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“I can attest that he would not have been able to walk if it had not been given, Commander Voor,” Dr. Isa said.

But still Khoth looked displeased. Jace understood why. It was alien medication that Typhon had no idea what the end result would be once administered. Still, Dr. Isa would know the extent of the damage so it ended up being a good thing.

“Beyond what happened here, no one was ready for a space battle like that,” Jace said. He switched gears as he said, “I’m sure that you’re all interested in seeing Haseon, exploring our first new world, but I need you to do other things while you’re here as well.”

“Of course, Pilot,” they all seemed to say at once.

What had Dr. Isa told him about sharing burdens with the willing? Well, he was going to do it starting now.

“Dr. Kerr, I have sent to your comm information on every party that wishes to meet with me and join our crew. You also now have access to databases about those species. I’d like you to review them and give your analysis to me.”

She nodded, already scanning through the list. “I’ll be happy to, Pilot. Perhaps I should return to the Osiris then? To focus on this?”

She didn’t look eager to go back to the ship, but he imagined her hunkering down in her office on the Osiris as she poured over every bit of data. Maybe that would have been ideal. But he was not going to let perfection be the enemy of good enough. He needed her to spread herself a little thin right now.

“I’d actually like you to stay. I need you to surreptitiously observe Alliance members--especially those in power and here’s another list--and tell me what you think,” he told her.

Another nod. “We’re being accompanied by Thaf’ell, which I am sure you already know. Perhaps I will get a chance to talk to my minder about some of these people. Though there are quite a few.”

“Don’t worry, Dr. Kerr. Dr. Isa and Matias will assist.” Jace sent them the lists too as he turned his attention to Daraja and Matias. “Our goal is, of course, to understand the politics going on here and what they’re not telling.”

“I am good at this!” Matias chuckled. “People see Chili and her meeting bow and they talk. Let their guards down. I will find out much.”

“I’ve been paired with Amana. I believe that she will be an excellent resource in understanding the lay of the land and the people in it,” Dr. Isa said. “It was due to her that our minders are out in the hallway instead of hovering in here.”

“I would not allow them to interfere with the Pilot’s treatment,” Khoth said, drawing up and looking quite formidable.

“Commander Voor, these are your people,” Dr. Kerr pointed out gently. “Do you have any advice for us in tackling them?”

Khoth was quiet for some moments before he said, “Before I joined the Osiris, I would have told you that I knew my people well, but now…” He shook his head. “I would use their ignorance of humans against them. They believe that they are immune from emotion. On the contrary, they are ruled by it. Fear, I imagine, is the foremost emotion in their mind at this time. They want certainty again. Everything they’ve been told about the Khul and their safety here on Haseon is a lie. I would use those things.”

Dr. Kerr nodded. “That sounds wise.”

“Lieutenant-Commander Davies had similar thoughts,” Matias piped up.

Jace glanced at Khoth, hoping that his beloved was not annoyed at the mention of Davies. But there was not even the faintest grimace on Khoth’s face. It could be that Khoth was hiding his dislike of the spy, but Jace didn’t think so. The battle had bound them all together. Davies had shown himself to be invaluable. Jace didn’t have any bad thoughts towards him either any longer. In fact, he was starting to rely upon him.

“I actually need to speak to him and Thammah,” Jace said.

“You need to rest, Pilot.” Khoth gave him a stern look and pressed a hand down on his shoulders, urging him to lay down again.

“I’m actually feeling a whole lot better with the pig,” Jace told him. “Oh, and most of the goo’s in my system too.”

Chili oinked and lolled on Jace’s stomach. She was closing her eyes and Jace was almost inclined to close him. He imagined that napping with Chili and Khoth could be quite nice. But no, not yet, he had things to do.

“They are out in the hallway along with a friend of yours, Commander Voor,” Dr. Kerr said. “A Commander Matzen?”

Khoth straightened and his eyes widened. “Matzen?”

“He was on the vessel commanded by High Commander Thran Staed. He took over when Staed was injured,” Jace told him. “Dad loves the guy. Evidently, Matzen wants to be a member of the crew.”

Khoth blinked. “He is an excellent soldier. He would be more than worthy as a crewmate. He is outside, you say?”

“Yes, shall we send them all in?” Matias asked.

“Yes, and you’d best take Chili to start your own tasks.” Jace reluctantly gave up the half-asleep pot belly pig to Matias after kissing her head. “It appears the goo is done infusing as well.”

Dr. Isa nodded and detached the line. He put a bandage over the entry point, but it was really unnecessary. He had already healed, but he let her do it all the same. People needed to feel useful and she was more than useful to him.