"Thanks for your understanding," Israfil said, glad that Mike wasn't feeling too awkward.  He decided that to be fair, he should reciprocate.  "Anything you want to know about me?"

[hr]
Maya entered her office.  Sion was at his desk, looking up he saw Maya, Blythe and Claire and asked, "Do you want me to leave?"

"No, actually, it would be best if you stayed," Maya said.  Sion raised an eyebrow and turned his attention away from his computer.  After everyone had entered, Maya closed the door and locked it.  "None of what we're about to discuss leaves this room," Maya said, looking for confirmation from the twins before sitting down at her desk.  "Please, sit down," she motioned to other chairs that stood around the room.

"Blythe," Maya began, "I was talking with your sister andshe's convinced me to be completely honest with you.  Our unit is being studied very closely by the scientists on board this ship.  Obviously, the cogs are new technology and we're test pilots, but there are some uncomfortable biases floating around that I want you to be aware of.  While both Lieutenant RHS and myself..." Maya looked over at Sion, who gave a noncommittal shrug, "...while both of us are aware of and appreciate the effort you've put in to be selected for this team, as well as the effort you have put into your training, many of the scientists think otherwise.  The truth is, your position on this team has always been precarious, part of the reason, I'm sure I don't need to tell you, is your tendency to be belligerent." Maya continued quicklylest Blythe retort, "However, that alone isn't enough of a reason.  After all, the scientists wanted someone with a more aggressive personality to see what kind of cog would come of it.  Unfortunately...the scientists don't like you because you're a Wildtype.  Your sister has less of a problem because she's compliant, and because they knew very early on that Asteria's ability was healing, a completely new technology that we simply cannot do without.  The scientists completely overlooked your actual piloting skill, and graded you based on your race and ability to take orders.  Honestly, they would have gotten rid of you, but there was a hidden system in both Nyx and Asteria that they were curious about.  It was the only thing that made them let you stay.  In the previous mission, you've demonstrated what that system is, the combination.  With this revelation, the scientists have deemed you 'worthy to keep' around.  I realize how utterly insulting this must all sound, but what this means is that you're no longer on the chopping block, and for me, that comes as a relief.  I never wanted them to get rid of you, you're a great pilot, and a capable soldier.  I'm telling you all this simply to be honest, as Claire put it, better that you hear it from me than find out about it later."