Finally, N-XS spoke with Styx. The Gildarian was out of the Sick Bay, her clavicle repaired but now sadly asymmetrical.

"I see they washed the puke out of your hair," she joked.

"Is that some tubing sticking out of your pants or are you just happy to see me?"

N-XS realized she was happy to see her, but not in the way she had been happy to see Jericho or Smit or the Captain. She ran a routine scan to see if her emotional protocols were within normal parameters.

Systems nominal.

"I was so afraid I'd lost you," she said, and Styx smiled that perfectly symmetrical smile, her turquoise hair framing her perfect face.