Emerald Flight: Homecoming: Buried Secrets (continued)

“I see,” Hofbauer finally said, stifling the lingering remainder of a laugh. “Say,” he said, suddenly brightening with interest. “Wasn’t she the one who was the alien?”

Hawkes expression hardened into granite. “Yes.”

Hofbauer appeared not to notice. “What was it like?” he asked, leaning forward with undisguised eagerness. “What was she like?”

Hawkes relaxed slightly. The change was probably unnoticeable to Hofbauer.

“She was agreeable to work with.”

Hofbauer stopped and stared at Hawkes for a moment before breaking into a deep chuckle.

“High praise from you,” he said. His face carried an expression of mock seriousness. “I think.”

“That’s it?” The doctor appeared genuinely incredulous that Hawkes would offer nothing more. “You serve with one of the few aliens in our Fleet, and that’s all you can say about it?”

Hawkes looked back silently at him.

Hofbauer grinned again, settling back into his chair as he realized that Hawkes would be telling him nothing else. He shook his head for several moments in bemusement before looking back at Hawkes.

“Okay, Geoffrey,” he said, finally taking on an air of seriousness. “Why have you come to see me?”