The communication station beeped an alert. Delta Station to Beastship Evangeline. Dock at Gate Ten for unloading, please.
Affirmed, Connie replied, knowing it was only a formality. Tug would already have relayed the message to Evangeline, and she would already be responding even as Connie answered.
Well talk of this again, later, Tug said quickly, and surely it was only Connies nervousness that made his synthesized voice sound hurried and furtive. Tug switched intercoms abruptly. Captain John Gen-93-Beta! His voice rang out throughout all levels. Were docking. Your ship has come in! The heartiness in his voice almost sounded real. Best come chat with the docking crew while Evangeline and I perform the docking.
Within his quarters deep inside Evangelines body, Tug hunkered into position. Tiny anterior hooks secured him in position within his host. He drew his shortened forelimbs carefully down a nerve trunk. When the ganglion bundle bulged, he darted in to lock minds with her again.
[Docking with Delta again.]
Yes. Pay attention to the frequency emanations so you line up correctly.
[I do. Evangeline will have Beast time?]
Perhaps. Line up correctly.
[I do. Evangeline would like a mating.]
A mating? Tug decided it wouldnt fit into the schedule. He matched one of his modified nematocysts carefully to one of Evangelines nerve centers and expertly discharged it. So much for that impulse. He monitored her, felt her interest in mating fade as the inhibitor took effect. Docility returned to the Beastship.
[Docking with Delta Station. Tug will play a game with Evangeline?]
Later. If Evangeline docks well, and does not complain about the unloading, then Tug will play a game. Pay attention to the frequency emanations and line up to match them. Then you will dock well.
[Evangeline pays attention. Docking with Delta Station.]