Todd led the way, contently barefooted with her through the halls of the hive. They were both quiet, but it was a pleasant quiet. He once contemplated all the things he'd ask her and what she might ask him. But since he first saw her stepping out of the gate, he knew such questions and answers needed time.

The walk wasn't too long of one, still within the section of the ship that were devoted to quarters.

He stopped at a door and opened it up. The place was twice the size of his own, the walls lined with shelves of books of a variety of titles, many of them new and not the ratty dusty tomes of Todd's personal library. Seven large bean-bag like blobs were settled around the room. And on top of each of them was a young wraith. Very young. Five years physically. Four were asleep, the other three were awake and sat up when the commander entered. Six males, one female with short red hair.

"Commander!" the female said, getting off her "bed" and shaking the other boys awake.

"Evening sir." greeted one of the males, "Something wrong?"

"No, not at all." Todd shook his head. Once they were all awake he addressed them, "Young ones, this is Rogue, the human you were told about."