"I've left you a set of guidelines on running the ship," Brooks said to Jaya through the glass wall separating them.

He tightened the laces on his shoes. They were not a normal ship boot, but cloned-leather shoes in an ancient style. They were soft, flexible, a design which the Ambassador-General had recommended for down on the surface.

"I understand," Jaya said stiffly through the speaker on the glass wall. "I shall do my best to meet your expectations."

"You'll do fine," Brooks said, lifting his foot. "I have no doubts about that. And the guidelines are just because regulations say I must. You already know how to run the ship, Jaya."

She was quiet a moment, then nodded.

Putting his foot down, he studied her. She had been acting differently for some time now. They always respected each other, but she had been more formal since they had faced the Greggan pirates.

"Do you have any questions?" he asked.

"No," she replied. "I feel confident."

"Good, I'm glad to hear that," he said, standing. "You're finally getting your own command."

Jaya did not smile, she just nodded. "Only temporarily, Captain."

"Over two months," he said. "No small amount of time. I would not be surprised if you get offers for your own captaincy after this."

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He expected some excitement in her; while Jaya always kept her emotions close, he did not expect she'd try or be able to hide that.

But she had little reaction, just a nod.

His system reminded him of his schedule, and he stood up, squaring his shoulders.

"Commander Jaya Yaepanaya, I formally transfer to you the rank of Acting-Captain."

She held up her hand. "I swear on my life to uphold the values of the Union, to protect the ship, and to perform my duties to the best of my ability."

He nodded, then saluted her. She returned it, and he wished for a moment he could offer her his hand. The glass prevented it, so all he could say was: "Congratulations, Jaya."

She nodded again. "Thank you. I am surprised they are not bringing someone out to take the position. It would make the most sense. We are a very famous ship."

"Maybe they would have if we'd been closer to the Union. But it would take a few weeks to get someone out here, and they know you can handle it."

She quirked her head. "Why are they so confident in me?"

"My reports," Brooks told her.

Surprise went over her face for a moment. "Thank you, Cap-" She stopped. "Thank you, Ian."

"I only told them the truth, you're the one who has put in the effort."

He sat down and then raised his foot again. "What do you think of these? I don't mean to seem flippant, it's a serious question."

"While they are interesting, I suspect you will regret the choice once down there," she replied, frowning. "The surface might be quite hard on your feet without a good solid boot."

He looked at them. "You may be right. I'll try them out, but I'll take some real boots just in case. Feel free to change things up in the Captain's office, if you like. I've got a boring style, and it's been stagnant for a while."

Jaya nodded, but said nothing to that. "I wish you success on your mission."

"Thank you. It is a privilege to be going down there. I . . . I admit that I have an excitement over this opportunity. To be involved in First Contact is the kind of thing most of us always dreamed of. I wish the situation was not so dire for them. And I'm sorry you'll be stuck up here."

Jaya did smile now, just slightly. "It is a popular dream - but fortunately for me, it is not one I hold."