"I would like to see the doctor, please."

Zey looked up from her screen at the young priest standing in the doorway. Father Cathal Sair, her system identified him.

Zey puzzled over his request. "Come in," she said. "I don't see you have an appointment. Is this an emergency?"

The man smiled slightly. "No, I just developed a problem and thought I'd come in."

"Oh, I see. What is the nature of your issue?"

"I have a headache," Cathal said. "I know that's a rather silly issue, but it is quite distracting."

"Pain is pain," Zey said with a shrug. "Next time you can just send us a message on your way, and we can get you seen quicker. Just for future reference."

He nodded. "Thank you."

A drone appeared. It hovered, waiting, next to him.

"Since you're not a Union citizen, we require you give verbal permission for it to treat you."

Cathal frowned. "I am sorry, but I have a religious tenet that means I need an actual doctor," he said. "'The machine's hands are not man's' and 'the true hands must tend to the care of the body'."

Zey was surprised again. "I see, I didn't know about that. Dr. Y is-"

"I am, in fact, here," Y said, stepping from the back into the reception room. "Ah, hello Father Sair."

"Hello, Doctor," Sair said. "I must . . . well, Doctor, I mean no offense, but your hands are those of a machine, are they not? I think what I need is a doctor of flesh and blood."

Zey frowned, concern and confusion on her face as she looked to Y.

"That is quite understandable," Y replied. "Do not worry, I feel no offense. I shall fetch Dr. Zyzus for you, Father."

"I am in your debt," Cathal said, bowing. He glanced to Zey. "And yours, Nurse."

"Uh, sure?" Zey replied. She hadn't even done anything.

"Doctor Zyzus is on his way," Y said. "In the meantime, Father, I trust there is nothing wrong with me asking you some questions?"

"That would be fine," Cathal replied.

"How do you feel about the effect of the transdisestablishation doctrine on the relations of your religion with various governments?"

Surprise showed on Cathal's face. "I did not expect you to be aware of the transdisestablishation doctrine, doctor."

"I have read your holy books," Y replied. "As well as the Nine Commentaries of Atticus, the Reverence of the Holy Void by Lance, and the next fifty-seven classic suctres on your religion, and all relevant supplementary material. Your beliefs are very interesting."

A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

Cathal smiled. "And here is where I must wonder if the mind of metal is equal to the mind of man in the ways that truly matter?"

"A paraphrasing of Occiduseus in the NeoLatin Annals. It is an interesting question, I agree. What level do supplicites read it, tenth or twelfth? There were conflicting sources."

"Tenth originally, but the Seventh Council of Quanna changed it to the twelfth." Cathal then bowed. "I feel myself truly humbled at your mastery, Doctor. Might we continue this discussion another day? Time is not on my side today, and my mind does not work as fast as yours."

"Of course," Y said amiably. "I shall leave you in Nurse Boziak's skilled care." The machine-body of Y turned on its heel, walking into the back.

A silence descended, and while Cathal looked completely calm, Zey found herself feeling awkward.

"I hear you guys use a lot of incense," she said.

"Sometimes," Cathal replied. "The smoke is calming."

"It's also bad for your lungs. You ever think breathing in all that could be the cause of your headache?"

"No," Cathal replied, his tone nearing sharp, and his face certainly turning so.

Zey leaned back, surprise on her face. She hadn't meant to insult the man.

She looked at her system; Zyzus was still five minutes out. He'd been in another part of the ship, but was on his way.

"Have you and Apple been spending much time together?" she asked, hoping to turn the conversation to a more pleasant direction.

"Ah, you know her yourself, yes? I understand you two became friends on Ko," Sair replied.

"That's right," Zey said, noticing how he'd flipped the question around to her. "Has she told you about it?"

Sair's eyes went distant, and he frowned. "I apologize, but thinking of Ko - it's saddening, isn't it? I wish I had been allowed to go down to the world. I might have brought life and salvation both to more people there."

"I know that it was a very hard selection process," Zey said carefully. "It wasn't just a matter of caring or I think most of the ship would have been out there."

Sair smiled sadly. "And yet I could have tried. Now the souls of the !Xomyi people are confined to the endless void for all time."

Zey frowned a little, stepping back and moving to look at her computer screen. It was only to seem like plausible work.

"Have you ever thought of your soul and its fate, Nurse Boziak?" Cathal continued. "I know you are from Gohhi, not the Union, and so spirituality may not be an alien concept to you-"

"How did you know I was from Gohhi?" Zey asked, her face going stark. "I don't tell people that. It's not even public information. Did Apple tell you that?"

"Apollonia is a trustworthy person," Cathal replied. "One beetle simply recognizes another."

Zey felt her panic fade, and the man's easy, calm smile made her sudden alarm seem silly. He was also from Gohhi - she could have guessed that about him, from his accent. A different station from hers, one of the less pleasant ones.

The door from the hall opened, and Dr. Zyzus came in. He sighed. "Father Sair, I understand you requested my presence?"

Sair turned, bowing slightly. "I apologize for the annoyance, doctor. My religion simply makes my options for medical care somewhat narrow."

"I understand," Zyzus said. "Well - come now, Father. I will get you a cure for your headache."

Zyzus went into an examination room, Cathal following him.

Zyzus's weary mask disappeared in an instant.

"I was concerned when you asked to see me so suddenly. Is all on schedule?" the doctor asked.

"The preparations are proceeding well. The ritual will coincide."

"It must," Zyzus said. "This is our only chance to make it so. Is the takwin prepared?"

Cathal's face dropped slightly. "I have . . . prepared it, as you wished." A flicker of emotion went across his face. "But must we take this course?"

"What other is there to take? We need just one more," Zyzus said. "You know this."

"I only think that there may be other options, of greater value. With your permission, I will make preparations for other eventualities as well, and come the time-"

Zyzus let out a frustrated sigh. "Prepare," he said, waving. "But the final decision will be made later."

"Thank you," Cathal said. "I . . . I wish for there to be another choice but for Apollonia to die."