Rhiow was pleased - this was going even better than she expected. "Tempers run high when something like this happens," she said. "People grieve, and grief can do strange things to one's judgement. Take the kit in the brig, the one who hit Shiva with the final blow - he's not a killer and it tears him apart that he's become one."

She had reduced the fish to a pile of scales, bones and fins by now and licked her whiskers, sitting back from the disgusting mess and beginning to groom fastidiously. "Shm'shh is also concerned that there will be a question of reliability of testimony during the hearing, and I agree. With a parasite of this nature, it's difficult to know who is speaking when. Any of the telepathic crew members could serve as a translator, myself included, but I thought I might advise you of the need of one."