arrives with four uniformed Sinen and orders all captives to separate by species.
The Carryx physically splits each moiety into two groups. Humans are divided, placing Campar and Ghati on opposite sides. Seeing Campar’s devastation, Rickar casually steps into the gap, draws Ghati toward him, and smoothly swaps places, allowing Ghati to rejoin Campar while a Soft Lothark guard is mollified.
After a terse, untranslated exchange between the Carryx and Vaudai, the Sinen march the exploration-designated group—including Campar and Ghati—out. Those remaining, including Rickar, Danna, Emmin, and Dervan, are told they are held in reserve while the others are tasked with exploration.
Left behind, Dervan pleads to follow but is denied. Studying Vaudai’s unattended display, Rickar infers their ship is departing the system toward the heliopause, likely to jump after the disabled command ship. He rebuffs Dervan’s suspicions, framing his swap as choosing a small, human act of care amid a war beyond their control.
Who Appears
- Rickar DaumatinPragmatic captive; engineers a subtle swap so Ghati can stay with Campar; observes strategy and likely departure.
- CamparCoaxes Ghati back to engagement; is distraught when separated but reunited by Rickar; departs with exploration group.
- GhatiDespondent captive; cleaned up by Campar; initially separated, then swapped to rejoin Campar; leaves with exploration team.
- VaudaiHalf-mind translator/scholar; elated by a non–self-destructed enemy command ship; hustles after Carryx to study it.
- Carryx soldierArmored enforcer who arrives with Sinen, divides each species into exploration and reserve groups.
- Soft LotharkJailer-guards who corral moieties, enforce positions, and explain assignments to the remaining captives.
- DervanAnxious captive who begs to join the exploration group and confronts Rickar; left in reserve.
- DannaFormer defense consultant; ends up in the reserve group with Rickar and Emmin after the split.
- EmminHuman captive; tries to reassure others during the split; remains in reserve after group division.
- SinenUniformed attendants who accompany the Carryx and escort the selected exploration group away.
- Budon of LuusWaddling aliens; gathered and split into two clumps by the Carryx; some attempt to re-merge.