5
Second Earth… He blinked, not sure if his eyes were open, or still closed. There was little he could see. The faint light a few meters away seemed to change in its brightness. A fire? Shapes moved in and out of his field of vision. Humans, he hoped, rather than the intimidating Tamplians or the feared Vancurelians. Tentatively moving his fingers, then hands, he found he was not bound. Sitting up sent a stabbing pain to his head, which he instinctively tried to control by placing his hands on his forehead. Once the ache subsided, he pushed himself to his feet.
His vision cleared, and he immediately recognized he was not in the village. Glancing skyward, he saw up close the lights, towers, and various transpo that littered the city. Malhinda. Gage attempted, unsuccessfully, to tamp down
