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that crosses that age threshold, they go to either a breeding camp or into the Seceltor slavery system. He wanted to see you before he did, but it has been decided that it is best for him to stay here on Earth.”
    Robert drew his lips flat and looked at Jake. “You can stay here as long as you want.”
    Jake nodded and smiled as he wiped a tear off his cheek. “I’d like that.”
    Robert looked at Evaran. “So this Greecho guy. What happened to him?”
    Jake glanced at Evaran then at Robert. “He’s still around, and coming here in a few months. He wanted to take you back to make sure I didn’t run away or anything, but Evaran is going to deal with him.”
    “Take me back? To be a slave?”
    “Yeah.”
    Robert stood up and looked at Evaran. “I’d like a piece of that asshole. I’ll show him what happens when he messes with a Melkins.”
    Jake admired Robert’s courage, and the notion of standing up for the family and family name intrigued him. He wondered if he had it in himself.
    “I understand your rage,” said Evaran. He shook his head. “However, Greecho is a dangerous threat with advanced technology.”
    Robert snorted. “You think I’d be a liability.”
    Jake wagged a finger. “Greecho is a lot smarter than he lets on. I’ve had to deal him all my life. There’s a reason he’s been around as long as he has. Evaran should be more than a match for him, but I think we’d be in the way.”
    Robert tilted his head at Jake. “Maybe, but you’re a Melkins, just like me. We stand up for what we believe in.”
    “I am curious, why did you choose to live here?” asked Evaran.
    Robert sighed. “I didn’t on purpose. After the abduction, the police thought I was a murder suspect, can you believe that? My own son and wife. You can guess what that did to my career. I was fired on trumped-up charges, and no one would hire me. I went from a prestigious position at a bank to scrapping with others for a factory job. Been here ever since, and I can barely even afford the rent.”
    “I see,” said Evaran. “I am sorry to hear that. I need to take care of some things. I think you and Jake have a lot of catching up to do.”
    Robert looked at Jake. “I’m looking forward to it.”
    Evaran shook Robert’s hand and then put a hand on Jake’s shoulder. “Excellent. I will be back in three months to check up on you both.”
    “You going after Greecho now?” asked Jake.
    “No. I do not know where he is or what path he takes. I did a long-range scan, roughly ten light-years, and there are several thousand ships. It would take longer than three months to figure out which one is his. I also do not know if he stops off anywhere. I do know he will be here in a few months, though.”
    “Couldn’t you intercept him in this solar system?”
    “Perhaps, but there is an advanced group here on Earth. If Greecho has been coming here often, then they must know of it. The situation could escalate very quickly. In addition to that, the Torvatta has no weapons. There are not many options when it comes to intercepting a ship in space. I think it is best to let him come here, then I will assess the situation and go from there.”
    Jake nodded. “I wouldn’t underestimate him.” He thought it was odd that the Torvatta did not have weapons. Then again, Evaran did not seem to carry any lethal weapons. Given how dangerous being in space could be, and how advanced Evaran’s technology was, there must be another reason Jake was missing for using nonlethal options. If it were up to him, he would blow up Greecho’s ship first chance he got.
    “I have dealt with worse. I do not anticipate any issues.” Jake watched Evaran leave. Evaran was confident, maybe too much. Greecho was not to be taken lightly. Jake turned toward Robert, who rushed over and hugged him again. He did it. He found his dad and would hopefully build the relationship that was robbed from him by Greecho. What if Evaran failed and Greecho came looking for