“Welcome back,” said Rusa when Koven came into the bridge of the cruiser.
“Thank you. Did you miss me?” Koven asked.
“Yes,” replied Rusa. “I missed having someone to analyze.”
“Analyze?” asked Koven.
“It’s just a standard psychological profiling and use with predictive models of behavior. Nothing sinister or threatening. It is designed for me to anticipate your needs and assist you.”
“And what does your profiling tell you about me?”
“You’re a nice person. Historian awkward with some additional trauma from your early youth. I’ve reviewed your history and determined the source as the loss of your younger brother. While I am unsure of the details, I have determined that you hold yourself responsible for his death. This results in your being cautious and lacking confidence in your abilities. In an effort to avoid a similar failure, you avoid circumstances where you are responsible for others, even if it’s only for their emotional happiness.”
“Rusa,” said Koven, “please be quiet.”
“Avoidance is not the path to healing.”
“Shut up, Rusa.”
They sat quietly for a few tox while Koven reviewed the systems on the cruiser. When he had finished, he called up the holo of the latest message from Professor Wingut.
“Do you want to watch?” asked Koven.
“Watching it again might be helpful with your input.”
“You’ve already seen it?”
“I have access to all of your comms during a mission,” she replied. “I thought you knew this.”
“No,” replied Koven.
“It should have been included in my assignment briefing.”
“I didn’t read it.”
“That explains it, then.”
“Yes, it does,” replied Koven.
Koven was pleased to hear that the sociologists had been removed from Earth 7.
Rusa and Koven returned to the planet. Koven kept his eyes open for the first few moments of the journey, until the speed acted as a catalyst on his fear. Still, it was the longest he had ever watched a descent.
The palace was busier than usual. Banners were being put at the front of the temple.
“I wonder what the big occasion is?” asked Koven from the corner of the main temple as they watched a man working on a wooden scaffold as he put up large swaths of cloth.
“It appears to be a wedding is happening. And from the looks of it, I think the woman with red hair may be the bride,” replied Rusa.