Today was the day that Kastarak would have his first one-to-one meetings with the department heads. He would do them in order of seniority. Before lunch, he had met Mssrs Grey, Symar and Dawson. Now, after lunch, Kastarak would meet with Mr Batario.

Among all the relationships Kastarak would work on with the department heads, the one with Mr Batario would be the most complicated one. There had been intimacy – physical, emotional and sexual – between them. That could no longer continue. Kastarak wondered how that might affect their relationship, and moreover, how it would affect Mr Batario and his emotions and self-identity.

He waited for Mr Batario to enter.

– Lt Kastarak (First Officer)