Page 78 of Stripped By the Alien

I look at him for several moments. "The Beast does not answer questions. Not even from me. Certainly not from you."

"With respect, I have had her answer some questions, Chief Harrower."

"I struggle to imagine how."

"With difficulty, I admit," Lucius replies. "But she has seen many things over the years and with your immense authority behind me, perhaps she will tell me some of them."

I already know my answer. Allowing Lucius unrestricted access to my crew seems unwise, and allowing him access to the Beast seems even worse.

Before I can refuse, Nora speaks. "Why not let him try?"

Several crewmembers make sounds of immediate protest.

Nora ignores them. "You've already tried everything else. Besides, Lucius is smarter than anybody here. Machines are like that. We use them for everything that requires thinking, and if you ask them the right way, they can give good answers. And fast."

The chamber becomes even quieter than before.

Lucius dips one end of his shiny disk. "Thank you, Nora. Well put."

I close my eyes for a moment. I do need that Gzet planet. Then I point at Lucius. "You have permission."

Around the chamber, every creature present begins to look nervous. For reasons I can’t entirely explain, that makes me nervous too.

The crew parts for us as we leave the command chamber. Nobody attempts to stop me, and nobody follows with another report or request. They remain behind, watching Lucius with the same expression I would expect from creatures observing a dangerous predator that has just wandered into the Nest. I find myself almost feeling sorry for them.

Beside me, Nora stretches both arms over her head and releases a long breath. "I think you just made everyone on this ship nervous."

"I believe Lucius accomplished that himself."

She laughs, and the sound eases something inside my chest. The effect is brief, though I notice it all the same. We continue through the corridor together while the Beast hums around us, carrying the familiar pulse of circulation systems and distant machinery.

The audience with the Queen refuses to leave my thoughts. Every answer gets examined again. Every question acquires new meanings. I replay the Queen's voice, the Inquisitor's interruptions, the expressions of the courtiers, and the way half the chamber stared at Nora. Most of all, I keep hearing the Queen mention small thunderstorms.

Nora eventually catches me staring at nothing. She folds her arms and studies me as though I am a difficult puzzle. "You have an expression on your face that says the universe is collapsing and only you have noticed."

For a moment I consider explaining that the universe always appears close to collapse if examined carefully enough. The difficulty is that Nora might actually agree with me. Instead I keep walking and pretend not to hear her.

By the time we reach my chamber, I am tired of my own thoughts.

The membrane parts before us. The room looks exactly as I left it. The bed occupies its usual place. The walls glow with the Beast's familiar amber light. Somewhere beyond them, I can feel nutrients moving through her immense body. The surroundings should feel comforting. Instead I find myself listening for dangers that are no longer present.

Nora steps inside and turns toward me. "You are still thinking."

I wait for the membrane to seal behind us before answering. "The Queen is the one who’s thinking."

"She's always thinking, she said."

"She has precious little else to do. And now she’s thinking about you."

Nora watches me for several moments. Then she begins peeling loose one edge of her protective wrapping. The motion immediately draws my attention, which means she notices it at once.

A small smile appears on her face. "I am beginning to understand something."

I narrow my eyes. "Should I be worried?"

"Probably." She pulls a short strip loose and tosses it onto a nearby surface. "I think your entire species spends most of its time worrying."

"We do not."