“This is going to get really confusing if you keep deciding on your names based on who you talked to when,” I said, with a glance at my Second. She looked confused, as much as a many-tentacled caterpillar creature could. I pointed to the kangaroo. “If they’re the Second because they were the second person to talk to Jeff, and you’re Second because you were the second person to talk to me, we’re never going to be able to keep you straight.”

// ah! // said my Second, with all apparent delight. // we see. we apologize for any confusion: the last harvest did not believe in personal names, but in the context of the group as a whole. we learn each new world through the harvest it grants us. you have so much to give to our garden. //

Jeff made a wry face. “This is how it’s been for me since I got here. Is this how it’s been for you?”

“I don’t know.” I dropped into one of the open chairs without waiting to be asked. A small puff of spores drifted up from the glowing gills of the mushroom. They smelled like mint and blueberry. “My head is so full of things that it feels like it’s going to explode.”

// I remember when my harvest was gathered in // said Jeff’s Second, in a tone I could only call nostalgic. // we had been waiting so long, surrounded by those who would never know us as we knew each other, and then from the sky came salvation, family, home. we were so fortunate on that day, and we are so fortunate now, to carry that day across the stars to you. my harvest believes in personal designations. you may call me the Swift, for I have always been quick and sure in defense of our gardens. //

// I will remain Second // said Second, with an apologetic wave of her tentacles as she slithered into the seat beside me. // it is a title, not a name, and so it does not discomfort me as a false name would. //

“When you say ‘garden,’ what you mean is ‘world,’ right?” I asked, looking between them. At Second’s gesture of agreement, I asked, “How many gardens have you, um, harvested?”

// we of this vessel have harvested from hundreds since it was grown // said Second proudly. // we have done so very well. you will join us in doing so very well. //

“The ships are planted, like we were,” said Jeff. “They draw the nutrients and necessary minerals from the soil, and when they reach maturity, the technicians use biochemical processes to make them mobile. Every world adds its own ships to the armada. They’ll mostly be crewed by people like us, when they come from Earth, because they’ll also be the preservation ships for Earth’s culture.”