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“But the Pilot has chosen to stay in this area or has the Council imprisoned him there?” Daraja asked, her voice darkening.

“The Pilot is insisting on staying. The area is safe. He’s managed to create--or activate, not quite sure--bots that can destroy all Khul and any risk of infection,” Davies explained. “He wants people to realize that it’s safe.”

Miranda nodded her dark head. “He wants to show them he is not afraid and that the Khul attack has not blighted their city, or even their world.”

“Their fear of infection is not unwarranted,” Davies stated flatly. “The Khul are filled with those larva. Even when they die, they aren’t safe to be around. And, just so you know, the Thaf’ell are unlikely to believe us at our word that we’re not infected even with all of the cleaning protocols. You’re going to each be paired with a Thaf’ell of House Moturin.”

“I am to see to the Pilot’s health. This is private,” Daraja said, tightening her hand on the cooler.

“That’s problematic for sure.” Davies grimaced. “I think Amana Moturin might be the best shadow for you, Dr. Isa. She’s pretty in awe of the Pilot. I don’t think she’ll make any fuss if you want privacy to treat him.”

He typed something into his comm, likely to request that she be Daraja’s companion on Haseon.

Daraja nodded slowly. “This lack of trust is disturbing.”

Miranda tapped her chin with one long finger. “I’m surprised by how xenophobic the Thaf’ell are despite being part of an alliance of species.”

“They’re a piece of work, Dr. Kerr,” Davies said. “They’re not all bad, but they have a superiority complex that you could drive the Osiris through.”

“But the Pilot, yourself and other humans saved them! Without us, they would have all died!” Matias cried, looking affronted.

“When have facts ever affected what some people feel?” Davies smiled wryly.

“The Thaf’ell supposedly put logic above all else, but it appears their actual society is a contradiction of this,” Miranda said.

“They feel plenty all right,” Davies agreed. “We’ve got to make them realize that the Pilot is the only way to stop the fear they are feeling. He’s the solution to their problems. And woe anyone who gets in his way.”

“Surely, they have something to offer us,” Daraja countered.

“They likely do. Some of them aren’t half bad,” Davies admitted. “But I’m telling you right now to be prepared for the crazy. And it’s going to get a lot more complicated very soon.”

“How so?” Daraja asked.

“Those other species that the Pilot sent invites to? The ones he offered to meet up with and maybe join our crew?” Davies reminded them. “Well, it looks like everybody’s showing up now. Every species has a delegation. And they all want to speak to the Pilot right now.”

Many Hands Make Less Work

Jace heard voices around him. Khoth: cool, calm and collected yet solicitous. And another voice with a musical accent. Ah! Dr. Isa. He was glad that she was here. While being reconnected to the Osiris was helping hugely to restore his body, he was still far from the top of his game. The Osiris had promised him some relief. A little pick-me-up. Maybe Dr. Isa had brought it. And was that an oink? Jace cracked his eyelids open.

Khoth, Dr. Isa, Dr. Kerr, Matias and Chili were all in his bedroom. He smiled sleepily. He’d been dozing on and off all day. He wanted to stay awake and alert as he was with Khoth, but his body wouldn’t accommodate him.

Khoth, Dr. Kerr, Matias and Chili were near the door. Khoth was--adorably--holding Chili in his hands, petting her as she oinked in contentment. They were all ogling her new bow.

“It’s a meeting bow,” Matias enthused, whatever a “meeting bow” was.

“She seems to be taking to Haseon well?” Khoth made that sound like a question.

Jace knew that he wanted the pig to be taking to Haseon perfectly.

“Oh, yes! She was very excited on the ride down here,” Matias explained. “She had to look outside the whole way. And, of course, she is always excited to meet people.”

“Hence, the meeting bow?” Dr. Kerr asked, one eyebrow lifted.

“Exactly!” Matias beamed.

Dr. Isa was by the side of his bed, fussing with a white cooler, and checking his vitals on her comm. She swiped a cool alcohol pad against his skin. When she noticed he was awake, she smiled back at him.

“This will make you feel better, Pilot,” Dr. Isa assured him.