Afterlight

Audio only; transcript follows

Parties involved

Subject, SCT [alias, human]

Interviewer, Justiciar Tra Fell [TF in transcription]

TF: We are recording. You may speak.

SCT: I just want to be clear, I’m happy to cooperate. I’m just not sure about the injection.

TF: It will not linger in your body and has no known deleterious effects.

SCT: Sure, but – So, I take this, and then I just tell you everything? It just… comes out?

TF: Yes. You were given literature to review.

SCT: I read it, it’s just still a bit… weird. And I’ll be speaking in my first language? I’m worried some of it won’t make sense – the sayings and metaphors. Are you sure you’ll be able to translate it? You can’t have many human translators.

TF: We are confident we can translate accurately. All languages require cultural context. We are familiar with the nuance we must bring to have an accurate understanding.

SCT: And what I say… I just wasn’t sure how much detail I’d be sharing.

TF: You will share all the information you consider relevant to your case.

SCT: And when you say all of the information, and when it said in the write-up that I would be unable to hold back on anything that might be… intimate…

TF: This is to prevent cultural norms from interfering with our findings. You are wondering if you will speak freely about any sexual encounters you may or may not have had with [REDACTED]. This interview is strictly confidential and is used only for the purposes of determining the merit of your case.

SCT: Right.

TF: I was informed that you are not shy around matters of sexuality, despite your species’ tendencies.

SCT: Right, no, it’s not about me. It’s just – I wouldn’t only be talking about me, and I’m trying to be…

TF: Please review this. [Transcriptionist’s note: Justiciar Tra Fell produces a signed contract for subject SCT to read] You will note that [REDACTED] has signed a disclosure agreement. He will be speaking with us as well.

SCT: [Non-verbal sound used to indicate resignation or frustration in this species] And once this is done, I’ll be able to speak with him?

TF: You have already had this information confirmed.

SCT: I’m just checking. It’s been… a confusing week. We thought this was only going to take a day or two, and just the initial discovery process was three – and we have a lot to talk about. We just really need a heart-to-heart. Oh, I should – that sounds violent, maybe? It means that we need to have an open and honest conversation.

TF: I was able to understand the implication of the metaphor. Humans have a single heart beneath their ribs; it is protected and often used as a figure of speech to refer to one’s internal feelings. You wish to speak with [REDACTED] about your feelings.

SCT: [Protracted silence] You could put it that way. Yeah, I’d say he owes me that much. How long do you think this will take?

TF: It is of no concern. You will not be aware of the time passing. You will simply speak to us until you have finished, and then you will be able to speak with [REDACTED], as you have asked to do.

SCT: [Non-verbal sound used to indicate resignation] Well, we might as well get started then.

[Injection administered]