He lifted his shoulders in an odd manner and looked away.

“Now, kyrin,” the medic said, gesturing to the boy. “We’re working on prompting responses from the subject. If we can get him to identify commonplace objects, this will help build the lexicon. So far I’ve only managed to elicit one-word responses from him, but we need more than that. Complete sentences will build syntax, allow the System to more quickly recognize his particular thought patterns.”

The boy was glaring now. I ignored him.

“Should I use the visual indicator program?” I asked.

The medic tugged his earlobe. “Just as you would for a child.”

“Right. I will be happy to help,” I said, forcing my lips into a carefully-practiced, Melusin-like smile.

“Comm if you require assistance. I’ll be across the corridor, tending to our other patients.”

“Let’s see,” I said when the medic had gone. I pulled open a System panel, loaded the visual indicator program. “Where did you leave off?”

The boy didn’t answer. He was watching me warily. I sighed.

“All right. Let’s just start at the beginning. What is your word for this animal?” An image of a gurza hovered between us, its hefty back legs supporting its upper body weight and that of a rider.

The boy’s eyebrows scrunched together, and he poked the image, his mouth slightly agape. He laughed, a scoffing half-chuckle, but he didn’t speak. I gritted my teeth.

“All right, forget that one. What about this?”

The next image was a tree. I paused, staring at the image for a long moment. I had not seen a tree like this one in years. The few that grew in the aboveground portion of the dome were small and scraggly. They bore tiny, bitter fruit. I ran my fingers across the image, but there was nothing but empty air. My eyes stung in spite of myself.

The boy opened his mouth as if to say something. He hesitated, then snapped his jaw shut, folding his arms and looking away.

I waved the visual indicator away irritably. “If you won’t cooperate,” I said, “we’re never going to decode your brain waves.”

His eyes flicked over to mine, and for an instant I thought—I was certain—that he had understood me.

Then the door behind me slid open.

I glanced over my shoulder. “Ceilos!” He looked exhausted. I hurried to him, placing a steadying hand on his shoulder. “What are you doing here? You look like you haven’t slept all night.”

“I’m fine. After all, I’m not the one who nearly got exposure poisoning. Anyway, I needed to talk to you,” he said.

I frowned. “I heard about what happened on Hamos. I am so sorry. Are you… all right?”

“Just tired,” he replied. “You know what speaking with Geros Tibros can be like.”

“Yes, but Gerouin Clodin…”