Noctis held a small flashfrozen sample up in a vacuum vial.

" I've begun working on attempting to cultivate our own strain," she said. " So far, I've been successful at isolating the component that interferes with neurological signals. I may be able to develop a cure for early stages of infection."

" That's not necessary," William said to her. " It won't be useful for negotiating with Sector 05."

" I see," she said. " What would you have me do, then?"

He spun idly in his rolling chair, leaned over the back.

" For now, picking it apart enough to figure out how it works is fine," he said. " We can focus on our longterm goals after the parade."

Her ear flicked.

" Commodore General... You care for that man, don't you?" she asked. " Are you going to allow them to send him back?"

He propped his chin up on his hand.

" You're not usually interested in talking about that kind of thing," he said. " It shouldn't matter how I feel about it. Nor is it your business."

" My apologies," she said. " I did not mean to overstep. I'll return to my work."

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