“Where’s Sassinak?”

“On the bridge.” Lunzie wondered what had upset him this time. The Weft marine corporal behind him looked more amused than concerned. “Want to wait here for her?”

“I don’t want to wait.” He came in, nonetheless, and sat down on the white-cushioned chair as if determined to stay forever. “I want to know how much longer it will be.” At Lunzie’s patient look, he went on. “When we will arrive at... at this Sector Headquarters, whatever that is. When Tanegli’s mutiny trial will be. When I can speak for my ... my peers.” He’d hesitated over that; “peer” was a new word to him, and Lunzie wondered where he’d found it.

“I don^t know,” she said mildly. “She hasn’t told me, either. I’m not sure she knows.” She glanced at the door, where the Weft stood relaxed, projecting no threat but obviously capable. “Does it bother you to be followed?”

Aygar nodded, and leaned closer to her. “I don’t understand these Wefts. How can they be something else, and then humans? How does anyone know who is human and who isn’t? And they tell me of other aliens, not only Wefts and Thek that I have seen, but Ryri who are like birds, and Bronthin, and ...”

“You saw plenty of strange animals on Ireta.”