“Whyever would the CSS care about this?” Dutch flapped a hand.
“Why would they care that their predecessors’ prized space station might crash into Verdaan in a few centuries? Hmm. I wonder.” Zen chuckled. “Not that it matters—Nasra is fascinated with nylarian culture. The minute I pitched visiting Vaesa, she took a sabbatical.”
Then Zenhadmentioned Nasra, back on Vaesa. Torian couldn’t believe her luck that he’d know a tou’siil well enough to call in a favor—but then again, tou’siil emissaries were rare, and Zen was part of the draic military and a member of the CSS. Perhaps all aliens visiting this solar system knew each other.
“I met Nasra,” Torian blurted, excited to be a part of the group—even just for a moment. (And, yeah, she was also excited that a tou’siil gave her the time of day.) “Outside the headmaster’s office.”
Zen lifted his chin in approval. “Oh?”
“He said she’s a student here.” Torian fumbled for something to say. “She—she wanted to get dinner. I totally forgot.” Her eyes flashed to the setting sun, which cast deep shadows over the land. The sky was a stunning orange-purple, although there weren’t clouds to shift color today. It was definitely too late for food, and guilt churned in Torian’s chest.
Zen waved a clawed hand, unconcerned by that. “She’s—”
“Coming!” a bright voice gasped. The shadows had hidden a figure crossing the docks, but there was no mistaking her form now. Lamps powered by solar energy were secured to evenly spaced wooden posts, and they flicked on as she jogged toward them, casting her in soft yellow light. Nasra skidded to a halt at theDestitute, drawing deep breaths. “By the Book, why does anyone run when they can swim? Awful.”
She dropped a bag at her feet. Abigbag. Torian squinted at it.
“My darling, you have gills—which is a very rare attribute for a spacefaring species,” Dutch said amicably.
Nasra glanced at him and gasped, her galaxy eyes sparkling with infinite lights. It was almost dizzying in the darkness. With little prelude, she latched on to Dutch’s arm, swiveling toward Zen. “Ah, Zenthielutos! Your partner actuallyisa nylarian!”
“Did you doubt me?” Zen rumbled.
Nasra laughed. “I would never doubt you… much.”
Dutch absorbed her affection with ease, offering a dazzling smile. He seemed to preen under the attention. “I’m evidence, my dear. The very last nylarian!”
It was the same line he’d given Torian on Vaesa. He must get that statement a lot, outside of the human solar system. Torian ducked her head to hide her laughter.
Nasra, meanwhile, had paused, tilting her head. “Oh, we know of you—that’s why I was skeptical that Zen would actually date the infamous Sequelta vel Dutch-Ath. You’re quite the rebel. The CSS still has an active warrant for you after that intergalactic delinquency.”
“Which one?” Dutch asked good-naturedly.
“Yarlo. False godhood. Which one areyouremembering?” She extracted herself from his arm, obviously eager for the knowledge.
Zen held up a hand. “Don’t get him started. Long life, and he’s lived it. The point is, my transmission was genuine. And in that vein, say hello to Captain Torian Razner. She’ll be joining us on this venture.” He gestured at Torian. “Torian, were you officially introduced to Nasra Sal’zirettex, or did she simply ambush you for information?”
“I introduced myself!” Nasra stopped talking abruptly, her eyes sparkling again. She let out a nervous laugh. “Oh. Apparently, it was a poor introduction. They’ve added it to the Book. Mildly embarrassing.”
Torian couldn’t contain her laugh this time.
Nasra, meanwhile, dipped into an ornate bow, where her tail twisted in front of her, her fins spread along her legs, and herhands fluttered. “Captain Razner, a pleasure! I am Nasra Sal’zirettex, the tou’siil emissary of this solar system. Currently, my focus of study is human sociology and psychology, although I dabble in nylarian history.”
“Thank the kerracs, because I don’t remember any of it,” Dutch said in relief.
Zen kept a steady presence by Torian’s side, which was oddly comforting. Despite his intimidating appearance, the draic exuded calm kindness, almost as if he knew she’d need a handhold as her entire world upturned. “You’re aware of the tou’siil and their hive mind, correct? Whenever her eyes shine, you can assume thousands of tou’siil are watching from their home planet. You can always ask her to disconnect if that makes you uncomfortable.”
A draic, concerned for ahuman’scomfort. She’d misjudged him in a big way yesterday. She forced a chuckle, waving his suggestion off. “It’s fine! I don’t mind.” Last thing she wanted was for an entire planet of tou’siil to think humans were prudes.
Although they might have already gathered as much.
Nasra’s eyes were sparkling again, and she bounced on her webbed feet. “Everyone watching planet-side sends their thanks—we’re so bored at home.”
“Bored?” Torian couldn’t fathom how any hive mind could be boring.
The tou’siil huffed. “Well, yes. There’s not much to do there. We solved every planetary problem, and explored everywhere we could. That’s why they send out tou’siil emissaries like me to report on other species and cultures. We gather education, and it’s recorded in the Book.”
“I’m so sorry if this is a ridiculous question but… is it a physical book?”
