The other drones seemed frozen for but a split second before looking around to each other. While they had been granted their freedom, still there remained some hesitation and question about what to do now. Aten waited a moment before one of the drones took a step forward-- He was the oldest member I recalled from my time here, much older than I, and carried a walking stick wherever he went to help with a bad ankle. Over the years, especially the later years, his condition had worsened to the point of being barely able to climb or run without protest.

<"Not that we are not grateful, but what are we supposed to do?"> he asked. <"Some of us have been here so long, are in such poor shape, it is not likely we could survive out here on our own as we are.">

Not long after, another stepped forward-- some years older than me, quite scruffy. I did not recall much of them from before my departure.

<"We are...stuck in a situation with no useful options,"> he said. <"Surely you have seen the condition of this area?">

And another.

<"There is no food or water around here, nor places to live that are not literally falling apart. If we stay here, we slowly starve to death. If we all go our own ways, it is likely at least the worst-off will not make it.">

And one more.

<"...And if we all leave together, we might end up moving so slowly that we would never see the end of the badlands.">

Everyone had some kind of concern, and rightfully so: a lot had happened in such a short time and they had not really much say in the matter. While freedom was something they longed for, back from the whispered conversations I remember, they had handwaved the possibility of it to such an extent they had not considered the consequences which could follow. Not to say I could blame them; the idea of a storybook ending for such a bleak existence was a pipedream, and there comes a point where pervasive optimism is...simply insulting. Many times others snapped at other, usually newer members for being blinded by their fantasies and not seeing the harsh reality for what it is, those newer members perpetuating that same conviction as their spirit slowly crumbled the following months. The easiest people to control are those without reason to believe anything could be better, and that is exactly what Kyrbri preyed upon.

The atmosphere of gentle relief quickly turned to one of tension, with hushed squabbling between drones and the occasional glance back up to Aten. Aten still just stood there, arms crossed and looking down toward them, seemingly waiting for some kind of response or verdict. She had listened to all of their concerns, but she was giving them something they did not have until now: the ability to choose their own futures.

...Something taken so much for granted by those who always had it. In a way it feels more like a burden than a blessing for those who are only just receiving it.

The commotion carried on for a short while, but the longer it did the more Aten received quick wide-eyed looks. Maybe they figured she was just going to leave, yet that did not happen. I heard some remarks about my condition as well, how healthy I appeared and how some of them still remembered me, how I was likely the reason for Aten's arrival and change of regime...how I had not just left and forgot about them after all.

The whispering between them slowly turned again to silence and stares back up to Aten, who had been waiting on them this whole time. The situation just sort of hung in the air between both parties until Aten finally spoke.

<"I had no plan of leaving on my own.">

The drones collectively cocked their heads.

<"My intention was not to come here, destroy your way of life, then leave you to suffer in a skeleton of a home. You are free to choose your own futures, whatever those futures may be, and you may do so with whomever-- myself included.">

<"Are you...offering us a place in your colony?"> came the oldest.

Aten responded with only a nod.

<"How...How do we know if we can trust you?"> came another.

The others sulked back a bit, sharing the same concern.

<"That is something you will have to decide for yourself,"> Aten said bluntly. <"I cannot force you to think or feel any specific way, but I can certainly put forward the invitation.">

For some reason their attention turned to me.

<"Hey, you,"> one pointed up at me. <"I have seen you before. You lived here until just a few months ago, right?">

<"You were the escapee!?"> another chimed in as my ears raked back.

<"Did you join her colony?"> someone else asked.

I stepped out from behind Aten to confront them, <"Yes...Yes I did.">

A cacophony of questions proceeded, all asking the same general concerns of 'Is there food?', 'Is there space?', and so on.

<"Yes, there are all the basic necessities,"> I answered. <"Food is plentiful, as is water and space. People work together, they help each other. Everything is...just nothing like how it is here.">

Maybe they could quite literally see that I was not lying, nor had I a reason to try. I was not as scrawny as I used to be, I was not as jumpy as I once was. They were piecing together the reason behind my return and I think they were coming to the same conclusion.

