[center][i](Addressing the Delegation Team: [@IceHeart] [@Starlance] [@Zanavy] [@Xandrya])[/i][/center]

Vei remained impassive while Francesca explained. Only after she was finished, and no one else immediately added anything, did the alien speak: "...You came here only to explore?" An odd sound came out of her nostrils, something like a snort. Or a growl. "I don't believe you. You are lying. No nation in our history- our yours- has ever explored only for the sake of it. They explore to find new land to conquer." Each word is blunt and unapologetic, but spoken very slowly. And still Nick has that creeping suspicion of something odd in her speech. 

Then it clicks. [i]Our history- our yours.[/i] How could Vei possibly know the history of humanity? And that slow speech- she's not using a translator. She's speaking English. Self-taught English, from the sound of it. This isn't foresight, or holy magic. Vei has somehow learned the languages and history of ISA, before the [i]Prize [/i]ever came through the wormhole.

"Excuse me, Holy Vei," Nick begins, "but how do you know the history of our people?"

Vei smiled. "I am the Holy One. I know many things." She shakes her head, exactly as a human would. Is that natural, or has she learned human body language too? "I am the one asking the questions. You are the ones answering."

Nick glanced to his crewmates, quickly, for support.