He's right

The human sat in stunned silence. He probably thought he was clever for that coat trick...he was, for a human. Maybe for any other Nova, too. As the door opened, Alpha stepped through with anger flickering across his face. Big worrier he is.

<You hung up on me.>

<You were nagging.>

<What makes you think you're allowed to do what you want here?>

<Because that's what the elders put me here for? I made something for my sister. Bring it to her, okay?> He pushed the sphere at Alpha.

<Chrit->

<I like Nebula. Not their word for it, though, it sounds too...mushy.>

<I am not calling you that.>

<Why? It's a nickname. I've read they have those here.>

<We are not them.>

Nebula scoffed. <We're more them than not...more than you and the elders like to think anyway. Have you even looked at their DNA? They have only one chemical difference, and it could probably mix pretty well with ours.>

<You're talking about an abomination.>

<Hey, I'm not the one who should worry about that.>

Alpha flickered with panic, and embarrassment. <How...>

<I wasn't asleep all that time...just long enough not to have to hear you copulate.>

<We weren't speaking anything you understand!>

<Quit fooling yourself, I learned three of their languages last week. I'm not about to let my sister know something I don't.>

<Then you->

<He doesn't know, don't worry. I won't tell him...or my sister. They're building something.>

<No. They aren't.>

Nebula laughed openly. <Really? You think either of them will give up that fast? She's more stubborn than I am smart, and that's not a weak statement. Him? I don't see him giving up either.>

<Something will be done if they try anything.>

<Why? To keep their officials happy? You and the elders are making too many sacrifices for them...just get that to my sister.>

Alpha gave a glow of affirmation, and Nebula slammed the door. He turned and saw the human staring with his mouth open. He must have understood at least the general idea of what just happened. Nebula cracked his knuckles and smiled.

<See? It's all okay.>

The human flashed all sorts of questions about safety, danger, and cheese.

He didn't know he asked that last one.