<"Let me just reason with all of you for a moment,"> I began. <"Yes, I was the one who fled a few months ago. With the conditions here, it was only a matter of time before someone fled, and was actually successful in their attempt. I was left with the mark of a traitor for leaving, a measure taken to try to ensure I would regret leaving, to ensure nobody else would trust to take me into their colonies. I was set up to fail, solely out of spite, for my audacity.">

I took a deep breath.

<"After wandering for weeks entirely alone, making my way south through the hills for some kind of cover, I was at probably my lowest point and trying to just stay alive. Even just the change in scenery was something I could only imagine before, but seeing it for myself was enough to push me to keep going. Maybe some of you still remember what life was like outside of here, where the terrain is not so barren and unforgiving. Even then, I resigned myself to a fate of solitude, given how I would likely succumb to the elements before my stinger mended itself and I would be able to join other groups. After all, that was the fate intended for me to live out for defecting from this...place.">

I had their undivided attention.

<"Late one night I was making some attempt to feed myself when Aten approached me, which made me jump pretty bad and I lost my food in the fire I had set. I was not entirely sure what to expect, but I was afraid. Oh, I was very afraid. I hid my stinger out of sight as quickly as I could, but not fast enough to escape notice. But you know?">

I sighed.

<"Instead of just leaving me there, or even interrogating me about why I was there in the first place, she cleaned and wrapped up my stinger and invited me to find a place in her colony, since it was nearby. I took her offer and was treated with food, water, even my own clothing and bed...most importantly, I was treated with kindness, both from the others in the colony and from Aten herself. The whole time I was just trying to integrate into this new place she was always there to watch over and help when I needed it. I was offered a chance at something so much better: a chance at care and purpose, at a normal life.">

Silence.

<"...I really do think that had I not taken her offer, not allowed myself to trust her, I would not be here today. We both ventured here to try to do the same for you.">

They all looked up to me. Even Aten had turned her head to look to me, looking a bit surprised.

A breeze drifted by, and with it came the oldest one's step forward.

Then another's step forward. And another's. Soon everyone had come up to meet us evenly.

<"Do you accept my invitation?"> Aten questioned.

A collective nod.

---

We backtracked our way through the same trail. Those who needed help to traverse the path were helped, sometimes even carried, to get to where we all needed to go. Once past the hilliest areas, Aten decided on a detour to continue west instead of immediately going south. It did not quite occur to me why at the time, but it did once we reached the coast.

It had been so long since any of them had seen the ocean, some probably never had. The sight of the moon upon the endless sea seemed to melt away what remaining hesitation the others might have still kept. For the first time in months, they smiled. Some even climbed down some of the more shallow coast edge to get closer. It was a sight even I never thought I would get to see until not long ago, and now they could all feel exactly what I felt back then.

As I looked out toward the sea and the starry sky above, I felt Aten's arm reach around my shoulders and rest.

<"You did well, Sagis.">

<"Me? I did not do anything.">

<"You gave them, all of them, a reason to try," she assured me. <"Had you not accompanied me I may not have been able to convince them to take my invitation. You did much more than you realize, and I thank you for it. I am sure they do, too.">

<"...Do you think they will be alright? Like, with integrating?">

<"I think so, yes. You integrated very well with some help and time, I see no reason to doubt their efforts. Even your eyes have cleared up.">

I grabbed my tail and fidgeted with the cloth around the stinger, thinking back to a few months ago.

<"Do you?"> she asked.

<"...I think so,"> I responded, untying the cloth and revealing a healed stinger.

Some indications of the damage were visible, albeit just barely, but had been reinforced as indicated by a slight ridge around the break line. I ran my finger down the length of the stinger and again over the break ridge, pausing to absorb the moment.

<"Since we have set off to return home, I have been meaning to ask you something,"> she sighed.

<"Yes?">

<"You said that in Kyrbri's colony, you were all just numbers. Pardon my curiosity, but do you remember everyone's numbers? It will make assignments and naming easier when we get home.">

<"Everyone here? Yes, I think I remember them. I can write them down for you when we all get home.">

<"...What number were you, if you recall?">

<"...I was One.">

---

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