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“How many did you take in a day?”
“You have seen the records.”
“I know, but it is astounding.”
“Eight on average. The timing of it depended on how far into their rut the guys were.”
“Always males?”
“Yes. There were other soothers who could work with females, but it is like focusing on one transmission channel. I can sense masculine lust and divert it.”
“What do you do with it?”
She steepled her hands. “I split it, divert it, break it into smaller tendrils, and let it into my mind. From there, it is just dismissed.”
He smiled. “Just like that?”
“I wasn’t going to do anything with it, so I let it go as quickly as I could.”
She was pretty sure he was smirking when she heard, “Very wise.”
His conversation changed direction. “When we meet with Kazi, we must present you a certain way. He is a stickler for rules and protocol. The formal wear he requires is difficult to obtain and cannot be created on this vessel. He requires organic materials and minerals.”
“Right, so where do we get that?”
His eyes crinkled. “Well, I already have such garb, so we need to stop at a small world on the way. There are seamstresses and weavers who will be able to assist.”
“Okay. So how far are they?”
“Six days of travel remain.”
“How long have we been travelling?”
“Thirty-five days. Once I had all the data, it was an easy decision to seek Kazi out. He is expecting us, but first, you must be dressed as per his protocol.”
“Do you travel a lot?”
“It is my natural state.”
“So you see new worlds?”
“I do. I take on new crew and others retire.” He shrugged.
“What is the average length of duty?”
“Eighty years. They stay as long as they want to and then leave to begin anew on a new world.” He shrugged.
“That... is a long time.”
“To use one of your people’s phrases, we have an amazing benefit package.”
“Yeah, I am going to keep my mind off your package.”
He paused, tilted his head, and then snorted. “Sex reference?”
“Four years draining lust out of Zowoth. It leaves a certain focus.”
“It must have been frustrating.”
