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never know.”
    Alis opened all channels.
    â€œThis is the Nomad requesting communication with commander of unknown vessel,” she said. “Please respond.”
    Nothing.
    â€œTry again,” said Paul.
    â€œUnknown vessel, this—”
    All displays vanished from the cockpit screens, to be replaced by a single word rendered in the Illyri alphabet:
    WAIT
    So they waited, for what else could they do?
    â€¢Â Â â€¢Â Â â€¢
    In a strange way, the break was almost welcome. Many hours passed without any further communication from the alien ship, and the Nomad ’s crew became somewhat inured to its presence. Alis even darkened the cockpit windows, which made the massive bulk of the strange craft much less intimidating, and helped the crew to take turns sleeping. They had spent so much of the previous weeks fighting and fleeing that they were exhausted. With their fate taken out of their hands, all they could do was eat and rest. The Nomad had been resupplied at Melos Station, so it had a full larder. Okay, so most of it was Illyri food, but some of it wasn’t bad. In addition, their Illyri Brigade officer, Peris, had managed to requisition some human rations from the station’s huge stores, so there were chicken and noodle dishes that required only rehydration, along with coffee, tea, and even some chocolate. They ate well, and took turns to wash.
    Alis and Meia did not sleep or eat, but they availed themselves of the opportunity to get clean, and afterward Steven and Alis slipped away together into the rear cabin. Paul didn’t object: after all, there was a limit to what they could get up to back there. At least, he hoped so. He sipped his coffee standing in the ship’s tiny galley, and tried not to listen to the sounds of lips squelching together coming from somewhere over his right shoulder.
    â€œYoung love.”
    Syl laid a hand on his arm as she spoke.
    â€œI worry about him,” said Paul. “Actually, I worry about both of them.”
    â€œI don’t think it can end happily.”
    â€œHow could you say such a thing?” Paul replied. “A teenage boy filled with raging hormones, and an artificial being coming to terms with unanticipated emotional responses?” He smiled, but just a little sadly. “How can it possibly go wrong?”
    â€œWhat about an older teenage boy, also filled with raging hormones, and an Illyri girl, who likes to think she’s slightly more in control of her hormones, but not by much?”
    Paul turned and opened his arms to her. She melted into his embrace with something like relief. She was as tall as him now, and doubtless would grow taller yet, but her hair was still soft against his cheek and her warmth as enticing as ever it was, and he pressed himself against her.
    â€œI remain optimistic,” he murmured.
    â€œSo do I,” she said. “Can we talk?”
    â€œIsn’t that what we’re doing?”
    â€œActually, I think what you’re doing is trying to kiss my neck.”
    â€œMaybe.”
    â€œNot that it isn’t lovely, but I do need your full attention for a moment.”
    Paul sighed, and disengaged. Good grief, he thought, I’m even thinking in ship’s terminology about physical interaction with my girlfriend.
    â€œI’m listening.”
    â€œWhat I did earlier, when the alien ship sent out that scanning device—”
    â€œYou mean, taking away our ability to act against a possible threat?”
    â€œYes, that.”
    â€œYou know, given that I’m supposed to be in charge, I could have had you court-martialed.”
    She made a dismissive noise at him. “Oh yeah? You and what army, exactly?”
    â€œIt was dangerous, Syl. And wrong.”
    â€œCould you just listen to me without adding a sermon?”
    â€œGo on.”
    Syl took a deep breath and looked away from him. She started fiddling with her necklace again, as if it were