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“He indicated for you to stay so that he might recover himself,” his father pointed out. “Give him this moment then you may go to him.”

But his father did not understand humans--no, not humans--he didn’t understand Jace. Jace would gnaw off a limb before he put his burdens on others. No matter how heavy.

“The Pilot appears unwell. He did so earlier, too. I will make sure there is someplace cool and dark he can rest in. My private physician will see to him,” Typhon said smoothly and began tapping orders into the comm on his wrist.

“If anyone is examining our Pilot, it will be the ship’s doctor, Dr. Isa,” Davies snapped, coming out of the evident shock he’d been in after the revelation of Jace’s true nature.

Khoth’s gaze slid to Lieutenant-Commander Davies. The man had already expressed awe at Jace--an unsettling interest, in Khoth’s view--but he must have thought Jace was human then. Had this changed his mind about Jace? Would he view Jace with suspicion now that he knew Jace wasn’t human? Davies was representing humanity’s interests, he was a spy for General Intoshkin, so what was he thinking?

Davies had half-risen from his seat. One of his hands was balled against the window. His eyes flickered over Jace’s back. His expression was not one of awe, disgust or fear. But concern. Davies was worried about Jace. Not being human didn’t appear to matter to him. Khoth found his dislike of the man reducing somewhat.

“What would a human doctor know about Altaeth physiology?” Typhon remarked coolly. “Especially one that has just learned that other species exist off world? I’m sorry, but no matter how skilled she may be, this is beyond her. ”

Of course, Dr. Isa would be instructed by the Osiris in how to assist Jace. But, more likely, Jace would be required to go back into the pool to be healed. Yet Khoth did not think that there was anything physically wrong with Jace. It was a mental and emotional shock. Too many of them.

“What would the Thaf’ell know of Altaeth physiology?” Dr. Hayter asked, his stare sharpening behind his glasses. Suddenly, he no longer sounded like an absent-minded professor, but a tightly wound being about to leap. “The Pilot… the Pilot appears to be the last Altaeth there is and you’ve found no others. No bodies even, correct, Commander Khoth?”

“That is correct,” Khoth answered.

Jace was still Jace. Khoth had known he was remarkable and worth following before this revelation. Jace had not changed for him.

“So, your physician will know nothing of Altaeth biology either,” Dr. Hayter stated firmly.

“A physician with a familiarity of all the Seeded Species’ biology will have far more of a better starting point than one without,” Typhon answered, his voice still calm, but a little clipped. Typhon didn’t like to be second-guessed. He never had been and no one, other than these humans, would dare do so. “Besides, Dr. Faelar Xyrynore is discrete. Bringing your physician down will hardly go unnoticed. This is what is best.”

Typhon continued to tap on his wrist comm. Khoth slapped that hand down. Typhon, startled, looked up at him. His father had drawn in a deep breath. Khoth drew himself up to his full height. The Rule of Duuskukeh had nearly led him astray not too long ago. Maybe there were more Thaf’ell practices he should ditch.

“You will explain yourself, Justiciar Moturin,” Khoth demanded in a low, cold voice.

“Khoth!” His father sounded alarmed.

But Khoth held up a hand to silence his father. His father let out a choked sound, but went silent. Khoth had never disobeyed his parents--until Nova--or the status quo of society. But Jace was all that mattered to him and the crew of the Osiris after that. If he lost this proposed “family” with the Moturins, so be it. He would not allow anyone to interfere with this.

Typhon slowly lowered his hands to his lap and asked evenly, “What can I answer for you, Khoth?”

“It is Commander Voor,” Khoth corrected.

Typhon’s eyebrows lifted, but he nodded.

“How did you know that Jace was an Altaeth?” Khoth asked.

“I told you. It was the only logical explanation for him being the Pilot--”

“No.” Khoth stared at him.

Typhon let out an uncertain laugh. “Khoth--Commander, I do not see why you disbelieve--”

“You spoke English perfectly,” Khoth stated. “The human language takes considerable time to learn. Dr. Hayter, could you learn a language in the time from Jace’s transition to now?”

“No, I could not. Justiciar Moturin would have had to have been studying it for some time before Jace became the Pilot.” Dr. Hayter pushed his glasses up his nose. “Even assuming the Justiciar has greater intelligence, it just simply wouldn’t be possible. Human languages are very different from most of the Seeded Species’ tongues. And English is… well, it has so many delightful quirks that being fluent in it would be exceedingly difficult. I would say he has been studying for months, if not years of Earth time.”

“So I have an interest in human languages. What does that prove?” Typhon shrugged, but there was a small smile on his lips as if he wanted Khoth to figure out his lie.

“The likelihood of such an interest is slim. But, even if you were not lying, why was there nothing on the net regarding your contact with my father?” Khoth demanded.

His father stirred behind him. Khoth’s gaze slid to him. Thadden was frowning.

“You came to me in person, Typhon, and required that we speak offline and away from any comms, cameras, everything,” his father said.