“She’s right about that, and I don’t say that lightly. Fio is vulnerable.” And Palamedes will mourn if Fio is sucked into the Captain’s machine and disappears, a day he fears will inevitably come. He doubts Ava would believe him if he said as much, though, so he leaves that matter where it is. “The Captain calls himself a scientist. As matters stand, he controls your fate, and whatever either of us might think of him, I imagine we both agree that that is a lot of power to give one person. Has he offered to look for a more permanent solution to your condition? If so, I wish you both the best of luck. If not…” He spreads his hands.

“I’m not asking you to choose sides. I’m asking you to let me help you so that you can actually make a choice.”