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“We shall see. Now, do rest.” Daraja sent his records with a flip of her finger to Dr. Mendoza before leaving the Med Bay.

The Osiris was as good as its word and did explain what the medication was and what it would do. It had also been right that she did not altogether understand everything, but what she did take away was that the Pilot was rather like a butterfly, or rather he was stuck between caterpillar and butterfly. He’d almost completed the transformation, but certain parts of him were not yet done evolving.

The medication would evolve those parts at a rate he could handle while still being able to interact with the world. Otherwise, he would need to go into a coma-like state for close to a whole Earth year to complete the transformation. The Khul attack on Haseon had shown them all that they did not have that kind of time.

So by the time that she reached the elevator, she was convinced to give the medication, but also, she had convinced the Osiris that she needed lessons in Jace’s biology. It didn’t seem as keen on this, but she got the impression the AI would think about it. She would insist.

Focused on the present moment, she looked over at Matias and Chili, who was cradled in the veterinarian’s arms. She, Matias and Dr. Kerr were all part of the medical personnel on board so they wore the clean white uniforms to identify them as such. That, of course, did not surprise her. What did surprise her was that Chili also had a little outfit. She had on a little white bow which was printed with stethoscopes and other medical paraphernalia.

“Oh, Chili is dressed up! She has a bow!” Daraja remarked with a laugh.

“It’s her meeting bow,” Matias said with an almost knowing nod.

“A meeting bow?” Dr. Kerr lifted up her left eyebrow.

“We are going down to Ylore,” Matias said, rocking back and forth as if unable to hide his excitement. “Per the Pilot’s request.”

“So he asked for Chili, too?” Daraja was now the one lifting an eyebrow.

“Yes! Chili was mentioned by name.” Mathias cradled the pig against his uniform and Daraja wondered if the pig was coming because Matias needed her rather than Jace.

“If I am not mistaken, Commander Khoth had a very positive experience with Chili, did he not?” Dr. Kerr asked.

“He did! He has requested to hold Chili several times!” Matias bobbed his head.

Chili snorted.

“You’re thinking that Commander Khoth needs to hold Chili… now, Dr. Kerr?” Daraja asked.

Dr. Kerr smiled. “Maybe. But I am guessing that the Pilot hopes that other Thaf’ell will have a similar positive reaction to Chili. Though I’m sure that all of the down there--and up here--could use a snuggle with her.”

Daraja knuckles and nodded. “Yes, you are likely right. Commander Khoth had a very positive reaction. And perhaps, he could do with holding Chili right now.”

“When he is not holding the Pilot,” Matias agreed.

“You noticed that, too, did you?” Dr. Kerr’s smile grew broader.

“Of course! It is so cute how they pretend not to be together! Little brushes of hands! Turning away from one another quickly after staring into one another’s eyes! And so much more!” Matias sighed pleasantly.

“They are trying to be professional by hiding what they feel,” Daraja said, but a smile tugged at her lips too.

“Too true, but no one is fooled,” Dr. Kerr said with a shake of her head.

“No one.” That was said by both Matias and Daraja at the same time.

“Are you going to the planet’s surface, too, Dr. Kerr?” Daraja asked.

“Please call me Miranda, and yes, I am. The Pilot is very concerned about the Alliance’s reaction to the Khul attack and all the accompanying issues,” she said.

Daraja nodded. “And please call me Daraja. When a people believes they are safe from a certain kind of attack and they realize they are not, bad things happen.”

“It reminds me a little of 9/11 for the United States of America. They knew there was danger, but it was out there. Then it came home and everything changed.” Miranda frowned. “Consequences spilled out in every rippling waves. The Pilot wishes to harness this and use it to our advantage. He wants this to lead to a productive place, but not a dark one.”

The elevator doors whooshed open. The three of them walked--Chili was carried--towards the dropship that was finishing being loaded up with weaponry. Lieutenant-Commander Davies was standing just in front of the gangway in full hard armor, a draagves and a rahir slung over his back. Clipped at his waist appeared to be various mines and grenades. He bristled with weapons. Considering he had been down there, fighting against the Khul, with nothing, Daraja’s heart clenched for him. He was speaking to Jack.

“Everyone will be required to wear their soft suits at all times under their uniforms. I am recommending that they also carry some weapons. All military personnel will be required to wear hardsuits and carry weaponry at all times,” Davies was saying.

Jack nodded, his hands on his hips, his jaw tight and his mouth pressed into a tight line. Daraja knew that he must be desperate to get down to his son. But duty kept him on the Osiris.