Ground rules

Khan watched Liiza carrying Tamara into the living quarters before disappearing into the areas after them. His arms were still spread, but he eventually brought one to his head, scratching it while heaving a helpless sigh.

'The universe better not give me girls,' Khan thought, his fingers finding the now-familiar braids among his hair. 'It should know it's for its own sake.'

Khan heaved another sigh, looking toward where Liiza had left with Tamara again.

'Who am I kidding?' Khan realized. 'I'm too far gone to have kids. It was evident from Garret's face.'

Khan pushed aside those thoughts, focusing on the matter at hand, which was far from trivial. He didn't regret exposing himself to save Tamara. That feeling never once crossed his mind, but the problem didn't get any smaller.