Avery took a sip of water, giving herself a moment to breathe. Then she laughed softly as if recalling something with fondness. "My mentor is incredible. A higher-dimensional being with technology and knowledge far beyond anything we could understand. But it didn't want to rule the world or the universe."
She smiled, her voice laced with warmth. "It even refused to interfere with human civilization, choosing instead to observe quietly for thousands of years. Its only dream was to find its scattered companions, the ancient codes, and the core of the spaceship, so it could finally return home."
