“Yes, why is that?”  Siasi loomed over the table, directing a familiar glare at Morris.  “We were told we were under arrest and being taken to a Camelot.  This is Mehen.”

Morris swung one leg over the bench to straddle it, so she could better look up at the towering jhenok.  “Because, Miss Siasi, we’re all very much hoping to get a look at anything the four of your companions may have on their pads that isn’t on the Harrison’s drives.  Given that they just spent a year on your home planet, we expect that to be a lot.”

Lana set her cup down and shut her eyes in a quiet, exasperated sigh.  There were things on each of their pads that she’d hoped to keep a bit quieter than would be possible if they were directed to give them all up.  Most of all, she’d counted on being able to talk around their involvement in the war.  She took a gamble.

“We’d be happy to transfer any relevant data; recordings, pictures, written notes, but a lot of what we have is personal accounts.  Nothing relevant to a military expedition.”

She could feel Poole watching her from the door.  Morris cast a glance over towards him, and Lana caught the slightest hint of a nod.
“Well,” she said, “I’m afraid that you don’t exactly have a choice in the matter.  You are being called in for questioning, and this makes everything you have about your experiences among your fine alien friends very, very relevant.

“And even if that weren’t the case,” she continued, “I did mention that I’m the corporate stooge of the operation here.  You see, the Second Mehen Expedition is being bankrolled by Teraxus in collaboration with the Interplanetary Security Forces that your friend Tobias Poole over there represents.  And believe me, Teraxus Security Solutions has a vested interest in any world and race beyond our own now that we know such a thing exists.  Can’t make people feel secure if we don’t know what’s out there, after all.”

Siasi’s claws squealed against the plastic tabletop as she clenched her fists.  Lana tried to keep a scowl from her face as she looked back up at Morris.  “I have no intent to let you monetize fear of the first alien race we’ve ever come into contact with.”

“Oh, hardly the first,” Morris laughed.  “The first intelligent race, of course, but not the first.  Wasn’t the first alien lifeform discovered during your lifetime?  Well, the earlier part of it, that is.  Under Europa’s ice?  We didn’t stop finding various critters, not at all.  Your next stop, Camelot; home to plenty of nasty sorts.  Not in the populated areas, thank goodness, but they’re certainly out there past where the sun disappears, crawling over the ice.

“But we’re not fearmongers, Captain,” she said, her voice turning playfully conspiratorial.  “The jhenok are new and exciting.  People are going to be afraid of them, and people are going to be excited by them.  Loathing, maybe a little lust,” she winked, “it’s all the natural cycle of discovery.  Teraxus isn’t in the business of making people afraid, we offer ways to feel safe.  And what better way to make sure everyone feels safe around the jhenok than by making sure we have as much information at our disposal as possible?  I mean, all four of you felt safe enough to leave Mehen with them.  I’m sure whatever’s on your pads could only make others feel the same way.”

As Lana took a breath to respond, Morris cut her off again.  “You are, of course, being subpoenaed for the information, and you have no legal recourse to refuse.  We’ll finish up here and get you four over to the Harrison to transfer everything.”