I want to say more to the group but I feel like it’s not my place. As an Archon, I have equal right to speak at this table, but only being an Archon for ten years, my knowledge is limited by comparison, and therefore, so seems any contribution I have to offer at this moment.

“We leave the planet now” Oka says again. It feels finite this time. Especially when Oz responds “We need to synchronize the beacons”.

Now it's official. More words that I intended to be to myself reach the group's ear. “This cannot be happening”. I say softly. My eyes closed as if I were dreaming, a hand touches my forearm. I open my eyes and look to see Oz trying his hardest to console me. He always made me feel like I belonged, always seemed to care.

Oz is the main reason I’m even here. He was the final vote during The Choosing. The last of the constellations to speak after Isic and Oka rejected me ten years ago. Yaer and Oz’s approval left it to the people, and the people accepted me. Now here I am, abandoning them.