You sigh. "Alright, I suppose I do owe our new Medicae my thanks, Mr...?"

The Tau answers, its tongue forming the hissing words of its birth-language "Shas'Saal Sa'cea Saum'al."

"Wha...?"

A hissing expulsion you take for laughter. "Just call me Littleflame. It was a pleasure and honor to be of service Navigator Dannan."

"And Helheim and Lord Pyrus cleared this?"

Ekhi answers, "Actually, Bedard cleared it. He's convincing Helheim and Pryus at the moment. Something about pseudo-immunity to your Third Eye?"

"Indeed. I have never observed another Gue'la with three eyes such as yours Navigator Dannan."

You are not sure if you can trust this 'Litteflame', but Bedard obviously doesn't think it can do any harm, so... "It's the major part of the Navigator mutation. Rare, precious, and dangerous. Usable to stare directly into the Warp, if the Navigator can survive the strain. Hence the kerchief covering it, so others don't look into the Warp accidentally."

"A living Sho'kara? Rare and dangerous indeed! I'll start cleaning up. Pardon me."

"Any chance of releasing me?"

"From the restraints? About three minutes, as soon as the plate is in place and secured."

You can hear Littleflame's boots slapping against the deck as he withdraws to wash up. "Ekhi, who has seen Littleflame so far?"

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

"Us two, the Bishop, and Bedard. Bishop is currently down on Vrenna playing the Piety card and trying to calm the masses down. Shipmisstress Faunia knows as well. Why?"

“If Helheim or Pryus decide against Littleflame, it won't be a problem, it'll just vanish. If they decide to keep it around, it will need secure and secret quarters. I can't imagine the crew will tolerate it's presence indefinitely."

Ekhi chuckles. "You'd be surprised. All of them were either born aboard or recruited from frontier worlds. They have a higher tolerance for Xenos than anyone else in the Imperium."

"Do all of them do? Because it would only take one to end it."

"Enough of them do, I believe."

"You believe?"

"Littleflame's quarters are next to yours for the moment, so that should keep the crew away."

"Not a fanatic on a mission, but such a person would be as likely to come after me as well..." You pause as you hear the slap-slap-slap of Littleflame's boots returning.

"Alright Navigator Dannan, let's get you up and moving again. I'll start with limbs and them move to neck. You'll be sore for a while, and do report any headaches." It unlatches the cuffs and frees your neck from the restraint before helping you to your feet. "Can you dress unassisted, or do you require assistance?"

"I think I can dress myself..." You glance about for your clothes, and catch your first good view of Littleflame itself. Light blue skin, no nose but a nasal slit between the wide grey eyes. Black hair trimmed short in a military haircut, the kind to fit easily underneath a hard-shelled helmet. Skinny body, shrouded in a pale red tunic. Cloven-hoofed feet, wrapped in soft sandals. "...if I knew where my clothes were."

"Just over there on the sideboard. Your stewardess sent up a robe when she retrieved your battlemesh."

"Thank you." You walk over to the sideboard, conscious of your nudity. Ekhi you don't mind so much, being a fellow female and therefore used to seeing what all you have. You are not sure what gender Littleflame is, if it even has one. You give up on pondering what you don't know. You intend to learn later, if you get the opportunity, but you have a slightly more pressing concern.