"Ah, Doctor, I'd heard you'd returned from your field research. May I join you?" The figure peered in through the entryway of the control room. <br /><br />The person he was speaking to waved him in without turning, and touched a section of the control panel. "Give me one moment-"<br /><br />A light turned on, illuminating a completely blank room on the other side of the observation panel. "There. It's properly calibrated." She regarded her guest. "You're looking well, Illstrztr. I like the changes."<br /><br />"Thought I'd do something special to greet you." Illstrztr waved his fronds, their iridescent colors shimmering across the visible spectrum. "I understand the aliens see mostly in these colors."<br /><br />"Thank you for the effort, though I didn't bother to restrict my vision in our spectrum- it was only a few cycles, after all."<br /><br />"Well, I'm still curious to hear all about them."<br /><br />"Wait just a moment and your curiosity will be more than satisfied." In the observation chamber, a form shimmered, then solidified.<br /><br />Illstrztr gasped. "Is that one of them?"<br /><br />Doctor Brz'na laughed. "Sort of. It's the three-dimensional form I created while observing them." They both regarded the figure on the other side of the glass, its pale chest rising and falling as it stared blankly. "I named her Brieanna. In all physical aspects, it's a female of the human species."<br /><br />"You became <i>that</i> thing?" Illstrztr looked concerned, and a little ill.<br /><br />"Only partially, lover. My higher consciousness stayed in this dimension the entire time."<br /><br />"Well, why did you reconstitute that mindless husk anyway?"<br /><br />"For one, it was cluttering up my pocket dimension. Also, I thought your Biology students would want a chance to study the physiology of a primitive alien. You can do what you want with this facsimile without having to touch one of the real ones."<br /><br />"Always thinking of me, Brz'na."<br /><br />"Anyway, you should go down for a bit and interact with them."<br /><br />"In only three dimensions? Why would I want to do that?"<br /><br />"Four, Illzy... well, three and a half, at least. It's a rare opportunity- we don't meet such a unique species very often. I'm considering asking Command to let us share more tech with them, maybe even send an official delegation."<br /><br />"Unique? Oh, come on, Brz'na. Their vision is primitive. They're weak physically, they're not that smart, they're easy to manipulate, they can only move along one axis in the fourth dimension- what do you see in them?"<br /><br />Doctor Brz'na drew herself up to her full height, and spoke sternly. "Based on my research, Illstrztr, this species has an almost limitless capacity for creative perversion. In fact, it may even surpass our own. Yours included."<br /><br />Her companion looked startled for a moment, then thoughtful. "Why didn't you start with that?"<br /><br /><div>She kissed him. "I was rather hoping to surprise you by letting you discover it for yourself."</div><div><br /></div><div>He kissed her back. "You really are always thinking of me, Breez."</div><div><br /></div><div>"Of course, Illzy."<br /></div>