| Reborn

Hal cleared his throat. 'I am Hal Dane.' His voice boomed around the gallery. 'I glory in the return of the Master and lay down my life in his service. I am not afraid to die.'

Ava strained against the gag that stopped her from screaming.

'You have heard how Zubbe will unite our race, how he will lead us on a path to greatness.' Hal cast a sideways glance at Maski. 'All I ask of you is that when you follow that path, you do so with caution, compassion, and respect.'

'We thank you, Dane,' Maski proclaimed through gritted teeth.

Hal looked down into the crowd. 'To my wife, I say farewell…'

Marcy's voice carried cold and clear from the hushed audience. 'Goodbye, Hal.'

'And farewell too to my daughter. May her life be better from this day on.' He glanced at Ava and gave her a small, encouraging smile.

Ava's vision of him blurred as her eyes filled with tears, but she could hear Maski all too clearly as he addressed his audience once more.