"I'm willing to bet there's other creatures out there with the same powers Bob has," Kinner says. "Thinking like a human's what I'm used to, but meeting other intelligent species helped with that."

It's all he's ever done, but he's willing to try looking at things from other perspectives, too.

"I'm glad you enjoyed the fish, and I'm happy I could help." The cook puts the dishes away. "Hope to see you again. If you see McReady or Blair, tell 'em Joseph Kinner said hello."