The silence said more than any of the Nexus ever could.
'I see,' said the lead Elder. 'Did you bring the murderer with you?'
'Please understand,' Face held his hands up in a calming gesture, Zatt had shot another member of our team. It was a very heated moment.'
'So it was a firefight?'
Face hesitated. 'Well, no.'
'So she was killed in cold blood? I ought to kill you all where you stand.'
Vix stepped forward. He said nothing, just crossed his arms and cocked his head, as if to say 'just try it'. Face grabbed his arm and gently pulled him back.
Luna caught Cora's eye, made a subtle hand waving gesture. Cora shook her head. Luna looked at Mara for help, then realised by her look of indifference that she'd be no help there. Luna took a deep breath and stepped forward.
'Honoured Elder,' she began, then frowned, trying to find the words. 'Our team is made up of people from many worlds, from many walks of life. One of our Nexus - our teammates - is a princess, a leader of a world. The person Zatt shot was not just a fellow teammate, but a subject of her world,' sweat broke out on Luna's forehead, feeling herself overwhelmed by the situation, but she pressed on. 'As Elders, I'm sure you understand the obligation that a leader has in protecting and avenging those beneath them. She was acting both as a leader and a friend, hurt that someone she loved had been attacked. She was upset, but once she learned of Zatt's reasoning she was immediately remorseful. We all swore to make this right, including the princess,' Luna stopped, having run out of words. 'Can you honestly say you wouldn't do the same?
The Elders looked at her for a long moment, then turned to each other, conferring quietly. Luna risked a quick glance at Cora, who had her eyes shut, her brow furrowed in deep concentration.
'As an Elder,' said the Elder woman, and Luna brought her attention back to her, 'we have learned the value in holding off on action until we have learned all salient facts. What your friend did was rash, foolish and - shameful. But we can understand her reasoning, and yours.'
'So you'll help us?' Face asked hopefully.
'No,' she replied harshly. 'I said that we can understand, not that we condone it, nor forgive. Your friend's actions have harmed our clan irreperably. That cannot be undone.'
With those words, it seemed that all of the Nexus deflated in defeat. Cora was the first to rally. 'How can we make this right?' she looked at Luna, then spoke again to the Elders. 'It's not enough to apologise, I understand that. But that's only half an apology anyway: the second half is to make amends, to try to heal. I know we can't undo our actions, or bring our friend back. But perhaps trying to bring her parents back could help?'
The Elder leader seemed to think this over, then said, 'that would be acceptable. We will not immpediately expell you, and grant you permission to carry out your penance. But we will not aid you in any way, shape or form,' the Elders turned to leave, just as abruptly as Atabei had, leaving the Nexus in surprised silence.
'Well, at least we're not dead. That's good!' Face said cheerfully.
'Didn't Atabei say this is the only building in the city that's fit for outsiders? Meaning we can't leave without him.'
'That's not so good,' Face admitted. He looked around him. 'Well, I doubt we're the only people here. Let's have a look around, trying to find someone that's willing to help. Everyone split up.'
Face led the way out of the room. Outside was a long, straight passage that led, Luna presumed, to the central hub. They followed the passage and found branching pathways, at which point the Nexus went their seperate ways, with Luna and Cora deciding to stay together. 'Are you sure your mom doesn't want to come with us?' Luna asked, turning back to look at the woman, who was standing alone. She seemed a little lost. Luna felt sorry for her.
