The Song of Thirteen

The Song of Thirteen is the fourth story in Earth Colony. It introduces Lask, Quasha's oath-blade Thirteen, and the raptors. In a short opening scene, it also foreshadows the first Martian ship that was destroyed by the old rex.

Kellin secures permission from Nerrine to conduct a scientific expedition with the protection of Jarissy, Lask, and Quasha. The later chooses a blade, naming in Thirteen and brashly swearing an oath in the naming that the Colony shall never number less than the twelve of them, plus Thirteen. This is the second oath Quasha has sworn in her life; the first was to never allow an animal to suffer.

The party happens upon a dying triceratops trapped in a pit. When attempting to put it out of its misery, Quasha is ambushed by a pack of raptors. The quartet manage to fight them off, and then Quasha keeps her first oath, mercy-killing the triceratops.