He holds my gaze for what seems like minutes but then says, “I understand. I will arrange a meeting tonight. Now. The doctor will sit with you both. I do not want her to poison your mind.”

“Thank you.”

“But, there is a catch,” he adds. “After this meeting, I want you to think long and hard about what I have said about mixing your good reputation with hers.” He moves over to his computer, and I watch as he organizes for the other human to come over to our ship. Of course, she is coming with guards, which means that my Commander will send guards as well as the doctor with me. “She will be waiting for you in conference room one. Do you know where that is?”

“I will find it,” I say. “May I go now, or should I finish my duties here first?”

“Go,” he waves me off.

I turn and walk as fast as I can out the door without even saying ‘goodnight.’ Once in the empty corridor, I follow the signs to conference room one. It’s in the officer’s working area. I’m so excited that I round a corner without thinking too much, as the hallways are almost empty due to the late hour, and run right into the doctor. I fall to the floor, but he quickly offers me a hand up.

“Slow down there. I am glad to see you are feeling better,” he says.

“Thank you for agreeing to this.”

“It was an order, but I would have agreed anyway. I do not know much about Water people, but I think if you want to speak to her, it is good that I supervise it.”

“To support the Commander’s will,” I say.

“No,” he replies. “To support your grasp on reality.”

I balk. “I have a firm grip on reality.”

“I know you do, but does she?” he questions me. I don’t have a chance to answer before he continues, “Before we go in, I want to assure you, I will not tell anyone what you talk about. I am just here for your health, Volunteer 4711.”

“Thank you,” I say, walking into the conference room. It’s empty except for the other human woman. The guards from the other fleet are outside the door, joined by my Commander’s guards.

I smile at the woman and sit down across from her; the doctor takes a seat on the other end of the table between us.

“This is our ship’s doctor. He’s here to monitor my health as I ….”

“I was there,” the human woman replies. “Remember?”

“Of course,” I say, thinking she must think I’ve completely lost my mind. “I’m sorry for calling you here so late. I just wanted to talk to you. To sort this all out.”

She shakes her head. “It’s fine. I don’t mind at all. It’s been so long since I’ve seen another human; it’s good to talk. I’m just impressed you managed it. I mean, with a conference room and everything.”