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Nemsara blinked and said, “Does this effect happen often?”

Aya could get enough from Devran’s mind to understand that he was genuinely enjoying the banter.

“The Terran effect? I have only spoken to one other, but she is with the eldest Hmrain. He’s happy to banter with her. We are a young species, just dipping our toes in the space age. Only select folk made it off world and onto the space station. The folk who were manning the station ran out of rations and died waiting after the end of the world. Those of us who survived are very much all or nothing. We are here to live the lives that were almost cut short. We don’t have time to quiver in the face of ancients or authority. We nod, we go through the motions, and we live. We save etiquette for the last resort. If they let us get away with it, we take that and run with it.”

Nemsara smiled and nodded. “That is what I seem to be seeing.”

“Apparently, the asteroid that killed my world was made of khimerion, so that is causing some personality traits to manifest as actual abilities.”

The captain and Nemsara looked at her in horror.

Aya reached for her water and finished it. “Psychic abilities weren’t common among my people, but I am hearing that a few of us have gone beyond what we were born with. I was always able to calm people, but the soothing was a few levels above that. I am guessing that the resonating energy gets the attention of some of the Hmrain.”

Devran smiled. “And others. Your mind is at a frequency very similar to mine. Kazi and his assistant have a similar frequency bond.”

The captain’s eyes were huge. “Another of her species is bonded to Kazi?”

Devran’s gaze was highly amused. “Yes.”

She stared at him. “Kazi has a human assistant?”

“Less human than she used to be, but yes.”

“That sounds weird.”

“I am aware that it is unusual for your people, but Kazi has always enjoyed the idea of an assistant. I believe this is his first in the last thousand years.”

“Assistant?” Aya asked weakly.

“I mentioned that my psychic presence is too heavy to walk some worlds. Kazi and others are the same. We don’t wish to harm those who beg for our help, so having an assistant who can carry part of us to the surface and act on our behalf is very appealing.”

Nemsara cleared her throat. “My lord, I will take my leave.”

The captain did the same.

Devran smiled and offered her his arm. “Shall we continue this discussion in my office?”

“You have an office that isn’t your bedroom?”

“Of course.” He smiled. “Let me show you how to find it.”

They walked through the ship, and she used what she had learned to memorize markers and locations. When they got to his office, she was greeted by two desks and comfy chairs. A tablet was on each desk.

She blinked. “I have a desk?”

“Of course.” He walked her around and settled her at her desk.

When he was seated at his desk, he turned to her. “Now, I was going to wait, but I want you to become my assistant. My avatar.”

“Okay. Why?”

“Because my energy can drive people insane, but you are taking to it very well. I am impressed.”

“What is your energy, exactly?”

“Ah, I am the lord of time.”

Aya paused at the Dr. Who jokes that ran through her mind. “A lord of time?”