The scent of the night and the cold wind silenced us during the walk. About twenty minutes had passed when we slowed down; Anastácia and I had already set down the two we were carrying.

  A deeper silence formed as the shadow of the Mirtis crossed the moon and landed ahead of us. The slaves grew frightened.

  — Don’t panic! — I said loudly. — They are our friends.

  One of the Mirtis’s doors opened, revealing the illuminated interior. I went ahead, but no one moved.

  — Aren’t you cold? — I asked.

  — Come on! — Tariel took the lead and ran into the ship.

  Even so, dominated by fear, they did not advance.

  I took a deep breath. Still, I couldn’t complain. It hadn’t been difficult to bring them this far. I went back, picked up the adolescent in my arms, and held out my hand to Nissi.

  — What’s your name, my dear? — I asked, guiding the two of them into the ship.

  — Mila — she replied, shrinking into herself.

  — AX, Mila feels warm. Could it be a fever?

  — I’m a good doctor — he joked. — I’ve already administered medication. She’ll improve soon.

  — Did you hear that, Mila? — I said to her. — You’ll feel better very soon.

  — Will I really get better? I won’t be eaten?

  — I wish you wouldn’t say that anymore — I muttered.

  I stopped just inside the ship and turned around. Some of them were beginning to approach.

  — Let this be clear — I said loudly, so they could all hear. — The Selium will no longer be enslaved. And they will never be food. Do not say that again. It hurts me. — I placed my hand over my chest.

  The Mirtis’s hangar was large enough to hold everyone. It was warm and smelled of food.

  — There’s a table with bowls and cups — Anastácia said as she arrived. — There’s soup, water, and even juices!

  — Look, Willian! — Tariel pointed excitedly. — They brought soft mats for everyone.

  — The Xerantos decided not to appear, for fear of frightening them — AX explained. — There’s a large shower, restrooms, and clothes through that door at the back. The clothes are all the same, varying only in color and size.

  I was astonished. Not only by the concern for their well-being, but by how quickly everything had been prepared.

  — AX, how many people fit in the shower? — I asked, knowing that Sekvens bathing areas are usually collective.

  — Thirty.

  — Settle yourselves on the floor — I instructed, pointing toward the back. — Form groups of thirty and head that way. Hot water and soft clothes are waiting for you. The youngest first.

  It only took the first group returning from the shower—laughing and speaking loudly—for the atmosphere to change. Relaxation and happiness replaced fear.

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  Anastácia and Tariel, assisted by their observers, were finishing the soup. They laughed like children.

  — Take a mat, choose a spot, and wait — I said. — The soup will be ready shortly.

  An hour later, when everyone was clean, another door at the back opened. A robot entered carrying hundreds of loaves of bread.

  I organized a line. Tariel took her soup and sat down, setting an example.

  Soon everyone was eating and talking, smiling. Nothing remained of the broken figures they had been hours earlier. My eyes filled with tears. Pride in belonging to the Known Universe surged within me.

  I felt Anastácia’s arms around me. Her gentle smile led me to her lips.

  — I can’t wait to simply lie down beside you and fall asleep.

  Some were still eating when robots brought blankets and pillows. Anastácia guided me to Tariel, who had joined three mats together for us to sleep there.

  Silence arrived slowly. I saw people smiling, others crying while hugging their pillows, and some surrendering completely to the unexpected comfort.

  I fell asleep exhausted, but happy, wrapped in the arms of my wives.

  I felt a tight grip on my arm but couldn’t wake immediately. When I did, Anastácia was comforting Tariel. I kissed her so she would sleep a little longer, but the open door of the Mirtis revealed that morning had already settled in some time ago.

  Tariel rose refreshed, full of energy. She greeted softly those who were already awake. She was watched with tenderness and admiration. I looked at her with pride… and jealousy.

  — Are you afraid she won’t give you attention? — Anastácia noticed.

  — I am — I admitted, pulling her into a tight embrace. — Sometimes I catch myself trying to understand how I can love you like this. Looking for a justification for a love so strong and so fast.

  — Melissa said you loved us even before you met us — she smiled. — Why don’t you ask them?

  — They’ll say love isn’t meant to be understood, but lived. For them, love solves everything, explains everything, creates everything.

  — I feel so happy… — she said, kissing me.

  — I think I’ve found the justification… — I embraced her and laid her back down. We made love, oblivious to what surrounded us.

  — You are becoming more like the Sekvens than I imagined — a voice commented.

  I stood up abruptly. Most of them were already awake. Those who weren’t watching Tariel were watching us.

  — This is their fault! — I said, embarrassed.

  — Fault? — AX replied. — We don’t understand that concept.

  — But you know what it is.

  — I will explain the Known Universe to them so they understand what is coming.

  — Please, go ahead.

  AX repeated the same lesson he had given Tariel and Anastácia: the planets, the ships, the species. When he finished, there was a stir as several Xerantos entered the hangar. Seeing them in images is nothing like seeing them in person.

  Zircon, Julis, and many others distributed fruits, breads, juices, and teas. It was important that the Selium grow accustomed to them, since they would take responsibility for building and maintaining the new village.

  — Willian, don’t do that again — Zircon complained. — We weren’t fully prepared yet.

  — I can’t believe you managed to organize everything in an hour. It’s incredible!

  — An hour? — he laughed. — We began preparing the Mirtis the day you said you would rescue them. I was talking only about the soup.

  — Well, I was impressed — I smiled.

  — Save the amazement for the village. Today, hundreds of houses of different models will be placed along the lake’s shore. The Selium themselves will choose and assemble them. Tomorrow the furniture and household items will arrive. They’ll be busy for a long time.

  — Fantastic. And subsistence?

  — There will be an underground farm, like those in Antéia. The village will be protected from animals and from anyone who does not live there.

  — You thought of everything.

  — It will be like your village on Earth. Since Donna is far from our bases, in time there will be a base here — of the Xerantos, Miliamedes, and Sekvens.

  — Has the Known Universe taken possession of the planet? — I joked.

  — You’re not wrong. Donna belongs to you.

  — Right… — I scratched my head. — But that scares me.

  Zircon smiled faintly. I knew he didn’t understand my fear. Truthfully, neither did I.

  — Human things — I smiled.

  Nissi approached and repeated Tariel’s gesture when greeting the Xerantos.

  — Thank you — she bowed, then turned to me. — May I hug you?

  — Of course.

  We embraced tightly. There was something more in that gesture. Tariel approached and clung to my arm.

  — I’ve already said he’s mine — she made a face at Nissi.

  Nissi ran off laughing. Tariel chased after her.

  — Be careful with the Selium — Zircon commented. — They’re predators… and they’re seeing you as a male. The only one here.

  A chill ran through me from head to toe. A strange fear struck me like lightning and became real in Zircon’s voice:

  — The Sekvens are on the Mirtis. They’ll be coming here shortly.