"Where do you want to go?" Lotee asked Etaine.

"I don't know. It's so strange to walk around and not worry about being killed at any moment. You know what I mean?"

"I guess so. I worry about getting shut down."

"I was born a ghost, but that didn't matter to the devourer. He eats anything at all. He doesn't care if you're dead or alive."

"Aren't you like Greyla in most ways?"

"Strange, you'd think I would be. But you can see I'm not. I'm me. I'm crazy and creepy Widhbo says. Greyla's not like me at all."

"You are doing much better now, Etaine. In fact I think you’re quite sane most of the time," Lotee said. He gave her a fond look as they walked together down a deserted corridor.

Etaine moved closer to him. She made her face radiant with a soft glow of light. "It's sweet of you to say so. Since we met, I almost feel I can live a normal life. Tell me about yourself, Lotee."

"I don't recall very much. I'm just a hologram. I don't even know if this is the first time I've been activated or not. If they turn me off, I doubt that I'd come back as your Lotee."

"Then I won't let them," Etaine said, a dark shadow moved across her face, but she brushed it away. "I'm not going to think about that." She stopped and gazed dreamily at him. "You are mine, aren't you? You're not seeing anyone else?"

"Certainly not! Who would I see anyway?"

"I don't know, but I can sense intimate, passionate things happening behind closed doors all over this ship."

"That's preposterous!"

"No it's not. These elders aren't nearly so disciplined as they pretend. Look at Bethon.” Etaine prodded. “You take everything at face value, Lotee. You have to learn to look deeper, read between the lines."

"I suspect I'm not programmed for that. I have to admit that I’ve had some reservations where Admiral Bethon is concerned. He behaves erratically when he’s been drinking and I notice that he’s been drinking quite a lot."

"There you go. Hold on to that feeling. You might even learn to be more empathic. I could teach you." Etaine placed her hand inside the image of his, pretending to hold it.

"I just want to learn to be solid enough to really hold you someday," Lotee said.

"I don't know any programming, but Hal and Greyla do. With their help perhaps we could figure it out."

"The elders would never permit you to tamper with my program," Lotee said, a forlorn look on his face.

"Who’s asking their permission? And they could just make a new HT432047 to run errands for them."

"The ancients frown on replication. They aren't allowed to have duplicates running all over. The master files are for replacement purposes only."

"So where do they keep your files?"

"In the vaults, but you're not allowed in there."

"Oh I know where the vaults are. I've already been there."

"You shouldn't have told me that, Etaine. Now I'll have to turn you in." Lotee stopped, took a step back, and gave her a stern look.

"Turn me in? To whom? For what?"

"Admiral Bethon of course. For unauthorized entry to a prohibited area. You were instructed specifically to stay in the guest area. Don't you know the first thing about protocol? I have to follow orders."

"Fine. Turn me in then. I'm not afraid of him."

"I don't want to."

"Then grow a spine, Lotee! What's the worst that could happen? They shut down your program? Nothing new there."

“I’m only afraid of being shut down because I won’t remember you if they bring me back online.” Lotee frowned and flickered. "Tell me you didn't do anything wrong and I won't have to report it. I can issue you a warning. Assuming he doesn’t already know. Admiral Bethon knows everything."

"I swear that I did nothing wrong," Etaine said. “I would say I was overcome with curiosity. A nut case like me has no self-control. Things got out of hand, and I misbehaved terribly, but I didn’t harm any of the files in the vault. I'd love to say that to Bethon’s face."

"I'm tempted to turn you in just to hear you say it." Lotee replied and laughed. He wasn't used to laughing and it felt strange.

"That's the right attitude! I like it when you laugh. Let's go find a game park!" Etaine said with mischief in her voice. “You do have areas programmed just for recreation?”

“We do. We call them leisure centers. I can take you to one. No harm in that."

"I learned a lot about being a ghost in a game park on our ship. It makes it so much easier to experiment," Ettaine said adding a little skip to her stride. "I bet you could learn to be more solid."

* * *

Lotee had taken them to a leisure center which looked much like any city park with benches and fountains.

"I can't do it. It's not possible,” Lotee protested.

"You're not trying Lotee," Etaine said. "If Hal can be a rock, you can be a real man."

"I don't know how to begin. Explain how you can you be a ghost and still be solid?" Lotee asked

"I think solid thoughts. Walk over to that tree and let it bash you in the face."

Lotee walked up to the tree in the playground but simply passed through it.

"Not like that! Make it hurt."

"I don't want it to hurt."

"That's your problem. Being solid hurts sometimes," Etaine said.

"The tree's no good. It’s scary. I need something easier to start. What else could I try?"

"Smash into that rock."

"I'll do no such thing."

"Do you want to be with me or not?"

"Of course, I do. It's just not possible."

Etaine turned purple with frustration. She tore a small branch off the tree and hit Lotee over the head with it.

"Ouch! That really hurt Etaine."

"Good! I'll make you solid yet."

She whirled around him thrashing him soundly with the limb from every direction, until he grabbed it away from her.

"Stop it! Stop it I say!"

Etaine laughed and skipped around him. "You did it, Lotee. Look, you're holding it"

Lotee looked down at his hand holding the limb. He swatted back at Etaine playfully. She ran from him shrieking with laughter.

He caught up with her, threw her to the ground and kissed her. He stroked her hair and they both enjoyed a warm embrace for the first time.

"We've done it. We're really touching, Etaine"

"Let's see if you can stay solid out of the park." Etaine got up and pulled Lotee to his feet.

"Oh no, I can't be seen this way. I’ll be in violation of my protocol," Lotee protested.

"I don't care. I want you to stay just like this. Do it for me, Lotee. Why should they care?"

"It's simply not in my program." Lotee consulted his information file for updates.

"I want a solid boyfriend. There's no harm in that."

"It's time for me to report in at the command console for my orders. I'm going to get in a lot of trouble over you."

"Everyone gets in trouble now and then. It's the measure of having fun."

They left the leisure center and Etaine followed Lotee to the bridge.

"You're not supposed to be here Etaine. What if we run into Colonel Munaci again."

"Well, it can't be worse that running into Admiral Bethon. There he is now,"

Bethon turned around when he heard Etaine speak his name.

"What's going on here?"

"Reporting for duty, Sir," Lotee said coming to attention.

"Let me handle this Lotee,” Etaine said. “I just want to remind the Admiral that he took one of our party, ripped him to pieces and punched him full of holes. Whereas I have taken one of your crew and made him better. Solid." Etaine squeezed Lotee's hand and wouldn’t let go. "It appears you’re getting the best end of the deal, Admiral,"

Bethon clenched his jaw and drew in a breath before responding. "Lotee attend to your duties.” He gave Etaine a hard stare. “Etaine, you are not a member of this crew and you not allowed on the bridge without invitation. I will grant you this one favor in return for your services as an empath. Lotee may have solid status."

Etaine bounced in the air and whirled with delight. "Oh, thank you Admiral. Lotee, you're solid now, really solid!" She squeezed Lotee's hand so hard, her hand almost passed through his.

"And you will keep silent in the presence of everyone except your companions unless a ranking officer on this vessel orders you to speak. You are to always remain on the guest grid in the future. If I find out otherwise you will be confined to your quarters.

"I promise. I promise... Oh, shut up Etaine." she grabbed both her shoulders, trying not to bounce.

"I know about your unauthorized exploring earlier. Inform your companions if any of your party should be found in the vaults again, there will be severe disciplinary action. Is that clear?"