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ambassador, whether he wants it or not—and I’m not sure he does.”
    “Well, you obviously don’t tell anyone. Don’t be an idiot about it.” She paused. “Come on. He’s waiting.”
    When they exited, Ilin made sure to be squinting outside. He already had a substantial headache but was doing his best at ignoring it. It helped to hear that Captain Pfeil was interested. It did not help to hear that he wasn’t planning on doing anything about it.
    “Have you had mulled wine before, Ambassador?” asked the governor, passing him a warm mug. Ilin shook his head.
    “It’s good in the cold,” said the captain, selecting a seat a good distance away from Ilin and sitting. He stared almost wistfully outside as he sipped. Ilin filed away the information and reminded himself to check with Nadine about whether there was any mulled wine on the ship.
    The mulled wine was good, sweet and spicy and warm, and Ilin nodded approval.
    “This is very good,” he said.
    “Well, there’s one thing he likes,” mumbled the captain, so low that Ilin was under the impression he thought only the governor seated between them would be able to hear.
    “I like the clouds too,” said Ilin, nodding outside. They were rolling in, dark and angry looking, but they covered the sun.
    The governor nodded.
    “We’re supposed to get a storm later today. Recommend you fly back to your ship before then, Captain. Some of our snowstorms can make travel difficult.”
    “We’ll be orbiting Arctos for the next few days, I’m afraid,” said the captain, staring outside. “Engineering has maintenance. I’d like to give some of my crew leave to come down to visit, if that’s all right with you.”
    “We can work out the details. We don’t have an overabundance of supplies, though.”
    “I’ll have them bring what they need. I was also thinking that you might care to stay down here for the duration, Ambassador a’dlen Jhex,” said the captain, and Ilin looked over at him so sharply that the governor stood, muttering something about retrieving the rest of the wine.
    “No,” said Ilin.
    The captain frowned, swirling the rest of his wine before drinking it.
    “A planet is more interesting than a ship.”
    “Not this planet,” said Ilin. He hated what he had seen of this planet.
    “It would give you a better chance to examine our colonization practices.”
    Ilin set aside his empty mug.
    “Captain Pfeil, are you trying to be rid of me?”
    The captain glanced up, and their eyes met for a brief moment before he looked away.
    “I’ll stay down here if you will.”
    “I can’t stay down here. I have a ship to run.”
    “And I don’t like this planet.” He watched the captain wince. “Do you fear I’ll report that?”
    “Report whatever you want, Ambassador.”
    “You’re not supposed to dissuade me, correct?” asked Ilin, finding himself irritated. Usually he was good at keeping his cool, but the captain was beginning to really wind him up, not to mention the searing lights and his headache and the fact that he was overdue for his meds so the air was bothering him.
    “Jhex—”
    “It’s Ilin. Or return to using a’dlen,” said Ilin, standing. “I think we should return to the ship. I haven’t had my pills for your air in a while now, and I’m beginning to feel it.”
    The governor reentered then, holding a bottle. She watched as Ilin crossed to the door, then glanced at the captain, who was standing.
    “The air is a bit thin for the ambassador,” he said. “Thank you, Governor Conley. I’ll be in contact while we’re still orbiting.”
    Ilin hung back while the captain gathered his crew and led them back to their shuttle. He did not seem to mind that he was allowing the ambassador to trail along behind everyone, and though the crew members tried to let Ilin past them, he shook his head. He did not particularly care for them to see him having to catch his breath, anyway.
    The captain lingered outside as his crew made