Dez nodded. “That’s expensive.”
“Very. Even the old NOAH ships can’t make those long distances anymore. The solar arrays are too degraded, and no one wants to manufacture them. And that assumes there would be sufficient solar energy to capture, and I’m not sure there would be.”
“Morgual—a planet near Din’ Gale—had processing plants for the recycling of old cells. Pretty toxic remnants in the frames alone, and the cells, once they degrade, aren’t really viable again.”
Cifer nodded.
“It’s funny. The NOAH ships were designed with the most advanced technology of their time. But no one considered the long-term impact of sending that—well, junk isn’t the right word, but…”
“Most of the ships connected to make the core for Cassan.”
“Hard to use solar panels with a distant sun. Could have settled the orbit closer to one or more of the solar systems, but they didn’t have any idea which planets would be successfully terraformed.”
“Unintended consequences. Morgual wouldn’t be quite the disgusting planet it is if they didn’t try to recycle or reuse those panels.”
“But if NOAH hadn’t used those panels, you and I wouldn’t be here.”
Cifer tilted his head and considered. “It’s possible life would have formed on these planets anyway.”
“A thing observed is a thing changed. Hawthorne effect.”
“What’s the solution?” Cifer asked. “Avoidance?”
Dez shrugged. “Patience and acceptance. There’s no avoiding the fact that your actions, even the mere act of observation, can have consequences you didn’t intend.”
Was Dez hinting at an effect from Cifer’s observation of Blaize?
“The best you can do is dampen the effect by taking considered action rather than reacting without a goal in mind.” Dez sat quietly after his say.
Cifer wasn’t sure if he agreed with Dez or not. So much of his life had required responding to the unexpected. The unintended consequences of someone else’s actions. Did the method really matter, as long as he achieved the outcome he required?
After another few moments, Dez stood and went to the door of the cell. “Take care with her.”
Did Dez mean “take care” to make sure they didn’t form a strong attachment? Cifer had no intention of hurting Blaize physically or emotionally, but he wasn’t ready to give up his life.
Cifer was still replaying his conversation with Dez when Blaize appeared. Her beauty took his breath every single time. Another reason he should keep their attachment as colleagues or at most friends—his appearance, his true self, did not make females gaze on him with desire. His current form was more useful, but what would be the point of starting a relationship or finding a life partner with whom he couldn’t be his true self?
Better to stay disconnected and avoid heartbreak or other unintended consequences. She was too fine a person on every level to hurt in any way.
“Feel like stretching your legs?”
If she had any idea how far he could stretch… “Sure. What’s on the agenda for today?”
His cell door opened, and she stood back. “Cable spot checks. I want to visually inspect every line we have. Usually, we’d do that in port on Cassan, but Cyra has other deliveries, so we won’t be there long enough. Figured we could start now, and with two people working together, we might have a chance of getting through most of the visual inspection before we land, and I can order anything we need. I know crawling around in tight spaces and getting dirty isn’t really appealing, but…”
Tight spaces and getting dirty with her actually sounded quite appealing. He grinned as he followed her through a corridor toward the crew quarters. She continued to explain her plan, and he let the melody of her voice flow over him.
“Sound okay?”
“Perfect.” He grinned with his lips closed to hide his teeth. “Where shall we start?”
She selected a tool from her kit, bent down, and opened a floor panel. Cifer appreciated the way her coveralls caressed her hips. She glanced up at him. “Ready?”
More than. “Yep.”
She dropped her legs into the hole, sitting on the edge.
Cifer sensed a hesitation. “Want me to go first?”
