Beka headed for her refuge, her home, her ship the Maru. How could this be true? But DNA didn't lie as Tyr would be the first to say. Tyr. Oh, how he must love this. He was always going on about inferiority and everything being in the genes. Well imagine how knowing that she sprung from this human who was more inferior then most was going to amuse him. She knew he'd have no trouble saying what he thought. If she thought things were bad before, they were much worse now.

She got to the Maru, locked it, changed the codes and collapsed in the cockpit. This was just too awful.

Tyr knew where she went. He wasn't surprised that she'd changed the codes. "Beka, let me in." He was ignored. He walked around to the front of the ship and peered in. He saw her slumped in the pilot's chair. He was alarmed. "Beka, if you don't let me in right now I will break in however I have to."

That got a response because she knew he'd do it. Fine. Let him get his kicks by insulting her ancestry. After all, it was worthy to be insulted. She let him in and he followed her back to the cockpit. "Come to gloat and laugh at me, Tyr?

Go ahead. Have your fun. Everybody else has."

"Beka, that's not what I'm here for."

"Oh, no. Why not? We're all kludges to you, aren't we? Our genes aren't as good. We aren't as good. I'm not as good. Especially now. Look at where I come from. What a kick in the head. So go on. Gloat. You know you want to."

Tyr was getting irritated at how she automatically assumed that that was what he wanted to do. Of course, she was upset. He was trying to make allowances for that. After all, he had insulted he ronce at their dinner, although he hadn't meant to. "For the last time, I am not here to gloat."

She looked up at him. "Then why are you here?"

"Because you are upset and I think I may be able to help."

"How? Can you change my ancestry?" She laughed bitterly.

"No, but perhaps I can make you feel better about it."

"Come again. Tyr, of everybody, you get why I'm so upset. Just look at that girl. She's just so...." Beka shuddered.

"Inferior."

"Way to go making me feel better, Tyr. We ought to get you a diplomat's job right away."

He couldn't resist a chuckle. "Hear me out please. And don't interrupt. I know how hard that will be for you." Beka sputtered but Tyr just went on. "Now this Melody Valentine from whom you come isn't exactly what you'd want for a Valentine ancestor. Correct."

"You got that right."

"She does not share the qualities that you pride yourself on your family members possessing. Correct." Beka nodded. "She possesses none of them." Beka agreed. "And yet you do. Now it seems to me that since your genes started out in this rather inferior place and yet they still managed to get to a place in which your family members did indeed possess those qualities of which you are so proud that it just shows the superiority of your DNA rather then the inferiority of which you are so afraid"

Beka was staring at him. "I-I never thought of it like that."

"Perhaps you should. There is also the fact that you are related to Harper as well."

"That's almost more mind blowing. I mean I always felt that he was my little brother."

"I know. Beka, the fact that the Valentines have one family member who is less than savvy just means that the DNA is better for creating the Valentines it did."

"Wow, Tyr! I can't believe you're saying this to me"

"I'm just speaking the truth. Of course, you're all still human."

Beka grinned. "Oh, yeah. I get that. Thanks, Tyr. For everything."