The test had a maximum time to complete of 3 hours and Niall did it in just over 2. The basics were similar to a Human IQ test but with some key differences. Each section started with a basic question such as “rotate this shape to fit into another shape.” This then escalated into manipulating shapes to fit into objects and then manipulating ever more complex shapes to fit into more complex containers.

There were also advanced questions on calculating trajectories. They started as school level measuring of a circle’s circumference which worked it’s up to Hohmann transfer manoeuvres, calculating delta-V, fuel consumption and changes in orbital inclination. Niall could see why the average human would score poorly. Titan teenagers could get personal spacecraft and would be familiar with spaceflight as a matter of day to day, whereas most human teenagers could barely handle breaking distances. Other questions covered gradually escalating “odd one out” scenarios and solving ever more complicated rubik’s cube style problems. A lot of the questions contained massive amounts of irrelevant data that needed to be excluded before the question could be answered. Niall found the whole thing challenging but enjoyable.

“2 hours?! Is that because you couldn’t answer most of the questions?” Kiri asked sarcastically.

“Oh no. All answered, I spent about 20 minutes going over it just to make sure everything was correct.” Niall said with his signature smugness. Naskia giggled and Kiri shot her a look. She wasn’t pleased with Niall’s signature smugness.

“Just stay here, I should have the results through in a few minutes, ok?” Kiri said heading through to her room.

“How were you with the orbital mechanics stuff? I don’t imagine that would be something you would have encountered before.” Naskia asked looking a bit concerned.

“Don’t worry. Something I looked into before as a hobby, simple mathematics anyway.” Niall said. He was nervous about his results despite being outwardly confident. He had no idea how the test was scored and just how intelligent Kiri was.

“Nas! Can you come here please?” Kiri called through from the other room.

“Ok, we’re coming now.” Naskia called back.

“No no, just you.” Kiri said coming to the door way. She had a serious look on her face. Niall was trying to read if it was good for him or not but he couldn’t tell. He was uncomfortable being left out of the loop.

Naskia went through behind Kiri who had sat down at her desk. Naskia took a seat on the bed. Kiri held up her pad. It had the number 89 on it in large red letters.

Naskia laughed. “That’s a good bit higher than my score. What’s yours? Did he beat you?”

Kiri shifted in her seat looking uncomfortable. “Yeah, he beat me. Can we leave it at that?”

“Not a chance! You made a song and dance out of how your brain is so much bigger than he is so cough it up!” Naskia replied.

“79 ok?” Kiri said throwing her hands in the air. “Look this is serious. I was joking around with him and was being an asshole to wind him up but he’s one point off genius level. I double checked and it turns out the highest human score on record was 47 which was considered a low Titan level. The 34 was from a tame human and the 47 was from a wild one. You’re going to have to report this Nas, probably best to do it via the psychology department here at the University.”

Naskia smiled quietly happy that she was marginally above Kiri. Despite being a close friend they did bump heads occasionally during debates and Kiri always acted like she was far smarter. She decided it was best not to gloat.

“We really should be having this conversation with Niall.” Naskia said.

“I know you think you have to but you really don’t. He’s yours and he really doesn’t have a choice…..”

Naskia cut Kiri off with a sharp gasp. “I can’t believe you’re still acting like this! What is the average score needed to be recognised as an Imperial Citizen?”

“Well a species needs to average out between 40 and 50. It’s not done based on individual….” Kiri replied.

Naskia cut across Kiri again. She decided for Niall’s sake she needed to start asserting herself with Kiri. “You promised Niall you’d treat him as an equal if he beat you and he has! He beat me too! He beat most Titans alive! As far as I’m concerned he’s one of us and what happens to him is up to him.”

Niall was waiting nervously on the living room table. He didn’t know what was being discussed. He heard voices being raised which made him more and more nervous the longer they were in the other room. The door flung open and Naskia stormed out swiftly followed by Kiri.

“Tell him.” Naskia said standing straight beside Niall’s position on the table with her arms crossed.

Kiri sighed. “89….”

Niall perked up. 89 out of 100 seemed like it would be pretty hard to beat. It was a good bit above Naskia’s score.

“And!” Naskia snapped.

“My score is 79. So yes you beat me. Congratulations…..” Kiri said. She then walked around the table and plonked herself on the sofa crossing her arms in a sulk.

Niall wanted to jump up and down but he restrained himself in his usual typical manner. He puffed up his chest and turned to Kiri and extended his hand. “Good contest.”

He waited for Kiri to shake his hand but she just sat there with her arms crossed.

“Kiri!” Naskia chastised.

Kiri leaned forward and shook Niall’s hand with a finger. “Well done….” She said sounding a bit annoyed. “I said to Naskia earlier that your score is only one point off of genius level. Most of your answers were incredibly accurate. Most of the points you lost were from speed. It’s hard to say but you may have scored 90 or higher if you had more suitable equipment.”

Niall’s chest puffed up further hearing this from Kiri. His ego was inflating at the thought of being recognised as a genius by Titan standards.

