Interface by Viola Grace Page A

surprised, but she answered as honestly as she could. I go where I am assigned. My requests are not usually taken into account.
    I understand. His voice was wistful.
    I can try. Perhaps when I am paired with my Drai, he will have a water affinity and I can visit.
    Ah, the bride of a Drai. That explains your ability to work with huge, old minds. To her surprise, Nother chuckled.
    I have not met him yet. As far as I know, he still sleeps.
    Then he is missing out on your amazing mind. I hope he wakes quickly, for your sake. Some other mind might snatch you up if he takes too long.
    How flattering. Are you courting me?
    I would if I could. Your mind is fascinating and you have patience with my slow methods of thought. You are ideal for an avatar, Specialist.
    Nother slowed as they approached the landing platform.
    You flatter me.
    No, I am honest with you, but I feel your fear. I will leave the subject, but know that the offer is sincere. Though there is much water here, there is land as well and you and I could commune on the islands above.
    Tempting, but I will give my dragon a try.
    Very well. I will wait for additional communication from the Alliance to confirm environmental suitability. Be well, Specialist Markham.
    Nother glided up to the platform and a grateful Vikki swam for the ladder. The moment that she latched on to the metal, Nother lazily moved his tail and swam away.
    Clinging to the ladder with all her strength, she waited out the swirl of current caused by the huge creature's movements. When all was still, she climbed up to the surface, flopped on her back and ripped off her mask.
    She gasped in the atmosphere, not caring that the metallic taste was in every breath.
    The scrape of a boot near her head made her look up, but the shadow was silhouetted by the suns and she could not make out his features. "It looks like it was a rough one."
    She grimaced. "Shut up and haul me into the ship, Vinni."
    Her partner cackled and grabbed her under her arms. "Gross, you are all wet."
    "That is what happens when you swim." She stayed limp, exhausted from her work under the surface of Nother.
    "Was it successful?"
    "Yup. Nother has offered an edible breed of fish. There has to be some back and forth with seaweed comparisons, but it should be good." Her heels were dragging on the platform, but she didn't care. Vikki yawned.
    Vinni was her partner, her pilot and occasionally an interior designer. One of the Dhemon pinks, he was born to never breed and had an active social life on every world and space station they landed on. He also had the sensibilities of her little sister despite his surprising strength.
    She let out an oof when he dropped her into the chair near the com. Propping her head on her fist, she typed in the code for Station 13.
    "Station 13, how may I direct your call?"
    "Funny, Lonar. Is Zenina on the station?" She yawned again and the com officer's face showed his surprise.
    "She is off on assignment."
    "Haunt then?"
    "Just a moment."
    She stripped off her gloves while she waited. The closure of her suit fought her fingers, but she managed to peel it open to her sternum when Haunt's face came on screen.
    "Specialist Markham, how nice. What can I do for you?"
    "Hello, Haunt. I have obtained agreement from Nother for some compatible fish. He has offered fifty thousand and they are supposed to be edible for most bipedal species. He requires some samples of seaweed to provide proof that the fish will have food. So, with a few of your folk and some more visits, you will have some fish for Balen's oceans."
    "Thank you. We were beginning to wonder what was taking so long?" Haunt's attempt at humour didn't sit well with Vikki's exhausted mind.
    "You try getting an agreement out of a planet who has not talked to anyone in eons, under cold water no less. The details of the agreement will be filed and Balen can make the decision later. Specialist Markham out." She disconnected the call with the flip of a finger.
    "Get