"I agree," says X, nodding absently as the narrow corridor they're in opens up into a slightly less narrow berth, with stacked beds and a metal table. "The thing is... the thing is, look at all the rust. It looks like it's been years. Something's happened to the ship, and if it's only an illusion, it's quite a permanent one."

Briefly, X considers testing that theory by touching the rust or some of the fungus on the edge of the doorway. The thought vanishes immediately in a puff of common sense.

"Your partner once what?" X asks as he continues practising common sense and continues not to touch anything.