“I’d like to bring you to the psychology lab and try to get an official project started on you. More accurately gauge your intelligence and see how your psychological make-up compares to that of our own. It could be used to get the Empire to reassess its views on Humans. Naskia says it’s your choice what to do. I really think it’d be the best thing for you….” Kiri continued.

Niall looked up at Naskia. She had her concerned face on again. This was the first time since he arrived here that he felt like he had some control over his own destiny.

“No offense Kiri but I’d rather stay with Naskia. We didn’t exactly get the best introduction and I don’t want to be studied like some lab rat. Maybe in a few weeks when I’m more comfortable and we know each other better I could come in with you.” Niall replied. He liked the thought of helping to change Titan attitudes at a government level but he wasn’t ready to trust anyone but Naskia yet.

“No! No one else can have him! He’s my ticket to becoming Dr Naskia Bass…” Naskia said jokingly. Both Niall and Kiri raised eyebrows not quite sure how to respond to Naskia’s joke. “Wow, maybe you should take him Kiri. Both of you have no sense of humour…”

“I have a sense of humour; that just wasn’t funny.” Niall said.

Kiri stifled a laugh. Naskia had a point in her joke. Maybe she wasn’t doing physics but being able to study an exceptionally intelligent and independent human could have advantages for her. But as long as Niall was her “equal” he would never consent to what she had in mind and Naskia would protect him. She needed to find a way of permanently separating the two of them.

“Oh well I’m glad I can be the mutual ground on which you two build your friendship.” Naskia said sarcastically. She bent over the table and picked up Niall by placing her hand around his chest and then sat down on the sofa with her feet on the table. She placed Niall on her stomach. Niall had decided not to complain too much about being moved unless it actively annoyed him or caused him discomfort. He liked that spot, it was warm and soft.

“Do you fancy just chilling out and watching something this evening?” Naskia said to Kiri.

“Yeah sure. Oh we get to find out what happens after last week’s cliffhanger!” Kiri replied putting her feet up too.

“Well I’ve no problem watching stuff either….” Niall said, annoyed at not being consulted.

“Sorry….I’m still used to it just being me and Kiri. We’ll let you know what’s going on. We really like this show, I’m sure you will too!” Naskia replied.

“Yeah sure….” Niall said “But if it’s rubbish then you’ll be getting me my pad.”

Kiri laughed.

Niall sat with the girls watching the Titan equivalent of TV. The show about several rich families competing with each other Niall described as “barely tolerable verging on drivel”. When it ended the three sat talking for several hours. Kiri was keen to learn about life on Earth. She was especially excited about Niall’s experiences growing up in a conflict zone. The Titan homeworld hadn’t seen war in thousands of years and the idea of gunmen in the streets and bombs going off was a totally alien concept to the two girls.

Kiri asked questions about normal humans. Niall had made it clear that he was not a normal human. He explained how development levels and culture differed across countries. Titans could travel anywhere on their planet whenever they chose and they had instant access to speak to people on other worlds. The concept of travel being something you planned ahead or not being able to communicate easily with someone on the planet they found baffling. Niall explained that with global travel and the internet, cultures were starting to bleed together and break down barriers. Kiri’s interest was particularly tweaked by this idea. Studying the development of human society could help to shed some light on development of Titan society.

Niall noticed Kiri was making a distinction between him and average humans. She appeared to be putting him on a higher level, equivalent to a Titan, but still treating normal humans as lesser. Niall was somewhat pleased to be gaining recognition from her but was still uncomfortable with her mind-set in general.

Niall decided to turn the tables and criticized what he felt was the bland, poorly written, poorly acted soap operas that he had been exposed to. He also pointed to what Naskia had said about the popular music in Titan society. Kiri fought back citing pieces of great art, some of it on a planetary scale. Niall discussed the variety on Earth, including art, plays, music, operas, dance and film.

“None of that matters to me. I haven’t seen it and I never will. Probably just a matter of personal taste anyway.” Kiri said hoping to dismiss the argument.

“Well why don’t we watch some?” Niall replied.

“We don’t have any, duh! No Human broadcasts have made it here.” Kiri replied thinking Niall should have known that already.

Niall laughed happy to be able to get one over on Kiri. “I had a device on me that contained quite a lot of films. Nas transferred them to my pad earlier. We can watch one now if you like.”

“Oh! I’d really like to see one!” Naskia said sitting up and clapping a bit. Niall was jolted and had to steady himself as her stomach muscles tightened when she sat up.

“I’d love to but I have a lot of work to catch up on. Think I’m going to hit the books.” Kiri said standing up and making for her bedroom door. “Another time maybe.”

“Sure, plenty of time. Good night.” Niall said.

“Goodnight you two.” Kiri replied disappearing into her room.

“Shall we go through to the room and watch it in bed?” Naskia asked yawning.

Niall was feeling a bit on the tired side. He’d spent most of the last 6 hours lying around on Naskia’s warm stomach and felt quite lethargic for it. He wouldn’t have minded doing some sort of exercise but it was getting to be quite late in the Titan day and Naskia was starting to look a bit sleepy.

“Sure, whatever works best for you.” He said.