For a long moment they were motionless. Then Walt, keeping a suspicious eye on her until he was above the second ceiling continued to climb.
In the alien compartment, the gravity was so low that Walt almost floated. He propelled himself toward Forential's cubicle.
"Come in," Forential said, sensing him. Forential looked up when he entered.
"I saw a female Lyrian in the machinery room!" Walt blurted.
There was a moment of silence. Forential's face grew a shade paler. "... did she see you?"
Of course, Walt thought.
It was an effort for Forential to telepath in English. He preferred vocalizing. Staring at Walt with his faceted, unblinking eyes, he thought in his own language, a language earthlings were incapable of learning: **Lycan, you idiot! You told me the machinery room was clear! One of my charges has seen one of yours!**
**I have great regret,** Lycan answered. **I, I overlooked her.**
**We cannot risk the compartments discovering each other.** Forential thought angrily.