So what you're saying is that we couldn't teach each other our first languages if we wanted to? Everything we say is being...translated by the program, into a language neither of us actually speaks? [That's profoundly disturbing to her, and it shows on her face. Strange things happening around her she can cope with, but happening to her? That's different. How is she supposed to know if the translation is even accurate?]

Partnership contracts always have an end date, but people can renew them if they want to stay together, the contract doesn't have to end. A contract without end seems strange to me. What if they lived another century, and grew to hate one another? What happened to Kichou, when you were partnered? I don't think I could have that sort of contract with someone in my department. If I cared that much about them, how could I send them into danger? And if I keep them safe, how is that fair on everyone else?

[Maybe he'd be less sentimental about it than she would be, if in his culture it's all nothing but politics. On the next point, though, she's very firm.] If I were captain, I wouldn't take any pregnant women - and no children. Nobody below twelve standard years. [Yes, that's her cut-off.] I'd tell them to wait. One of our duties is to protect other people so that they don't have to fight. Everyone should have the choice not to, man or woman. I agree with you there. Why did he want an all-female unit, anyway? There's no need for separation. Separate washing facilities, that's all. Otherwise they can fight alongside the men. [Ari's understanding of warfare is considerable, but it's very much limited to the kind involving starships.]