Sienar handed him a small, nut-sized silver vocoder connected by a flexible wire to a beautifully machined plasteel mouthpiece. He showed Tarkin how to insert the button into his ear and allow the moth piece to float just in front of his lips. Now they could hear each other. I once balanced these favors between opposing sides. Lately, my efforts have become a bit more lopsided.
Balance is no longer necessary.
Sienar stood before his old friend and listened intently. His tall, cleanly muscled body seemed to reject repose. Yes, and we employ nonhumans wherever they are useful, for now. But mark my words, Raith. Humans are the future .