"Humans aren't used to organic technology," says Lua'al-rei. "Our ancestors lost the original arts of our people, and had to develop them all over again. It's simpler to grow what we need than it is to force it into being. This way, please."

The lighting grows a little brighter as Lua'al-rei leads the two humans through a few short corridors. When they reach the end of it, the room's entire ceiling glows that soft blue-white, and much of the wall space is taken up by glowing purple-white disks. There are curved benches here that look a bit like they were meant as couches for bodies somewhat larger than the average human's, and panels in the wall or rising out of the floor that vaguely resemble sonar displays or something similar. "We're already descending," he says. "Are your ears at all uncomfortable? I'm told that may be a problem."