Things happened quickly after Danny woke up. A few hours after Vlad left, Halphas began to file into his room. With every familiar face that entered, Danny felt the knot of worry in his stomach loosening. 

They explained that the Grangen's strange weapon had been meant to capture, not kill them. Apparently Vlad figured out how to release them after Danny had been taken care of. He saw a common look of guilt and shame in the eyes of every Halpha that came to visit him. Many of them couldn't look at his scarred arms and bandaged chest.

Every single visitor apologized for suspecting him. Jax'i's hands and voice shook when he came to visit. 

"I can't believe I fell for it," he muttered tightly. "I didn't think twice about it when Vlad said you were... I'm sorry.  I'm such an idiot."

Danny gave him a strained smile, regretting his earlier choice to sit up. 

"It wasn't your fault. Vlad's pretty good at telling stories."

Jax'i let out a brief, hysterical laugh. 

"Yeah... I guess he is."

"So what's the plan now?" Danny asked. "The Grangen knew where we were, so Space Corps probably does too. We're not staying here, are we?"

Jax'i shook his head, looking relieved that the topic had changed. 

"We're packing up our things in the shuttle now. Vlad's got a ship off the records that we're moving to. It has a minimal crew and Vlad says we can trust them. Not that we have much choice," he added bitterly. 

"And is he's not coming with us, is he?" Danny asked. 

"No," Jax'i said firmly. "He's going to hide out in one of Jupiter's colonies, far, far away from us. He's getting ready to leave now too."

Danny felt a mix of emotions at this news. His satisfaction at the separation was tainted slightly by the remorse he had seen in Vlad and the torturous withdrawals he'd be putting himself through. 

But it was for the best. Vlad wasn't safe for them to be around and now everyone knew it. 

"When are we going?"

"As soon as we finish loading." 

Jax'i checked the time and got to his feet. 

"Just rest for as long as you can. We'll come get you soon."

Danny gave a tired sigh and settled back into his bed as Jax'i left. He felt drained in every way. He had been hurt and strung out and stressed for so long that he hardly remembered what it felt like to relax. 

But things would get better. He believed that now. Even though it took a painful, long journey, he was back with the Halphas. They knew the truth about Vlad and they were going to stick together. They were headed to a safe ship, untraceable by Space Corps and far away from Vlad. 

He still had to save his family. He still had a long road of physical and emotional recovery ahead. 

But in this moment, he could rest. He felt his eyelids slide shut before the thought was fully finished.