Cenz's system told him that Jophiel's drone had returned to its charging port, and they were currently isolated in Reactor Seven.

As he walked there, he noted that the Ambassador was not currently streaming data from any of the external cameras.

That was odd; the Star Angel usually had several streams going, even if they were in their resting state, which seemed to occur about every seventy-two hours.

It seemed as if the being had deliberately shut itself off from the outside.

He checked back in the data logs; this had occurred other times, but rarely. After their time on Gohhi, however, there had been a large uptick in such events.

He entered the reactor area. A handful of personnel were working, the third watch. They were a mix of fusion techs and xenobiologists, the latter of whom had the task of making sure that Jophiel's environment remained suitable to her.

"Officer on deck," the call came as he entered.

"As you were," he said, saluting back casually. The officers nodded, smiling to him, and returned to their duties.

No one was at the communication station.

Cenz sat down awkwardly; his water-filled suit pushed the weight limits of many chairs he encountered, though this one was solid enough that he felt secure. He had, at times, crushed chairs, something that he found somewhat embarrassing though no one seemed to hold it against him.

He jacked into the communication port.

"My apologies, Ambassador," he said by way of greeting. "It is Science Commander Cenz. I was hoping we may speak."

There was a pause; longer than normal. However, there did seem to be a reaction within the fusion chamber. They were aware of him.

The external feeds activated, viewing the entire room before viewing his position.

Perhaps it was scanning for someone in particular?

"Hello, Cenz," the Ambassador finally said. "It is nice to see you again! I greatly enjoyed our time viewing the 'parade' as you called it."

"I can, of course, say the same, Ambassador," Cenz said truthfully.

"You know, we do a similar thing in my home space," Jophiel continued. "There is a cultural event where we line up and move in a great chain. Through it we share feelings and knowledge. I had the pleasure of being involved in one of the greatest chains of all, where we nearly circled our entire star!"

"That is most impressive," Cenz said. "I can only imagine how many of your people would be needed for such an endeavor."

"We did have to stretch the definition of a chain slightly; the gaps between individuals was rather high. But we considered it a great success all the same."

"I am most pleased to hear that," Cenz replied.

"Now, to what do I owe the pleasure of this meeting?" Jophiel continued.

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"I wish to ask you a few questions," Cenz said. "I hope they are not intrusive."

"I do not mind answering if I can," they replied. "But you must know I am not a 'scientist', and sometimes such questions do not translate well, so I hope it is nothing too technical."

"I quite understand - sometimes such translations are quite difficult for my people as well," Cenz said. "I have told you, I believe, that my kind are not individuals, but a collection of beings who share an intelligence."

"You did! It's very interesting," Jophiel replied. "It is only somewhat different from other beings, isn't it? They, too, are made up of collections of cells that communicate."

"In a sense," Cenz replied. "But each of the Polyps that make up 'me' is its own being that has its own will. Individually, we are not that intelligent, admittedly. We could hold a very simple conversation at most, and it would take all of our focus. A great deal of effort is required for us to reconcile the different needs and desires of each Polyp. You could say we have become very skilled diplomats as a result."

"No wonder you are so well liked," Jophiel replied. "I read the public 'blogs' people put out, you know. I don't always understand them, but I do hear you mentioned sometimes, and always in the most positive terms."

"Really?" Cenz said, genuinely surprised.

"Oh, yes. Even . . ." Jophiel trailed off.

"Yes?" Cenz prompted. "Forgive my ego, but I am curious what you were going to say."

"Ah, just . . . Even Tred speaks well of you. You are always kind to him," Jophiel said. The voice sounded strange, though. It was hard to know if it was an artifact of translation, or a genuine emotion coming through.

"Ambassador, how do you feel?" Cenz asked.

Jophiel was quiet a moment. "My condition is fine."

It seemed an evasion. "Emotionally?"

They were quiet longer. "Why do you ask that, Cenz?"

"I ask, Ambassador, because I worry that something is bothering you. I am not a medical professional, nor a psychologist, but I do hope I could be of some service if you are experiencing distress."

Jophiel was quiet.

He waited; a minute passed. Then another.

"Ambassador?" he prompted.

"Do your people go to war?" Jophiel asked suddenly.

"We have never declared a war against another," Cenz replied truthfully. "Once, we were attacked by an enemy who viewed us as inferior and sought to destroy us. But with the help of the Union, we defended our people. Though . . . several of our colonies were destroyed and many of my people were killed."

Jophiel was slow in replying. "I see."

Then, after another pause, they spoke again. "I can imagine that was a great loss. So many entire collectives of Polyps gone. That is not normally how it goes for your people, is it?"

"No, it is not," Cenz replied. "You are quite right that it was traumatic. The individual Polyps that make up any of my people can move freely between one collective and another. They vary in age and experience. I tell you that this is how we have avoided having war for as long as our recorded history; no matter what material conditions might compel conflict, we are all collectives. When there are differences, we can exchange polyps with other collectives - and through them understand differences. In this way . . . no collective can bring themselves to starve another, to exterminate them for having differences. Because they are us and we are them."

"What happened if one collective did not wish to share?"

"They would die off," Cenz said. "We have no set lifespans, because we can continually replenish. If you do not exchange, you will weaken over time. Your thinking will become simple and predictable as the Polyps grow too strongly in synchrony. They will all grow old and die together, and then the whole will perish."

"I see," Jophiel said. She was quiet again for a moment. "It must be difficult, then, with beings who are not collectives."

"There have been challenges," Cenz agreed. "We are fortunate that the Bicet are such a wise people. They are individuals but understand that all sapients are collectives in their own way. Your people form chains, too."

"Yes," Jophiel said softly.

Silence fell between them for a time.

Until it was broken by Jophiel's outburst. "How can they kill each other, Cenz?"

The communicator screeched; it was almost overwhelmed by the power of Jophiel's words, and around him the techs and scientists looked up, alerted.

"Something's changed," one tech called. "The flux is going unstable . . ."

"Bring down the dampeners, get it in line," the chief officer called. "We can't let it-"

"Let it be," Cenz ordered out loud to them. "Until it reaches dangerous levels, allow it to play out."

They all looked at him. The chief officer looked unhappy, but nodded.