"He… He what?" Stuart couldn't quite believe his ears.
He had heard Aja call him that, back when they were trying to get back the Mothership, but there was no way that Varvatos was the traitor. Not after everything he had done to protect Aja and Krel. Not after sacrificing himself… Not after becoming Stu's friend.
Aja looked away.
"I'm sorry, but it's true. He admitted to it himself. Varvatos was the one who let down the shield during the corination. He made a deal with Morando."
"But…"
One look into Aja's eyes… One look at the way Krel's brows furrowed as he curled in on himself… And he knew it was true. Stuart slowly sank down the wall he was leaning against.
"But why?" He whispered, pressing a hand against his forehead.
His core panged painfully in his chest. Was this how Buster had felt? Back when he thought Stu had abandoned him.
"He said it was for revenge," Krel said, finally speaking up. "Morando had promised to help him get revenge on the Ziron Brotherhood."
And he had gotten that, hadn't he?
"That was his 'legitimate' reason?" Stu said with an incredulous laugh.
He pressed his hands to eyes and clenched his teeth, trying not to cry. Despite his best efforts he could feel his shoulders start to shake. Krel and Aja's concerned voices fell on deaf ears.
For a moment, just one micron, he felt like he was back in his cell in Area 49-B.
How had he been so blind?