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He looked confused for a moment. "Oh, that's a reference to Earth science fiction movies, right?"
"Right," I said. "I've seen, like, every one ever made. Even the bad ones."
Danec frowned. "Why would anyone make a bad movie?"
I snorted. "That's a very good question. I don't know why. I guess they didn't realise it was bad at the time."
"Oh, I see. I suppose it's a matter of opinion as well."
"That too." I followed him to the ship's elevator bank.
He pressed the 'up' button and we waited. After a minute or two, one of the doors slid open silently and we stepped inside.
"It's on level five." He pressed the second button from the top.
I knew there was a level above that as well, which was only accessible from a secure part of level six. What was up there, I could only guess. I considered asking Danec, but I doubted anyone would tell a lowly ensign, any more than they'd tell a lowly nurse. I wondered if Slek knew. As an engineer, he should have intimate knowledge of every part of the ship. I made a mental note to ask him the next time I saw him.
The elevator door slid open to a corridor. On one side were several closed doors. On the other, was a single open one. From that doorway came the sounds of laughter and something that might be a computer game.
I stepped into the doorway to see a room full of long couches, tables and chairs and a wide screen on the opposite wall.
In front of that stood several people, a human or two, a woman from Frey-T, two from Agus and a yellow skinned Centauri man. They all had controllers in their hands and were moving avatars inside some kind of game. As far as I could work out, they were exploring a damaged spaceship and shooting androids whenever one appeared.
Space Invaders,present day version. It was certainly more advanced than anything I had played. The ship on the screen looked real enough to put my hand in and touch it.
"There's a library room in the back," Danec said. "It's quieter there than in here. The computer bank holds copies of almost every book ever published."
"I hope the authors get royalties," I remarked.
"Of course. The IF believes in fostering the arts," Danec said.
I nodded and scanned the room. "Is that a chess set?"
"Yes, do you play?"
"No, I've just never seen one that wasn't on a screen." I walked over and picked up a pawn. It was carved from wood, with a base covered in a circle of black felt. Such craftsmanship hadn't been seen on Earth for a couple of generations. I certainly hadn't expected to see it here.
"Chess is a game of subtlety. It takes an intelligent mind to grasp it properly."
I knew that voice before I turned around to see the disapproving look on J'avet's face. He stood with another Parvoran who had the same disdain on his features.
"Is that so?" I tossed the pawn into the air and caught it on my palm. "Seems like just a game to me."
J'avet looked as if he wanted to snatch the piece out of my hand. "I wouldn't expect you to understand."
"Interesting." I tossed the piece again. "Because you know nothing about me."
This time he grabbed the pawn out of the air and put it back in place on the board. "I know your kind. Flighty, thoughtless, disrespectful."
"Sir—" Danec started.
He was silenced with a look from J'avet.
"You would do better to stay away from her, ensign," J'avet said coldly.
"Sir, I—"
"We're friends." I managed a good bit of frost in my tone as well. "Do you actually have the authority to make those kinds of decisions for him?"
