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along.
    â€œIt’s alive,” he said. “This ship is a living organism.”
    Syl and the humans had all seen and endured so much in their short lives, but they had never encountered anything like this. Even Meia, older than the rest of them, appeared awed. Only Rizzo resorted to practicalities.
    â€œAnd we’re in its belly,” she said. “Great.”
    It struck Paul that Rizzo might be entirely incapable of wonder. It had seemingly been removed from her at birth.
    â€œLook!” said Syl.
    She was pointing out of the window next to her. The others moved to the port side of the Nomad . A length of tubular organic matter, like a massive vein, was extruding from the bay, growing from the flesh of the ship and extending itself toward their vessel.
    â€œThat’s just gross,” said Rizzo.
    The Nomad rocked slightly as the tube connected with the door on the port side. Seconds later, the door unlocked and hissed open. Paul walked to the doorway. Before him stretched a tunnel of bluish tissue. Like the bay, it was lit by what Paul could now see was bioluminescent matter. Carefully he reached out and tested the wall. It was rigid, slightly warm, and smelled faintly of meat, like a very hygienic butcher’s shop. It also curved about halfway down its length, so he could not see the end.
    â€œSyl?”
    She joined him. Behind her, Meia tilted her head and frowned a warning at Paul.
    â€œThey already know about her,” said Paul. “That ship has sailed.”
    He turned back to Syl.
    â€œAre we in danger?” he asked.
    Syl extended her right hand and touched the tunnel. She could almost feel the color that instantly flooded into her mind, so vivid was it: greenish-yellow, shading at its edges to red. The voices were present again, a low hum in her consciousness.
    â€œNot yet,” she replied.
    â€œWhat does that mean?”
    â€œFor now they’re still just interested, but if we act strangely, or give them any cause for concern, they’ll kill us.”
    That wasn’t reassuring, as Paul wasn’t precisely sure what counted as acting strangely when moving through an organic spacecraft populated by unseen aliens.
    â€œAny clue yet as to who ‘they’ are?”
    â€œNo,” said Syl. “I can hear them, and sense their feelings, but only as much as they’ll allow.” She lowered her voice so that only he could hear. “Paul, I’m the one of whom they’re most distrustful. I’m the one putting us at risk.”
    â€œBecause of your powers?”
    She shook her head.
    â€œNo. Because I’m Illyri.”
    Paul took her left hand in his right.
    â€œWe’re together,” he told her. “You let them know that.”
    Syl smiled at him.
    â€œI don’t need to tell them. Just as I can sense their feelings, so they can sense mine. I think you may be the only reason that I’m still alive.”
    â€œWow, it’s almost like you need me.”
    Her grip tightened.
    â€œIsn’t it?” she said.
    Thula tapped Paul on the shoulder.
    â€œPerhaps you could concentrate on the problem at hand,” he said. “You can discuss your wedding plans later.”
    Paul reddened, but he did not release his hold on Syl.
    â€œSteven, Rizzo, Alis: you stay with the Nomad ,” he ordered. “Meia, Thula: you’re with us.”
    â€œWeapons?” asked Thula.
    Paul looked to Syl for advice. She shook her head, and turned to Meia.
    â€œMeia, they know you’re armed.” Among Meia’s adaptations was a piece of internal weaponry buried in the workings of her right arm. “If you attempt to use it, they’ll destroy you.”
    â€œI understand.”
    After only the slightest hesitation, Paul and Syl stepped onto the docking bridge and began walking. It was slightly springy underfoot, as if inflated.
    Thula grinned at Meia.
    â€œAfter you,” he said. “You won’t