He smiles at me. “I think, as you said before we entered this room, you have a firm grasp on reality. But I do not think you need to see her again.”

“I agree.”

“I can run some tests or give you medicine to calm you if you want?”

“I’m fine. I just want to go back to my quarters.”

“Do not hesitate to call me if you need anything.”

I put my hand on the doctor’s shoulder. “Thank you, and please do not repeat what I called her. If the Commander asks….”

“He will not ask. I have served with him for many years. He respects people’s privacy, even his valet’s. He will ask you directly if he wants to know what was said here.”

“I understand,” I say. “Good night.”

I return to my quarters, and I smile when the door closes behind me. “This is my space,” I say softly to myself. “I do not share it with anyone.” I take off my uniform with the Commander’s name on it and reassure myself, “I’m not a slave.”

CHAPTER 16

COMMANDER

Volunteer 4711 comes to my quarters at the usual time in the morning. As she helps me into my uniform, I ask her, “Did you have a productive meeting with the other Water woman?”

She stops what she is doing and looks up at me. “You were right.”

I touch her head lightly. “I am sorry.”

She pauses, then begins working again when I remove my hand. When I am dressed, I tell her, “You do not have to attend these meetings today.”

“It’s fine. We both said our piece,” she hesitates but then does not say anything else.

“Is there something more?”

“Nothing.”

I debate allowing her to attend today. I do not want her to be distracted by this other Water woman.

“Keep your weapon with you,” I tell her.

“Are you expecting trouble from the other fleet?” she asks.

“Water people have a reputation for being imprudent. You are not reckless, but I cannot speak for the other Water woman. You each live by different truths of your situations in Silver society. Yesterday might have also been the first time she was confronted with a different perspective than her own, and for some people, that can bring out violent reactions in them.”

For the first time, Volunteer 4711 speaks to me in her Water woman tongue. I understand, of course, my translator kicks on, but it is different and without an accent. “If she tries to hurt me, I will kill her.”

It takes me a second to acknowledge her statement. “I do not understand your words,” I finally say.

She and I hold eye contact. She knows I am lying, but I think she also knows why I said that.

“You heard me. I will protect myself,” she says in her familiar accented Silver now.

“I know you can,” I reply. “Be vigilant.”

She nods, and then I leave my quarters. I have a lot to do in the next few days, and I do not want to have to worry about her. However, I must let her have this freedom to prove she can defend herself. I try not to let her violent and direct Water woman words disturb me too much. I must also trust her that she will not kill the other Water woman for what she had said.