Witz gasped. “The code that stopped the probe from destroying the home worlds?”
Bassan nodded and glanced up. The men stared at him. The shield around Witz’s mind evaporated and astonishment broadcast loud and clear. Hetz echoed a similar sentiment until his shields locked back into place. But in that one brief moment of exposure, their respect rang pure. Bassan gathered it close, letting the feeling boost his confidence.
“Damn!” Hetz said. “I’d heard it was a Kintal child, but that’s it.”
“I heard he was the son of a war hero,” added Witz.
“Yeah, well, I guess my father is—”
“Something about the war between Cassa and Vindi fifty-some years ago,” Witz said. “Something big.”
Ha! Something big all right.
“My father is the one who destroyed the Vindicarn disrupter ship that led to the
