Page 77 of Stripped By the Alien

I release a low growl through my mandibles and resume walking. "There is evidence for that."

"Then I stand by my assessment."

Before I can explain the many ways in which survival and success are entirely different things, a servant comes scuttling toward us carrying a message tablet. It lowers itself immediately and presents the tablet with both forelimbs. This is proper protocol for when we are in port, where matters are considered less urgent. Out in space, the signals chief himself would have delivered the message.

I take the tablet and touch it to my antenna. The report contains exactly what I expected and somehow still manages to disappoint me. No progress. No confirmed location for the Gzet homeworld.

So the other scout, Sophia, remains somewhere beyond our reach. Nora's bluff before the Queen bought us time, but time becomes worthless if someone else finds that female before we do.

Nora studies my expression. "Bad news?"

"The same news. No trace.” I look down at the servant. "Summon the chiefs and command crew," I order. "All of them."

They gather quickly, direction specialists line one side of the chamber and the chiefs assemble on the other. Servants cling to walls and ceilings, attempting to attract as little attention as possible. Lucius hovers near the ceiling, buzzing softly. Nora takes up position beside me and folds her arms.

I hold up the report. "Explain."

A navigator lowers his antennae and head almost to the table. "We've searched every route she could've taken, Chief Harrower. We've followed transmission trails, trade routes, old records, and current traffic."

Another crewmember picks up the explanation. "Every lead ends the same way. The Gzet homeworld is hidden. Deliberately hidden."

I grind my mandibles together. "This has been known for many longcycles."

The navigator inclines his head. "Because it remains true."

For several moments nobody speaks. The chamber settles into an uncomfortable silence as every creature searches for something useful to add.

The flying machine called Lucius eventually makes a strange beep and everyone looks up. "I believe the problem is that you're asking the wrong question."

I feel the beginning of a headache. "Proceed."

Lucius descends slowly. "The crew are attempting to locate a planet, using fragments of information. These fragments may hold the secret. But there are so many of them that nobody can put them all in place."

One of the navigators makes a dismissive sound.

Lucius ignores him entirely. "The Gzet have concealed their world successfully for generations. They will not leave a single track that can be followed."

"There better be a point to this," I growl.

"There is."

Out of the corner of my eye I notice Nora tilting her head to the side, as if intrigued.

Lucius continues as though nothing unusual has happened. "Small pieces can make up a big picture. Someone always knows more than they think they know, when put alongside other information. Everything on this ship is alive. Living things are not good at putting pieces together unless there’s a clear pattern. Only machines can do that. Well, you have a machine now: Me."

I look at him with more interest. “And?”

"And so I request authority to conduct interviews."

"With whom?" I ask.

Lucius makes a small circle in the air. "Everyone."

The response is immediate. Crewmembers begin objecting over one another. Several servants flatten themselves against the walls as though trying to disappear. One navigator actually takes a step backward.

Lucius lowers itself in the middle of the table. "I wish to interview the crew, the servants, any captured aliens, any witnesses, and any records available aboard the Beast." His voice becomes almost eager. "And the Beast herself."

That finally silences the room.