****

  "I will return, Kirel."

  "From the photosphere of a star? And if you do succeed, why would you come back? You could be free."

  "And leave my children?"

  "Are they yours? They're not like you. They're merely children of my race. You've never even seen them. They're just a few among many. A failed breeding. You couldn't find them if you searched."

  "Then I will claim all children as mine."

  "You'll claim nothing. You're a nameless slave. Haven't the ten years you've been one taught you anything?"

  "Yes. They've taught me patience."