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She nods contemplatively. “How does it work?”

“The mind speaking? Or the mind walking I did with you?”

“Both. Can you do it with anyone? Just read their minds?”

“I can, but I, as you know, find it invasive. Especially the mind walking. Your thoughts are your own unless you decide to share them. Forcing my way inside always feels wrong. But to do so, I just have to close my eyes and place my hand on one’s head.”

“That’s so interesting. Can all of you do it?”

“Not anymore. It’s believed that skill set is from long ago, when we were still an aquatic species and has mostly given way to the force of evolution. My bloodline remains one of the strongest, and as the heir to the Asterean House I’m gifted with abilities.”

“But Altis can?”

“He can communicate with me, as can Hyva and Vynia. They gave me permission to build a sort of channel within their subconscious.”

“That’s really interesting.” A frown settles on her face as she looks past me and through the window.

I find myself wanting to know her thoughts. Yearning for them. “What are you thinking?”

She glances at me. “Is it tempting to just peek for yourself?”

“No.”Yes.

“I occasionally feel this sense of emptiness, I guess. Maybe seeing that human man triggered it. I just wish I had the same kind of innate knowledge you have about your history for my own. I spend all my free time watching human documentaries, films, and other forms of media. Or reading books. But it isn’t the same as living it.”

“I’m sorry.”

She shrugs. “It could be worse. At least I had the galaxy at my fingertips within the glass walls of Oculus Nine.”

“Do you miss it? The Order?”

“No.” The word comes out in a sigh. “Shockingly, I don’t. This is the most excitement and adventure I’ve ever had.” She tosses me a wry smile. “Though I would have preferred not to be stolen from my bed.”

“Talk to the Order about that. I asked politely the first time.”

“I still don’t understand why they told you no.” A line forms between her eyebrows. “Other members of the Order routinely travel off Oculus Nine to help.”

“Is there some reason they would want to keep you on board? Something special about you?”

“No.” She looks at me with sincerity. “I’m completely mundane. The only gift I have is my ability to translate and understand so many languages.”

“There are many words I’d use to describe you, Neev. Mundane would never be one of them.”

Before she can say anything, Cuna calls me down to engineering. I leave her curled on the couch, looking out at dusk falling over the horizon through the window. It feels wrong to walk away from her while she’s upset and pensive, even if her emotional state isn’t my business.

I find Cuna with their team, two of which are halfway inside one of the panels behind the drive, legs sticking out as they work on repairs. Cuna looks up from their tablet when I enter the room.

“How long until the drive is fixed?” I ask them.

“We should be able to launch back into space as soon as everyone is on board. After that maybe another hour before we can make the jump back to Zeahiri.”

“That’s perfect. I’ll get everyone to their stations.” The twelve-hour leave I granted will be ending in a little over an hour. “Do you need anything else from me down here?”

“No. We’re good. I’ll let you know if that changes.”

* * *

I’ve called all crew to their stations to prepare for atmospheric exit and then our jump to Zeahiri. As soon as I announced over the coms system that they’d be back in their own beds by tomorrow night, I could practically feel the wave of euphoria ripple through the ship. We have been gone nearly a month, some of the crew have mates and families waiting at home for them. I know they’re anxious to get home.