She hadn’t even known that was possible, but desire glowed within her until she felt incandescent. She took a breath, wishing they had privacy for the explorations she’d like to conduct. So many pleasurable experiments awaited them. But this wasn’t the time or place. Even if they retreated to the accommodations they had been allotted, the others might be there.

Focus.

“I feel the same,” she admitted.

He grazed her face with a forelimb, such a light touch, but once, he could scarcely bear any physical contact at all and now he offered it to her freely. That one caress held all the power of light breaking a long night cycle. “Then will you cease inventing obstacles between us?”

There was so much she wanted to say, but she settled for, “Yes. Let’s ask if anyone fits the criteria and may be able to assist you in recovering your memories.”

Qalu led the way through the market, inquiring here and there until they were directed toward the far corner, where a grubby stall was set up against the wall. The makeshift shop was grimy and unprepossessing, run by an alien of the same phenotype as Hertel, complete with pebbled, reddish skin, and swiveling eyestalks. The proprietor stared them down long before turning their body, and she found that somewhat disconcerting.

“You’re a bio-synth hybrid.” No greeting, just that blunt statement.

Helix responded, “That’s correct. I’ve been told that you might be able to assist with a memory problem I’ve been having.”

“Fascinating! I mostly work on mech units but let me look. Follow me.” The eager tone made her nervous.

Qalu didn’t like any of this, but since Helix wanted an assessment, she trailed after them into a dim inner sanctum built into the wall itself. She suspected the vendor had created this bolt-hole himself, as it seemed dubious that it would be found on any official schematic. The cramped area was full of various components, bits of wiring, and parts of broken bots. A disembodied metal head stared at her, a red light flashing slowly behind its eyes.

Why do I feel like we’re standing in a killer’s lair?

“I’m Qalu and this is Helix,” she said, hoping that an official introduction would make her feel better about this situation.

“Stupid of you to use your actual names, but who am I to stop you? Call me Trizyt, I suppose, if you must call me anything at all.” Four eyestalks circled, glancing between them with fearful intensity. “Before we begin, how will you be paying for my services?”

She hadn’t even thought about that. “I—”

“Fortunately, I’m interested in this one here.” Two spindly limbs crept out and prodded at Helix, as if testing the consistency of his flesh. “I’ll help for free, practically. All you need to do is let me take detailed scans of his neural matrix.”