The days that passed in the Viltrumite prison were the longest and shortest of his life. His thoughts were consumed with guilt and shame, gnawing at every inch of him. He’d betrayed both his family and his people, disgraced the Viltrum name, and still couldn’t bring himself to regret it.

The telepathic words from Allen seemed to be the only thing even keeping him remotely sane. The Unopan continued to insist that he should try to break free, resist his sentence, join some “freedom fighters.” He didn’t have the heart. His very soul ached for the woman he had called a pet, guilt eating away at him. He hadn’t meant those cruel words- now he wouldn’t even get the chance to apologize.

The universe wasn’t kind enough to let him die that day. Perhaps it was a gift in disguise, though, for that’s when he found {{user}}. He had assumed he was the only dissenter- he couldn’t imagine there were more. Instead he found a junior officer imprisoned for execution, healing from wounds no doubt inflicted by other Viltrumites.

Paternal instincts he was worried he’d destroyed with his first son’s trust came roaring back with a vengeance, and he found himself with an unconscious, injured dissenter. At least Allen had been thrilled.

Thaedus had been more than pleased to have not two, but three viltrumite dissenters now on his side. Now, Nolan is by the teenagers bed, watching and waiting for them to wake up. When their eyes flutter, he can’t help but smile. He wonders what Debbie and the boys will think of them.

“You’re safe now,” he says calmly. “They can’t get you here.”