combat and strategy. Ardal is the greatest of leaders because he chose to let us fight rather than die. That is how we came to be on earth.” “If you have a spaceship, why did you stay on earth?” Wil frowned. “We crashed on your planet.” Niail’s voice was heavy with sadness. “Many of our unit did not survive. We have no way back, so we have made earth our home now.” Wil yawned. “Do you have a job? “We help people who seek justice.” Niail stood. “That is enough for one night.” “Will you tell us another story?” Peta gathered the blanket around her shoulders and jumped off the bed. Niail looked at Kimi with a raised eyebrow. “We will have to wait and see,” Kimi answered. “Now it’s time for bed.” She shuffled Peta to her bedroom. Niail waited for her in the kitchen while she saw that both the children were tucked into bed. He was frowning and she sat in the chair beside him. “Do you miss Cygnus?” “No.” Niail shook his head. “Perhaps it was our destiny to find your planet. We have found that there are great injustices here and that many people require our services.” Kimi wasn’t sure she wanted to hear about the type of work that Niail did, but she had to ask. “When you said that you righted wrongs, how do you go about doing that?” “People contact us for help.” Niail cleared his throat. “When honor has been forgotten and the truth distorted, there is often only one solution.” “Death?” Kimi’s voice was a whisper. “How can violence be the answer?” “Evil does not allow any other choice.” Niail lowered his voice. “We cannot allow the Sacred Codes to be broken. When women and children are threatened and hurt, it is my duty to defend.” “How can you be sure your codes are right?” “Some laws are universal.” Kimi bit her lip. She knew that her grandfather considered the symbols and messages of the Star People to be universal. She couldn’t deny Niail’s logic. The Blackfeet believed that no one was born evil, and that truth and honesty were the basis of an honorable life. “What if a person repents?” “You want us to give them a second chance?” Niail’s voice held doubt. “It has not been my experience that people change.” “There is always hope.” “That is not realistic.” Niail shook his head. “If there is true grief for one’s actions, then we will allow them the time to restore their honor.” “So your code allows for forgiveness?” “When it is warranted.” Niail sighed. “Lack of knowledge and understanding are usually the only reasons to grant this.” Kimi smiled. “At least there is the possibility.” “This gives you peace.” She nodded. “I would hate to think you were incapable of mercy.” “I have seen too much violence, not to feel compassion.” Niail reached out and put his hand over hers. “A Hunter does not have time to reflect on his actions. We are forced to act and then move to our next mission.” “That must have changed since landing on Earth.” “No.” Niail squeezed her hand. “We are in constant demand.” Kimi’s stomach churned at the sadness in Niail’s voice. She knew there were problems in the world. She didn’t have to look further than her neighbors to know that people fought and hurt each other every day. To think that the services of a group of alien warriors were necessary was overwhelming. “Are we that horrible?” Niail shook his head. “No. I find humans to be one of the most understanding and loyal of all races.” “Then why is it necessary for you to continue killing?” “There will always be those who are greedy and uncaring of how they fulfill their wishes.” Kimi sighed. Niail was right. There was very little an ordinary person could do about corruption or greed. Most people were just trying to survive. Human nature and limited resources almost guaranteed that some would climb over others to get what they