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an outside opinion on, and you’ve mentioned in the past that you would like to see our ship.”
    A few seconds went by while they waited for his answer. “Thank you for inviting me. I would love to come see your ship.”
    The comms channel closed.
    “Commander,” the AI said.
    “Yes, Athena?”
    “The upgrades that were done to the ship have been tested and signed off by the crew. Having Gaarokk review these findings is counterproductive,” the AI said.
    “Well, it wouldn’t hurt to have a second pair of eyes look at our systems, and we’re also doing this to build trust with the Boxans, giving them a chance to learn more about us so we in turn can learn more about them,” Kaylan said.
    “I understand. Thank you for explaining,” the AI said.
    “Before you go, I had another thought,” Emma said. “It would be helpful if we got a sample of Boxan blood from one who has been affected by the Xiiginn.”
    “I don’t know how we can do that without them finding out what we’re doing,” Kaylan said.
    “Leave it to me,” Katie said.
    Emma glanced at both of them.
    “The only one affected was Kladomaor, and he was wounded during our escape from the cruiser. Perhaps I can find a sample of his blood in their med bay,” Katie said.
    “I didn’t even think of that,” Kaylan said.
    “You have enough to worry about. We’re all a team, and we do this together,” Katie said.
    Kaylan nodded and opened up a comms channel that would broadcast through their ship. “This is the commander. In a few minutes we’ll be having a visitor from the Boxan ship. Gaarokk was nice enough to come over for a tour. Please extend him every courtesy while our guest is aboard. Katie and I are heading back to the Boxan ship.”

    *****

    Kladomaor watched as Gaarokk rose from his console station and left the bridge. His curiosity was piqued, so he decided to follow as Gaarokk headed toward the airlock that connected them to the Athena.
    “Going somewhere?” Kladomaor asked.
    “Kaylan invited me to come see their ship,” Gaarokk said. “Probably a good idea. Their partial AI has had them upgrading some of their ship’s systems. They did their own checks, but it’s probably not a bad idea that someone else takes a look.”
    “I remember Zack telling us about the AI. It was a partial construct from our listening station in their star system,” Kladomaor said.
    “He is quite clever—first figuring out how to access the Star Shroud Network and then helping the AI adapt to their computer systems,” Gaarokk said, and turned to gather a few pieces of equipment to bring with him.
    Kladomaor noted the somber tone from Gaarokk. “You don’t approve of the course I wish to take?”
    Gaarokk finished what he was doing and turned back toward Kladomaor. “It’s difficult to say. I agree with Ma’jasalax that if we force the Humans to abandon one of their own, it may turn them against us. At the very least, they’ll resent us for it.”
    “I don’t want to force them to do anything. Leaving right now is the best course of action for them,” Kladomaor said.
    “No, in this you’re wrong, my friend. Leaving now lowers the risk of the Humans falling into the Xiiginns’ hands. Just because it might be safer for them to leave now doesn’t mean it’s what’s best for them.”
    “He’s just one member of their crew—” Kladomaor began.
    “His name is Zack,” Gaarokk said.
    The sharp tone from the scientist surprised him.
    “I know his name,” Kladomaor said quietly.
    “Then why don’t you use it? Perhaps having the Humans with us will teach us something we’ve forgotten—the value of one life and that the bond across many individuals is enough to outweigh the risks for the safest course of action,” Gaarokk said.
    Kladomaor took a deep breath. “They could be an ally against the Xiiginns and be our salvation.”
    “That’s just it. I understand where you’re coming from. Seeing the big picture has its place, but