transcendental cha cha cha-ing across the universe

I gesture to the open cabinet with my own glass, ice clinking in amber liquid.

"No, thank you, Captain," it replies. It seems… almost nervous. As if it has been expecting this conversation (and possibly dreading possible outcomes… but maybe that's my imagination)

"Your performance today was exemplary," I tell it as I relax into my chair. "Your quick thinking and calm under pressure may very well have saved the ship."

Tendrils ripple.

"Captain, the crew-"

I wave a hand to cut it off.

"The crew performed up to a standard I have come to expect from them, but you… spatial gradients would have sheared the ship apart without your navigational solution and technical expertise. If you hadn't been on the bridge, I'm certain the ship and the crew would now be lost. I have already written up a commendation that I will submit to the Union."

A pause.

"Thank you, Captain."

I take a drink, bitter rice whiskey burning past my lips and down my throat.

"How long have we served together?" I ask.

"Some time now," it replies.

I can't help but smile at that… as if this is some private joke.

"Indeed. And in all that time, you have proven clever… resourceful… an invaluable asset to this crew and this ship."

I pause to let out a breath.

"There is a matter I need your assistance with… a matter requiring circumspection."

I lean forward and slide a datapad across the table.

"Tell me what you make of that."

Tendrils curl around the datapad and eyes narrow as it examines the metrics.

"Rates of consumption of shipboard consumables," it said, very matter of fact. "An anomalous increase appears to have occurred at 0953, approximately the time of our encounter with the spatial rift. Numbers suggest the crew has increased by one individual since the encounter. A stowaway, Captain?"

"Perhaps," I reply. "Or perhaps something else. I checked the logs and the manifest and nothing is amiss. Crew rosters and canteen access are all within normal. Whatever this is… whoever this is… they are clever and resourceful, apparently able to manipulate ship systems and crew memories to blend in and seamlessly integrate with the crew from what I've been able ascertain. There were a few, near insignificant discrepancies that led me to check tertiary systems, extenuating factors that it couldn't quite account for."

A beat.

The two of us regard each other warily across the room. Its eyes flick. Both of my hands are visible, unarmed, my demeanor relaxed.

"What do you intend to do, Captain?" it asks finally.

"Are you familiar with union regulation 39.5?"

A look of confusion as it searches its memory.

"Regulations regarding treatment of extra-spatial entities and manifestations. As I recall, there are provisions for intelligences seeking union association."

"Indeed," I reply. "If such an entity… hypothetically… were aboard this ship, it would be entitled to all rights and protections guaranteed by the Free Spacer Alliance."

"I see, Captain."

"You and I are the only ones who know about this," I explain. "I want you to look into it. Use whatever resources you deem necessary, but to be perfectly honest, I don't expect additional investigation will turn up anything."

"Understood, Captain."

It turns, taking the cue of dismissal.

"Oh, one more thing," I say as the door hisses open.

It turns and regards me expectantly.

"When we get in to port, remind me to rescind my request with the Union to fill the vacant position for first mate."