I decided not to let slip what I suspected.

This could be a terrible mistake, but the chance to uncover critical information that could save Eshami, me, the ship, and even Pendown was too good to ignore.

“Everything is fine,” I said back. I introduced myself and Eshami, who seemed to be following my lead for now, but she was quite observant and could blow my cover if I didn’t act fast.

“And your name is…?”

She smiled broadly, adjusting her jumpsuit’s shoulder strap as she did so. “My name is Koriya,” she admitted with a giggle. “I’m the Ark’s communications officer.”

“Is that how we can understand you? Your compatriot whom we’ve already met used some kind of technology to speak to us.” I gripped my sword tightly. Was Eshami going to spoil things right here and now?

“Yes, I was gifted with…powers,” Koriya answered with another giggle. “I can understand all languages, and can even read surface thoughts…” She turned away from me and towards Eshami.

“Koriya?” I blurted out suddenly, pulling her attention away from my companion. She turned to regard me curiously.

“Yes, darling?” she asked with seductive eyes.

I could feel her glowing eyes boring into my core, trying to stir up feelings that I knew I didn’t have — to aid her, to protect her, to love her! I couldn’t risk these thoughts taking control!

NO!

I must keep Koriya focused on me, I repeated to myself over and over, until it became like a mantra in the back of my mind.

“We should look for those escapees,” I said as calmly as I could through gritted teeth. “Would you accompany us? Then we can head up to the safety of the Control Room.”

Eshami raised a curious eyebrow at me, and I hoped she understood my cryptic subtext. I tried to pick my words carefully, despite feeling like I was a hair’s breadth away from losing my mind.

“Which way did they go?” I asked her.

Koriya would likely either lead me on a wild goose chase or into a trap, so I decided it was best to make it a trap of my choosing.

“I saw them head down here!” she said as she took hold of my hand, guiding me down a dark hallway.

I steeled myself and gripped my sword tighter. “Lead the way then, Koriya…”