“One small item of concern. To keep in mind while you’re ‘observing and learning.’” Reed sat up. “We know nothing of these Mozehna beyond what Tilenyii has chosen to tell Dev. What if they’re not willing to go along with the A'jeii’s demands? What if their species’ personality is more like the Olone than the A'jeii? What if they show up for negotiations equipped more like the Kaijank?” He was gazing hard at Dev.

“If I had to hazard a guess,” Dev replied, “I would say that the A'jeii are not a species willing to reward failure. Tilenyii sounded fairly confident that negotiations will go well. Vantolos was of another opinion.”

Reed let out a soft snort. “What would you expect from the squid, when Tilenyii is all but telling him that in this instance he needs backup? From an unarmed human, no less?” A slow smile spread across his face. “What you just said, Dev, about the A'jeii not rewarding failure? What if the opposite eventuates? What if the negotiations, with you present as the ‘mystery’ alien, go really well? What are you going to do—what are we going to do—if the A'jeii subsequently insist that you or one of us are present at any and all future such ‘negotiations’? What if the A'jeii, who you indicate don’t really get along all that well with the squids, decide to cut them out of further negotiations entirely and just rely on a human presence? That would make the future awkward for us and leave us with a potential real enemy in the form of the Olone on this ship.”

Dev’s response was emphatic. “I do not think that speculation has any basis in reality, Gavin. From what I have been able to ascertain, the Olone were integral to the theft of this ship. The A'jeii cannot just dispense with them—or disrespect them in the manner you suggest. Besides, there is only one experienced linguist among us.” He indicated Zimmer. “We know nothing of other alien species, let alone their languages.”

Reed placed a hand over his left side. He was not feeling pain there, nor was he planning to pledge allegiance. It was the location for the handgun that under normal circumstances would have been holstered there.

“I wonder how an Olone would respond to a slug delivered from close range. Would they spill blood like a human? Or go splat like a bug?”

Dev was alarmed. “I have to say that is not a very productive line of thought, Gavin.”

“Maybe not.” Reed’s fingers slid away from his side. “But I can be free to speculate with my mind, if not my body.”

Katou-Zimmer eyed him disapprovingly. “On Earth, Vantolos was just doing his job, Gavin. Don’t make his actions there into something personal.”

“Who, me?” He laid back flat on the floor again. “I’m the quiet, impersonal one, remember?”