The Game, part 1

While the 24-chromosome, mind-connected Vuduri have no natural ability to lie, the Essessoni, the people from our time period, have do not share impediment. As such, having spent several years with Rei, Rome has learned to lie, when necessary, to achieve her goals. Here she teaches Junior, MINIMCOM's son, how to lie as well in an effort to save her son and mother:

     After an interminable period of time, the quiet shushing sound of the null-fold star-drive diminished then stopped. Rome could hear shouting in the cockpit. Ionelli stuck his head out of the cockpit arch and said, “Bierak, can you fly this ship?”
     “I’m no expert,” Rei said. “But she is.” He pointed to Rome.
     “Mrs. Bierak, would you come up here and talk some sense into this ship,” Ionelli said in exasperated tones.
     Rome squeezed Rei’s hand and stood up. She walked forward and entered the cockpit, taking a quick survey of the situation. The ersatz vessel was tucked in the far corner. Keller was sitting in the co-pilot’s seat, banging on the front console and cursing. Rome took her place in the pilot’s seat and waited until Keller calmed down.
     “I will tell you what to say,” Rome said mentally, “Just follow my lead. Tell me you are afraid of running into the planet. Make it convincing.”
     “What is the problem, Junior?” she asked out loud.
     “I am afraid of running into Deucado,” Junior replied through the grille mounted in the front of the control panel. Just the right amount of fear seeped into his voice.
     “When I ask the next question, just answer luck.”
     “How were you able to get to Earth then? Weren’t you afraid of running into that planet?”
     “It was luck,” Junior replied. “I took a good guess.”
     “Do you see how to play this game now?” Rome asked.
     “Yes,” Junior replied.
     “Would you feel more comfortable using a regular PPT tunnel then?” Rome asked out loud in a soothing tone.
     “I would,” replied Junior. “Except I have never done it before.”
     “Tell them you need me to pilot.”
     “Auntie Rome, can you pilot me in?” asked Junior.
     “Of course,” Rome said, patting the grille. Rome turned to Keller. “Is this acceptable to you?”
     “I don’t care,” said Keller. “Just do it.”

The point here is that Keller and his cronies can't know that Rome is coaching Junior. They have no choice but to believe the baby spaceship really doesn't know what he is doing. After all, he is the very first of his kind. Tomorrow, we'll see how Rome exploits this deceit.